Amherst Traditional Neighborhood Zoning Project
The Planning Board is currently reviewing three applications related to the Traditional Neighborhood Zoning Project: the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance to include the revised Traditional Neighborhood Business zoning overlay (TNB), and the rezoning of properties located at Harlem-Kensington and at Main-Eggert. Following a recommendation by the Planning Board, the Town Board will hold its own Public Hearing and will make the final determination on the rezoning.
A public meeting was held on February 23, 2010 to discuss the proposed TNB overlay district. Please click here to view a copy of the presentation that was given at that meeting.
Project Introduction
The Town, in cooperation with the Amherst Industrial Development Agency and with the assistance of an urban design consultant, Behan Planning and Design and two review committees, has developed customized zoning for the Harlem-Kensington and Main-Eggert commercial districts. The project implements a key recommendation of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan: to encourage redevelopment of the town’s older commercial centers.
The Town’s current predominant commercial zoning category, General Business, has been applied to both older commercial areas and larger, automobile-oriented development along roadways such as Transit Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard. This “one-size-fits-all” approach has acted as a disincentive to redevelopment in older areas, and when development does occur, permits projects that often do not fit in with existing conditions.
The goal of the Traditional Neighborhood Zoning project is to promote redevelopment by customizing zoning so that there is a better fit with existing development. Resulting development projects should also be consistent with community goals, such as improved aesthetics and higher-quality design, greater pedestrian-orientation, a mix of uses, and minimized impacts on adjacent residential areas. It is anticipated that the work completed for Harlem-Kensington and Main-Eggert will become a model for other commercial areas in the Town.
Proposed Traditional Neighborhood Business Zoning Overlay
Two committees comprised of area property owners, one for Harlem-Kensington and one for Main-Eggert, worked with the Town and AIDA to identify issues and develop zoning. Following this review of existing conditions and the identification of issues for each district, a zoning overlay, the Traditional Neighborhood Business district (-TNB) was developed. The overlay does not change the underlying zoning for a parcel, but provides different standards for new construction and major building additions. It is proposed that this new zoning be applied to parcels zoned nonresidential in both the Main-Eggert and Harlem-Kensington areas.
Products
Comments or Questions?
Please contact the Amherst Planning Department or by email: complan@amherst.ny.us. | 
