Green space plan criticized for lack of information
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Opponents of the proposed $12 million bond for open space aren't against land preservation, just how the Amherst Town Board plans to go about it.

A public information session was held during Monday's meeting in which 24 residents spoke about Councilman Bill Kindel's proposal to put a referendum on the November ballot. If passed, the town would bond $12 million to be used to purchase open space.

The earliest the board could vote is the Sept. 4 meeting.

While most residents said they supported the proposed referendum, others claimed it was too soon, some accusing Kindel of using it as leverage for his re-election.

Joseph McIvor, vice president of the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association, said he was offended by the claim that green space is cheaper than residential.

Presenting his own calculations, he said the reports by Fox and Company and the Amherst Planning Department on the cost of land use aren't complete and in part are assumptions.

McIvor also questioned the need for bonding $12 million when the majority of open space is in northeast Amherst and already zoned for agriculture.

"You would have to rezone it so it could be developed," he told the Town Board, adding that the land doesn't have sewers and is mostly wetlands, so developers wouldn't want the space.

"Why raise the cost to taxpayers?" he said.

The speakers who didn't want to see the proposition on November's ballot said more time was needed to investigate the matter.

Colleen DiPirro, Amherst Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer, said the current proposal puts the cart before the horse.

"We should not be so flippant by affixing such a hefty speculative price tag that ultimately will be paid by the taxpayers," she said. "As such, no referendum should be placed before the voters without a thorough analysis to identify the appropriate parcels of land that fulfill the criteria."

DiPirro added that once the analysis is completed, then the cost can be determined.

One of the main unanswered questions was which parcels would be purchased. While an open space index is being drafted, a prioritized list has not yet been completed.

The adopted 2007 Comprehensive Master Plan calls for an open space acquisition program. With the town spending $500,000 to complete the Master Plan, several speakers said they wanted to see the same scrutiny applied to the land acquisition portion.

Several members of the Amherst Conservation, Recreation and Parks Foundation spoke in favor of the proposition. Secretary Sally Metzger presented a statement on behalf of the group, which cites the many benefits of open space, including recreation, flood control and limiting urban sprawl.

Other speakers recognized a need to have money in the bank for when land becomes available. Jerry Schaad said the board needs to seize opportunities.

"We need to take advantage of opportunities to make Amherst a better place to live," he said, adding the that the town has already missed out on a few parcels.

Richard Lucas of Eggertsville had the same thought, telling the board that the town can't afford to lose any more open space.

Two of the board members voiced opposition to the plan as currently submitted. Shelly Schratz said residents need to be given all the information before they can be asked to vote in November.

Her resolution, "Say No to the Referendum," failed during the committee reports section of the meeting, in which she was asking that a proposition not take place without prior study, plans for the public to review, identification of specific areas and parcels, and full cost benefit analysis.

"Taxpayers have a right to know exactly what they are buying," she said.

Supervisor Satish Mohan also voiced his opposition, saying there was no urgency at this point and to wait six months.

"The land will not vaporize," he said, adding that he questioned why the figure was set at $12 million, which he said would raise taxes 2 percent.

Mohan said that according to the Master Plan, 18.9 percent of Amherst is vacant land, and 10.8 percent is recreational and open space.

Kindel held a press conference prior to the Town Board meeting in which he addressed some of the questions.

He said that the town has paid only the appraised value of a parcel, and the town would purchase land from willing sellers.

If the board approves a resolution to place the item on the November ballot, residents would decide if $12 million should be bonded for land acquisition.

In other board news, the public hearing for the rezoning request at 218 and 230 Maple Road has been changed to Monday, Sept. 4.

• The board approved the final acceptance of Collingwood Estates, a subdivision that will be built near the intersection of Stahl Road and Millersport Highway.

• The next Amherst Town Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Town Hall, 5583 Main St., Williamsville. The date was changed due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 3. For agenda information, visit www.amherst.ny.us.