Projects and Initiatives banner graphic


Proposed Westwood Neighborhood Project
772 North Forest Road and 375, 385 & 391 Maple Road
Mensch Capital Partners, LLC, Petitioner


Overview of Review Process

Background

As with all rezoning requests in Amherst, the Planning Board must first hold a public hearing and make its recommendation to the Town Board.  The Town Board then holds its public hearing; this Board has the authority to make the final decision on the rezoning.

The Westwood project has been classified a Type I action under the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR), requiring the applicant to prepare a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS).  The Westwood petitioner submitted this document along with the rezoning application.  Both documents are available on this website.

According to the SEQR regulations, Type I actions must undergo several additional steps than smaller-scale actions before a final decision can be made.  These include:

  • Preparation of a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS) by the Town
  • Preparation of a Findings Statement by the Town.

Each step involves reviews by Town departments and outside agencies that lengthen the review time.  In addition, each step requires public notice and publication in keeping with SEQR and Town Law.  For example:

  • Preparation of the FEIS must be completed within 45 calendar days from the close of public hearing, unless extended by mutual consent.
  • The Findings Statement cannot be issued sooner than 10 days after filing of the FEIS and must be completed within 30 days.

Where are we in the Review Process?

Public Hearings

Planning Board: The first public hearing on the project was held by the Planning Board at its meeting of November 17, 2016 (on the rezoning and the DGEIS).  The hearing was adjourned (held open) to the January 19, 2017 meeting and again adjourned to the March 16, 2017 meeting. Due to the submittal of an updated Traffic Impact Study (see Project Documents below) and comments from the Town Engineering Department, the hearing was adjourned at the March 16th meeting with no specific follow-up meeting date given.  Adjacent property owners will be notified and legal notice will be published when a date has been determined.  An amended rezoning application package was submitted by the applicant on March 20, 2017 and can be reviewed below.

Town Board: On September 18, 2017, the Town Board held a public hearing on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) submitted for the project in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) requirements.  A Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS) was prepared and a Notice of Completion of the FGEIS was issued on November 20, 2017.  The SEQR Findings Statement, the final step in the environmental review process, was issued by the Town Board on December 11, 2017 and can be reviewed below.

The Town Board public hearing on the rezoning of the Westwood site cannot be set until the Planning Board hearing ends.  At this time, the end date of the Planning Board hearing cannot be determined.

Any questions may be directed to the Planning Department, 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, NY, 14221, (716) 631-7051 or by email to acarrato@amherst.ny.us.


Project Documents

Traffic Study


Amended Rezoning & Planned Unit Development Application (March 2017)


Previous Amended Rezoning & Planned Unit Development Application (December 2016)


Previous Rezoning & Planned Unit Development Application (October 2016)


Findings Statement


Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS)
for the proposed Westwood Multi-Use Development


Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS)
for the proposed Westwood Multi-Use Development


Communications from Jeffrey S. Burroughs, Town Engineer,
Commenting on the Rezoning Application


Helpful Links

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst was established in 1818 and celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018. The town has a geographical area of 53.6 square miles and a population of greater than 122,000.

Disclaimer, Copyright and Maintenance
How to use our site

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Town of Amherst ADA Coordinators are Robert McCarthy (Director of Human Resources) and Mark Berke (Commissioner of Buildings).

Click for more information about ADA.

Website Contact

The Town of Amherst takes great pride in providing useful, timely and accurate information through its official website. We encourage public participation in our website and ask that you provide your feedback to help us make our site even better. Contact the website administrator at toawebsite@amherst.ny.us.

Get in Touch

  • General Information:
    (716) 631-7000
  • Email:
    toainfo@amherst.ny.us
  • Address:
    Municipal Building (Town Hall)
  • 5583 Main Street
  • Williamsville, NY 14221