Local Historic District Sep 28, 2026

The Town of Amherst Local Historic District Commission held a public hearing on October 2, 2026 (the meeting title references September 28) to review two accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs. The commission unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness for the first design, which replaces an existing garage, retains five parking spaces, adds an enclosure for garbage bins, and includes revised exterior details. Members discussed whether the parking count was appropriate, but the discussion concluded that zoning rules—not the commission—govern the number of spaces. No contract awards, purchases, or procurement actions were identified.

For the second ADU, at 290 Lincoln Street, the applicant presented a revised siting and arborist recommendations intended to limit impacts to a neighboring copper beech tree. Members discussed the building’s placement, tree-root protection, and wood rather than concrete stairs. A motion was proposed to issue a certificate contingent on wood stairs and implementation of the arborist’s mitigation recommendations, but the transcript does not capture a vote before the meeting adjourned. No specific project costs or vendor selections were discussed.