Work Products

The following are technical products produced during the Charrette and formation of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment:

TASK 1.1: DRAFT PROJECT BENEFITS METRICS REPORT
The DRAFT Project Benefits Metrics Report (PBMR) discusses proposed performance metrics and projected benefit values associated with regional and local sustainability plans and their objectives. The DRAFT PBMR will be reviewed and revised as appropriate at the end of the project.

TASK 2: PUBLIC OUTREACH PLAN DRAFT
The Public Outreach Plan identifies the range of activities and techniques that are planned to be used to elicit public comment and participation through the project.

TASK 3.1: DOCUMENT REVIEW
A technical memorandum that discusses the Consultant’s review of the Town’s development plans and regulations (zoning).

TASK 3.3A: SITE TOUR NOTES
A memorandum and map documenting an orientation tour of Town commercial centers.

TASK 3.3B: STAFF KICK-OFF MEETING NOTES
A memorandum documenting a kick-off meeting and debriefing between Town Staff and the Project Consultants.

TASK 3.3C: MARCH 8TH, 2016 WC-TC ACCEPTED MEETING NOTES
The Consultant’s presentation and meeting notes from a joint meeting of the Technical Committee and the Working Committee held on March 8, 2016.

TASK 3.3D: STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEW SUMMARIES
Notes from interviews by the Consultant with various stakeholder groups.

TASK 3.3E: MARCH 9TH, 2016 PUBLIC BRIEFING MEETING PRESENTATION NOTES
The Consultant’s presentation from the Project Briefing to the Public on March 9, 2016.

TASK 4.1: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ANALYSIS
A technical memorandum that documents an analysis of the Comprehensive Plan with an emphasis on commercial and mixed-use centers. The memorandum focuses on the hierarchy, organization, typologies, and descriptions of centers in the Plan. The analysis includes an assessment of current zoning provisions and mapping intended to guide and implement development of the centers.

TASK 4.2: MEMORANDA ON ZONING ANALYSIS - PARTS 1 & 2
Technical memoranda that review existing zoning districts as they are applied to the planned commercial centers and investigates potential new districts and planning provisions to implement them.

TASK 4.2: RECOMMENDED COMMERCIAL CENTERS FOR PILOT LOCATIONS
The Project Working Committee considered the Consultant’s findings discussed in the memorandum and agreed to modify the Commercial Centers chosen as pilot locations as recommended.
VIEW PILOT COMMERCIAL CENTERS MAP

TASK 4.3: ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING REGULATIONS (10-2-18 DRAFT)
A Draft Code Assessment that summarizes the Consultant’s findings regarding issues with the Town’s existing zoning code regulations/provisions and suggestions on possible changes that could be made.

TASK 4.5A: TOWN BOARD PRESENTATION



On September 6, 2016 Code Studio made a presentation to the Amherst Town Board and sought its comments on work completed to that point, and confirm the direction of the project. The Consultant reviewed key issues from the analysis of the Comprehensive Plan and its correspondence with the Zoning Code. Click here to view a recording of the meeting and find presentation materials.
VIEW POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

TASK 5.1 ACTIVITY CENTER PRECEDENT REPORT
The Activity Center Precedent Report outlines successful cases of mixed-use activity centers located in communities within New York State and other regions. Various types of centers are included that serve as examples for the pilot areas (see Task 4.2) located in Amherst. The precedent sites are helpful for envisioning the form, massing, and density possible at the different types of commercial and mixed-use centers. The Report provides photos and maps for each center, describes its characteristics and surrounding context, and provides Web links to other information. The cases cited are good examples of new development and redevelopment projects to inform participation in the Public Input Workshop.

TASK 5.2A PUBLIC INPUT WORKSHOP (CHARRETTE)
The following are recordings from television programs that depict some of the Town and consultant outreach methods to encourage public attendance at the Charrette. There are also two videos and PowerPoint presentations which show the opening and closing presentations during the Charrette events.

The Imagine Amherst team was on WKBW and WNY Living to spread the word about upcoming events and projects. Click on each image to watch.

September 24, 2016 - Opening Presentation

Click to View PowerPoint Presentation

September 28, 2016 - Closing Presentation

Click to View PowerPoint Presentation

TASK 5.3 CHARRETTE SUMMARY REPORT
This report documents activities from the Public Input Workshop (Tasks 5.2 A-D). The report discusses the Charrette, details from the Work-in-Progress meeting, stakeholder comments, planning and design considerations, and development concepts for each pilot area identified in Task 4.2. The concepts are intended to provide examples and characteristics of development that may occur in various types and scales of commercial center. They will be useful to developing amendments to the commercial and mixed-use components of the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code.
The following are maps provided during the “Hands-On Workshop” held on the first day of the Charrette:

• ANALYSIS MAP – EGGERTSVILLE
• ANALYSIS MAP – GETZVILLE
• ANALYSIS MAP – NORTHTOWN
• ANALYSIS MAP – SNYDER
• ANALYSIS MAP – TRANSIT RD.
• ANALYSIS MAP – WEST OF VILLAGE

TASK 6.0 DRAFT PLAN AMENDMENT – FORM AND TYPE DESCRIPTIONS
The Committee studied the commercial and mixed use areas designated in the Future Land Use Map (Figure 6 – in the Plan) and developed new maps and recommendations to better distinguish areas by their scale, location, and neighborhood context. The Committee proposed “typologies” to categorize these areas which consist of two forms: suburban and traditional, and four types: center, corridor, medium-scale node, and low-scale node. The Committee identified a current designation for each center and identified centers that might change or transform in the future. The different types and forms are described in the Plan, and provide guidance for the creation of new zoning provisions that may include development principles, level of change, building design criteria, and economic function.

