tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post5749071871918896183..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Planning Board Receptive to The RetreatLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-58122355667605598082013-12-07T23:30:48.519-05:002013-12-07T23:30:48.519-05:00I can't wait for Henry street to soak in young...I can't wait for Henry street to soak in young blood rated <.08% alcohol.:) <br />The train tracks are a great place for collage drunks to hang out as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-15108786007747713492013-12-07T00:19:02.625-05:002013-12-07T00:19:02.625-05:00GO RETREAT, GO RETREAT, GO RETREAT. Amherst getti...GO RETREAT, GO RETREAT, GO RETREAT. Amherst getting what it so richly deserves. All those nimbys who continually waste my time in Town Meeting have created this so I hope it happens regardless of the student behavior outcome.<br /><br />Anon 11:11, nice try to spread fear, give it a rest, please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-41781047141080988282013-12-06T16:56:05.378-05:002013-12-06T16:56:05.378-05:00I'm of two minds on the issue of the grade of ...I'm of two minds on the issue of the grade of the roads -- and what is the grade of Amity Street & Fearing Avenue -- I'd guess more than 10%....<br /><br />On the one hand, if the private company is going to be responsible for keeping them open/passable in the winter -- and unlike the town, not protected by the State Tort Claims Act -- then it's their problem and let them have whatever pitch they want.<br /><br />On the other hand, I've seen AFD's ladder truck get stuck in the parking lot of Lincoln Apartments because UMass didn't keep that road open -- and the ability of emergency vehicles to get into there (and back out) is a legitimate issue.<br /><br />Which raises another one -- what mandate is there that the owner actually plow the roads and what happens if they don't? What if the company is going broke or something and simply doesn't do it? Is the town going to get stuck doing it?<br /><br />Does the town do it and then assess the charge as a lien against the property -- and if so, how? Does the town leave the roads unplowed and then deal with the inability to get EMS vehicles in there -- with resultant loss of life (as happened in DC a couple years ago)? <br /><br />And I don't think that "repair & deduct" would apply to plowing roads -- nor do I suspect that UM students could/would come up with the $200/hour that Karl's wants for each loader -- or even know who Karl is.<br /><br />If it isn't already determined, I suggest that APD/AFD need a clear way to proceed if The Retreat doesn't plow/sand it's roads to the point where it is a public safety issue -- exactly what you gonna do if they (ever) just don't plow and you're looking at a 6 foot snowbank and unplowed roads beyond....Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-76283358820758022362013-12-05T20:43:47.618-05:002013-12-05T20:43:47.618-05:00By law it is not the job of the planning board to ...By law it is not the job of the planning board to say no to developers. Their job is to assist developers in meeting the zoning and other by law requirements of the state and town. That said, they do not have to accede to requests by developers which are outside the level parameters. Thus, in this case, Landmark asked for a number of exemptions to the zoning by laws which the planning board did not grant, although some were granted. <br /><br />It's also important to remember that this step is largely advisory, that is, the developer submitted "preliminary plans" which the planning board reviewed and commented on. In effect, saying to the developer, when you submit your final plans and site plan, if you ask for these exemptions we will say no, but we'll grant these others. <br /><br />It's then up to the developer to come back with revised plans, totally new plans or withdraw the proposal. And, we haven't even yet had the formal review by the Conservation Commission with its public hearing. Many steps to go before this is a done deal either way. And don't forget about the Land Court suit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-61942250108180134152013-12-05T16:24:16.599-05:002013-12-05T16:24:16.599-05:00NoNoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-86328936576978763562013-12-05T13:43:27.360-05:002013-12-05T13:43:27.360-05:00Does the Planning Board every say no to anything?Does the Planning Board every say no to anything?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-63234566038651186652013-12-05T13:33:44.958-05:002013-12-05T13:33:44.958-05:00No problem, I'm very hard to offend. Although...No problem, I'm very hard to offend. Although some Anons try awful hard.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-44502466031395766842013-12-05T13:25:18.816-05:002013-12-05T13:25:18.816-05:00I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way ...I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way Mr. Kelley. Your post came up during a search for "Landmark Retreat" and given what I've seen I only trying to share a bit of personal experience. -Anon 11:11 AMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-84010915815217792582013-12-05T13:21:28.997-05:002013-12-05T13:21:28.997-05:00Why not read the reviews of the other properties b...Why not read the reviews of the other properties built by this group around the country. Like any review they get good and bad. Some love it and the living and some hate it. <br /><br />North Amherst will now be able to find out too. Best of all everyone will survive. Walter Graffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-24243188665070409692013-12-05T11:15:33.695-05:002013-12-05T11:15:33.695-05:00Yeah and if you can't trust an Anon as a sourc...Yeah and if you can't trust an Anon as a source, who can you trust.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-51847606899042884262013-12-05T11:11:54.166-05:002013-12-05T11:11:54.166-05:00I have a family member that lives next to a former...I have a family member that lives next to a former Landmark Retreat property and it is an absolute disaster. I say former because it was, like a number of them, sold shortly after it was completed. Its current owners continually fight noise complaints that are dismissed under the notion of it being private property. The parties that occur at the property are severely intense with non-residents of the property often leaving inebriated in droves, many behind the wheel. The on-site management has very little power to actually control the residents and eviction is a lengthy process. I truly hope Amherst realizes this is not a good solution for the town's housing issues, no matter how well Landmark sells it. I know personally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com