Housing and Zoning Subcommittee of the Planning Board Mar 26, 2026

The Housing and Zoning Subcommittee of the Town of Amherst Planning Board met on March 26, 2026, to discuss proposed zoning bylaw amendments related to housing development in the PRP (Planned Residential Park) zoning district. Key procurement-related topics included consideration of overlay zoning versus direct amendments to multiple sections of the zoning bylaw to allow for increased residential density, mixed-use buildings, and cottage-style housing. The subcommittee debated the merits of simplifying the bylaw by eliminating the Office Park (OP) zoning classification and potentially reclassifying those properties as Limited Business (BL). They also discussed changes to use classifications, dimensional standards, and parking requirements to encourage development while balancing community concerns. The group planned to prepare detailed summaries and documentation for upcoming Planning Board meetings, aiming to advance the amendments by May. No formal votes were recorded during this meeting, but action items included further refinement of zoning language, coordination with staff, and scheduling future meetings to continue the review process.