Vacant properties shouldn't be ignored
Bee Editorial
Land development is the biggest issue in Amherst and has been for years. But the one question often raised and not really addressed, is vacant property. Whenever a developer proposes a brand new building, residents respond, "What about all your empty buildings?"

Is letting the developers build new buildings without taking responsibility for vacant spaces irresponsible? Supervisor Satish Mohan thinks so. He said he will go as far as to propose another resolution - the first one failed - to make developers accountable for their existing developments. During Monday's Town Board meeting, he vocally drafted the resolution he plans to submit.

He is considering a clause in the town's development policy that if 10 percent of the town's parcels are vacant, then no new development proposals would be accepted. He went on further to say that if specific developers had 5 percent vacancies, then their proposals would not be considered.

Is he onto something? I'm sure the developers will have a lot to say in opposition to such a resolution - if it ever makes it onto the board agenda.

In some areas of Western New York, empty storefronts are contagious - starting with one business, spreading to more and ending with an empty plaza. Empty sections of town are often related to increased crime, rodent infestations and eventual structural issues.

There are many beautiful developments in town, but there are also many ugly, empty spaces. The Vix at Maple and North Forest roads, and the Ames on Sheridan Drive (which the Planning Board has approved for a Wal-Mart) are two examples of existing vacancies being ignored while green space is developed.

"We need to develop the town for future generations, not just this generation," Mohan said.

Isabell Berger, who lives near the proposed Maple Road Town Centre project, said it didn't take her long during her tour of the town to find numerous vacant parcels - ranging from large to small, and old to new.

Building Commissioner Tom Ketchum said the number of vacant parcels fluctuates monthly, adding that some of the spaces in the pictures are currently in the process of being filled. He said the town has averaged 90 percent for commercial occupancy.

Many recent proposals are for several spaces, not one large big box store. Maybe an emphasis should first be put on empty spaces, which are useless and contribute basically nothing to the town. One resident stated it simply, "Why are there so many vacant properties?"