Green space
Study says preservation cheaper than residential; ballot proposition eyed
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Green space, such as this lot on Tonawanda Creek Road, is becoming more scarce, according to Council Member Bill Kindel. A proposal for a bond approval would allow the Town to purchase space and preserve it. He estimates 80 percent of Amherst is developed. Photo by Jim Smerecak Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Land preservation is something that needs to be addressed now, Council Member Bill Kindel said. And that "now" may come in the form of a ballot in November.

Kindel has been pushing to have a proposition placed on the Nov. 6 ballot seeking resident approval for a $12 million bond to be used to purchase vacant land.

"You hear about urban sprawl and this plan is economically sound. It protects nature, helps flood control and we save money doing it," he said. "It should have been done 30 years ago but better late than never."

In addition to saving green space the plan also makes economic sense, he said.

A study by the Amherst Planning Department analyzed five vacant parcels and found that, in one case, a 54.4 acre parcel would cost $192,624 annually for services to 174 housing units, compared to $124,279 annually to purchase the space, a savings of $68,345.

Kindel

The study does not include information on the amount of taxes brought in if that land was developed.

Recently the results of a study by the Planning Department were presented to The Amherst Bee, by Kindel.

Next, Kindel will be seeking four votes at the Aug. 6 Town Board meeting to allow a public hearing be held on Aug. 20 in regard to his proposal for a proposition.

"Amherst is 80 percent built out," he said, adding that saving open space was always a "nice thought" but the question was could the town afford it.

He says yes.

According to the research collected, cost of services, especially schools, costs more in a residential development than vacant land.

Assistant Planning Director Gary Black said for residential properties the cost for a 174 units is more than the revenue brought in - thus costing the Town more.

Fox & Company had done a Cost of Servicing/ Revenues Generated Land Use Study for the Amherst Industrial Development Agency in December 2006 analyzing the difference between expected revenues and expenditures. It included all units of government, town, county, village and school.

"As shown in the (study), for every $1.00 in revenue generated by open land, $0.60 in local government services is provided. In contrast, for every $1.00 in revenue generated by residential development, local government expends $1.11 in services," a report submitted by Planning Director Rick Gillert on July 27 stated.

The study also concluded that purchasing open space can reduce costs to the town.

"At $15,000 an acre, the annual cost to purchase the property, including interest, is $150,000. This represents a savings of over $200,000 than if the property

were to be developed as residential," the report stated. "Over 20 years, approximately $4 million would be saved."

The Town of Clarence approved a proposition in November 2002 that gave approval to borrow as needed, up to $12.5 million. Approximately $3 million has been spent for land preservation.

"We are very pleased with it," Clarence Supervisor Kathy Hallock said. "Some people think we are moving too slow, but we are making sure the properties meet the expectations."

Kindel said he wants to see the bond approved because some land has already been sold for development that he would have liked to seen preserved. He also believes that Amherst has all the stores, restaurants and services it needs, and now it needs to save the land that remains.

He estimates the bond would be paid off in 20 years.

"Residents don't get many opportunities like this to decide the future of what your town is going to be," Kindel said. "Put in in the people's hands. Let them decide."

He added that some of the money would be used to create small parks in already urbanized areas. This could include removing pavement and replacing it with grass, creating "pocket parks."

"The proposition fits so many nice aspects," he said.

Most of the available land is in north and east Amherst. Should the proposition be put to vote, and passed, the money would be spent on land available for sale and deemed open space from that date forward.

The Amherst Town Board has already approved one proposition for the November ballot to decide if the deputy supervisor had to be a council member. In a poll taken on AmherstBee.com, voters said 'yes' with a vote of 63 percent.