TASK 6.1 PLAN AMENDMENT FOR CHAPTER 3 & 10
On September 14, 2017 the Planning Board recommended proposed amendments to Chapters 3 & 10 of the Comprehensive Plan to the Town Board. The amendments can be accessed through the link above. The Planning Board and the Imagine Amherst Project Working Committee have studied the commercial and mixed-use areas designated in the Future Land Use Map (Figure 6 – in the Plan) and developed a new companion map (Figure 6-A) and recommendations to better distinguish areas by their scale, location, and neighborhood context. The proposed amendments feature “typologies” that categorize these areas into combinations of form: suburban and traditional, and type: center, corridor, medium-scale node, and low-scale node. The amendments propose a designation of form and type for each center. The different combinations of form and type are described in the Plan and provide guidance for the creation of new zoning provisions to support implementation of the Plan recommendations.

The Town Board held a public hearing on the DRAFT Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan on October 30, 2017. On December 11, 2017 the Town Board found that the requirements of SEQR had been completed and voted to adopt these amendments to Plan.

DRAFT ZONING FRAMEWORK
Based on the Plan Amendment, a Draft Zoning Framework was created in order to provide guidance on how the zoning regulations will implement the new Plan language. This framework include proposed zoning districts based on the two forms and four types presented in the Plan. It also includes information on proposed heights, frontage types, transitions and block standards.

TASK 7.1 – REVISED AND REFORMATTED ZONING CODE
This document contains revisions to the Town of Amherst Zoning Code (Chapter 203) that address reformatting, reorganization and technical recommendations from the Assessment (Task 4.2).

TASK 7.2 – MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS
Based on the Plan amendment (Task 6.1), new mixed use zoning districts were prepared for each center type. These districts include building form, streetscape, sign, landscaping, and parking standards, along with cross-sections for new internal streets, use regulations, definitions, administrative procedures, and graphic descriptions of buildings and lots. A recommended zoning map applying the new districts was also created. Both documents can be viewed below.
Mixed Use Zoning Districts
Draft Mixed Use Zoning Map

TASK 7.3 - PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT ZONING CODE
This document contains revisions to the Town of Amherst Zoning Code (Chapter 203) based on meetings held and work done by the Zoning Review Working Group and the Consultant, Code Studio. This includes new commercial and mixed use districts (Infill and Retrofit) along with reorganization and reformatting of the entire Code.

TASK 7.4 - PUBLIC REVIEW
Two stakeholder sessions for developers and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce were held on March 14 and 15, 2019 to explain the Draft Code. The presentation and summary of the comments heard at these meetings are below.

Stakeholder Meetings Presentation
Stakeholder Meetings Summary

TASK 7.5 – LEGAL REVIEW
A legal review of the draft changes to the Zoning Code was conducted to ensure consistency with state and federal statutes and case law. A memorandum that summarizes the findings was created.

TASK 7.6 – ADOPTION DRAFT
Based on the results from the Public Review (Task 7.4), revisions were made to the Public Review Draft Zoning Code to create this Adoption Draft for consideration at public hearings.

TASK 8.1 – WORKSHOP AND HEARING SUMMARY
The Plan amendment (Task 6.1) and proposed Adoption Draft (Task 7.6) were presented at a joint workshop for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to allow for discussion of the draft. This took place at the Town Board Work Session on March 18, 2019. A public hearing before the Planning Board was also held on March 26, 2019. Presentations and summaries of both the workshop and the public hearing can be viewed below.
Joint Workshop Presentation
Joint Workshop Summary
Planning Board Public Hearing Presentation
Planning Board Public Hearing Summary

TASK 8.2 – FINAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND DRAFT ZONING CODE
This document incorporates all comments heard during the review process regarding the draft Zoning Code. The Plan amendment which is being implemented by the new Code is also available below.
Plan Amendment
Final Draft Zoning Code

TASK 9.1 – TRAINING
Two training sessions for town staff and local professionals was held on March 25 and 28, 2019 to discuss the draft Zoning Code. Presentations included an overview of the regulations, examples from specific sites, and code maintenance procedures. The presentation and summary of the comments heard at these meetings are below.

Local Professionals & Staff Training Presentation
Local Professionals & Staff Training Summary

TASK 9.2 – LOCAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION FORUM
A local community forum directed at helping planners and related professionals in surrounding communities understand the overall project and its outcomes was held on March 26, 2019. It covered processes for the Plan amendment, the development of the revisions to the Code and how these could be transferred to other communities. The presentation and summary of the comments heard are below.

Local Community Forum Presentation
Local Community Forum Summary