UPDATE

ADDED

WHY IGNORE THE $700,000 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?

The Comprehensive Master Plan IS the blueprint for development in Amherst. It was adopted in January 2007. It was studied and researched for several years. One of the stated visions of the plan, is that Amherst be renowned for its exceptional quality of life.
Isn't it ironic that we are here, once again, discussing how this project, at this location is an assault on the quality of life of Amherst residents, living in over 1000 homes? Knowing, additionally,
this number will increase dramatically because this development is just the beginning of a conversion into another commercial corridor? This is something our comprehensive plan repeatedly and specifically advised against for this section of our Town.
The Master Plan elaborates that the project area, in particular, is not to be used for commercial development. That the residential portions of maple road should be protected from further commercial development or redevelopment (section 3-16)

Some of the relevant violations are:
     It is not consistent with surrounding land use or
     highway corridor.
     It is not at a major intersection.
     It is not in keeping with the neighborhood scale.
     It creates numerous adverse environmental
     impacts on adjacent land use.

The authors of our Master Plan recognized the problems involved in developing this area of our town or rezoning it and advised against it. Our own Amherst Planning Department understood the problems associated with rezoning this property and advised against it. Our own Amherst Traffic Safety Board understood the safety problems associated with rezoning this property and advised against
it. The neighborhood residents have said and to continue to say no to rezoning of this property to general business/commercial. This entire proposal, including all environmental issues needs to be
looked at comprehensively through clear eyes not through the prism of dollar signs and a developers spin.
 

SHOOTING HOLES IN AMHERST MASTER PLAN

The proposed Benderson development, at the former Shooting Club site, is in direct violation of  Amherst's Master Plan. The Master Plan specifically states that Maple Road, east of Millersport Highway is to be "protected from further encroachments  by new commercial development or redevelopment".  This was recommended to protect local residents, public recreational resources and the overall quality of life in our Town.
     Most Amherst residents are not aware of the potential impact of this proposal.   If this spot zoning is approved April 7th, it will open the door to further development, transforming the entire segment of Maple Road up to North Forest into a commercial corridor.  It will change FOREVER, the character and context of this central part of Town. It will negatively impact the adjacent Maplemere subdivision and residential homes on Maple Road's south side.  It will threaten our beloved recreational amenities.   Insurmountable traffic issues will endanger the safety and lives of all persons living in the area or traveling through the area.
     Furthermore, touted as a Town Centre, the marketing hype of this proposal does not match the actual plan.   The proposal is larger than the Lowes' Plaza at Maple Road and Transit Road (just take a look at the link below). It is predominantly a commercial strip mall with a sea of paved parking.

Judy  Ferraro
 

The $500,000 offered by the developer is an admission that this proposal is seriously flawed. More than likely, it will cost millions of taxpayer dollars to mitigate the traffic problems associated with this proposal.

One only has to look and listen to all the contrivances the developer has come up with to mitigate the traffic safety issues. No matter how they try to finesse it, every man, woman and child either living in our area or traveling through it, will have their safety jeopardized.

This is simply the wrong project in the wrong location. The Comprehensive Plan tells you so, the residents tell you so...and common sense and conscience should tell you so. Furthermore, the developer knows it is wrong. ....Why else would they have felt compelled to use false and misleading information in the DEIS to win approval?

At a traffic meeting on Friday, February 29th, the developer's representative talked about "post-development mitigation." What exactly does that mean??? The purpose of having these traffic studies is to ANTICIPATE problems and resolve them BEFORE the development. Incidentally, these are the same people that neglected to include a whole subdivision, in a traffic safety analysis, even though a signal light would usher traffic through it.

This is outrageous and irresponsible. It is the safety and welfare of all our citizens that are at stake. It is your obligation, as our elected officials, to protect all of us from a developer's entitlement mentality to have their way, in their targeted area, no matter what the consequences are to our residents and Town.

Judy Ferraro - The Fairways Group
 

COMPARE the new site plans with the originals here.

"I will work on a local law to avoid any vacant buildings in Amherst"
Dr. Satish Mohan, Town Supervisor
 

Signs are out. We are getting the word out. There was a article in the Amherst Bee today December 12th.

Host a Sign on your property
 

Contact the Town Board - made easy.
(copy and paste provided email and make it part of the official record)
 

NEIGHBOR INFORMATION PACKET
 

12/08

See our concerns for yourself. Aerial Images

12/08