Planning Board Sep 2, 2026

The Town of Amherst Planning Board convened on September 2, 2026, primarily discussing zoning and housing issues related to accommodating student housing demand and potential bylaw amendments. Key procurement-related topics included consideration of rezoning parcels near UMass to allow for higher-density student housing, with suggestions to reclassify certain areas under the fraternity/sorority zoning district to facilitate development. The board debated the possibility of advocating for state-level exemptions or modifications to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw to better address local housing dynamics, particularly owner-occupancy requirements. While no formal votes on contracts or budget allocations were recorded, the board agreed to continue refining zoning proposals and to include these discussions on the agenda for the next meeting. No contract awards, RFPs, or vendor selections were mentioned during this session.