Amherst council backs zoning changes
Amherst Town Hall FILE PHOTO
Published: 1/5/2021 2:31:54 PM
AMHERST Motivating developers to pursue housing projects in downtown and village centers is a primary goal of zoning priorities being endorsed by the Town Council.
With an affirmative vote Monday on action steps, which councilors deemed consistent with the master plan, the hope is to encourage more housing options for people from all economic backgrounds.
“We have a massive deficit of housing in this town,” said At-Large Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke.
The 10-3 vote in support of the zoning priorities recommended by the council’s Community Resources Committee came despite concerns received in writing from several residents, including from a group calling itself Citizens for Better Planning.
Griesemer handily wins another term as Amherst council president
Amherst Town Council President Lynn Griesemer speaks during the release of “Renewable Communities”, a report by the Environmental Massachusetts Research and Policy Center, in Amherst on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 1/6/2021 12:35:21 PM
AMHERST Lynn Griesemer will continue to lead the inaugural Amherst Town Council for a third consecutive year.
In a contested election to serve as president of the council, Griesemer was easily chosen over Vice President Mandi Jo Hanneke at Monday’s council meeting.
Griesemer received 12 votes, all but Hanneke’s own vote, to remain in the position she has held since the council was first seated in December 2018.