# Planning Board Oct 22, 2026

The Town of Amherst Planning Board held a joint public hearing with the Community Resources Committee on October 22, 2026, focused on proposed zoning amendments. Staff presented changes to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules for calculating gross floor area and defining stories, half-stories, and attics. Members raised questions about exclusions, building-code criteria, and ambiguous cases; staff will refine the language and follow up on legal questions. The boards voted to continue the ADU hearing to November 12. No procurement or spending activity was identified.

The boards also considered a proposed zoning amendment to prohibit data centers. Discussion addressed the proposed definition and one-megawatt threshold, potential effects on existing facilities and academic research, and alternatives such as special-permit review or a temporary moratorium with safeguards for noise, water use, and energy sources. Staff will seek legal and procedural guidance, and the Planning Board and CRC voted to continue that hearing to November 12; no amendment was adopted. The Planning Board also heard a presentation supporting a statewide lot-size reform ballot initiative, but took no action on it.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Sources
- [Planning Board Oct 22, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEGppQeqhyI) - Town of Amherst, MA