ZBA Okays Frat Conversion

ALPHA CHI OMEGA  Pi Kappa Phi, 38 Nutting Avenue, Amherst

The Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals last night seemingly changed their minds about the former Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at 38 Nutting Avenue (which touches UMass property) and will now allow its conversion of use to a Fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi.

The Board found the transformation/conversion is "not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing use."

Two years ago the ZBA voted unanimously to uphold the "cease and desist order" of the town building inspector who found fault with the conversion as being a "change in use" (females to males) which should require a "Special Permit" from the ZBA.

The owners of Alpha Chi Omega immediately filed suit against the ZBA, and the case started two years later in Hampshire Superior Court (this past September) but was quickly dropped in favor of the meeting that occurred last night.

According to Senior Town Planner Jeff Bagg:

"The ZBA voted unanimously to approve the extension of the pre existing non conforming sorority use to a “Fraternity or Sorority building, social dormitory, or similar use related to Amherst College, Hampshire College, or the University of Massachusetts” (same language as Section 3.326 of the Zoning Bylaw).  

Because it is a pre existing non conforming use, the ZBA had to make a finding under Section 9.22 that the extension was not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing use. 

They made that finding based on the conditions which limit the total number of occupants (to the same number that was allowed under the 2005 permit), a requirement for a resident manager, and a requirement for review and approval of a new management prior to occupancy by any other tenant.

Additionally, the relationship to one of the institutions was deemed important as it provides an additional layer of regulations which do not necessarily apply to other non-institutionally related rentals.  

Finally, consideration was also given for the fact that the use under goes bi-annual inspections by various Town departments, where other rentals do not. "

DUI Dishonor Role

Since it's only his first offense, and he's a young UMass student, safe bet Daniel Huyett, age 21, will get the usual treatment at District Court:  one year probation, 45 day loss of license, take an alcohol training course at UMass and faithfully promise to behave.

 Note how many officers are tied up on a DUI incident

After hearing a few DUI cases adjudicated and reading about another prominent one in this morning's Daily Hampshire Gazette, I've come to the conclusion that if it's your 1st offense you really have to kill someone in order to suffer any serious legal consequences.

Although for Mr. Huyett, a legal studies major at UMass, this brush with the law will not make for good resume material. 

Sign Of The Times

Sand pile Amherst DPW

Even though the town has eliminated sand from its war-on-winter arsenal, the DPW continues a generations old practice of providing a free sand/salt pile (even providing a shovel) at their home base conveniently located a mile south of Amherst town center.

Last winter the DPW used between four and five THOUSAND tons of sand mixed in with 1,000 to 1,500 tons of salt.  

The town will continue to use salt, but will do so mixed in a liquid goo of magnesium chloride which can be applied to the roads even before the first snowflakes fall.  Massachusetts Department Of Transportation switched over to this formula years ago.

The current sand/salt inventory is left over from last year.

The town gave up the equally long-time practice of filling ugly green boxes stationed around town a few years back; and the most recent free delivery of sand/salt to homeowners who place buckets by the side of the road may also be the last time for that service.   

What's next, doctors and milk producers giving up house calls?

Town Gown RFP Almost There

One quarter of Town Gown Steering Committee

The UMass Amherst Town Gown Steering Committee met for the third time yesterday at the UMass Police Station and they are now about 90% done with a Request For Proposals to hire a consultant to help guide growth between the two main Superpowers in our little college town.

Well, except for Amherst College.

 2nd table of members Town Gown Steering Committee

 DRAFT

   Amherst Town Gown RFP Draft

Last meeting the friction played out around public safety and how it should be a major concern with any future growth and development, be it economic or housing.  This meeting the bone of contention was how to deal with the issue of neighborhoods directly abutting UMass such as Fearing Street, Lincoln Avenue and North Pleasant Streets.

 3rd table Town Gown Steering Committee

 DRAFT

   Amherst Town Gown Scope

Most of the Committee wanted the consultant to focus on a broader interpretation of how to maintain safe and healthy neighborhoods. Since the concern is town wide and not just the immediate adjacent streets.

David Webber pointed out he lives in North Amherst where the problem with rowdy students is just as bad as those immediately south of the campus.

The committee will meet once more next week to finalize the RFP, but then will continue to meet afterwards to help focus community discussion on the results of the $60,000 study.

And in Amherst, there's never a shortage of community discussion.

Lost

Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire December 3, 1999

Fourteen years ago six men entered a burning building under their own power, perhaps partially propelled by adrenalin -- the rush that comes with pitched combat.

But this was no ordinary fire, nor was the Worcester Cold Storage building an ordinary structure.

The windowless six story century old building contained layers and layers of petroleum based insulation -- high octane food for The Beast.  And the interior layout was the same top to bottom making it a confusing maze, easy to get lost even under the best of conditions.

Two firefighters did get lost, under the worst of conditions, somewhere on the fourth floor, with their vital air supply quickly running out.  Without hesitation a four man rescue company hurried to their aid.  They too became lost.

All six perished doing what they love: Protecting everyday citizens -- even homeless ones who don't pay taxes.

The structure, dubbed "The building from Hell," continued to burn for six days as if taunting first responders, now in a recovery mode of operation.   By the eight day all six bodies were carried out of the rubble by members of the Worcester Fire Department.

Deep down inside every first responder knows an awful truth:  on any given day, any given call, circumstances can overwhelm training, guts and camaraderie.  As it did that awful night fourteen years ago.

And would again less than two years later when 343 firefighters perished carrying out the largest rescue operation in our nation's history. Or just last summer when a wildfire suddenly changed direction and overran an elite unit of 19 Arizona firefighters.

The Beast can never be completely eradicated, only controlled from one incident to the next.  By flesh-and-blood firefighters who put their lives on the line, every time.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports (A day to remember)

Planning For The Retreat

 About 50 people attended tonight's Select Board hearing on The Retreat

After over two hours of public discussion the Amherst Select Board took no official vote this evening on a recommendation to the Planning Board concerning The Retreat, a "Cluster Subdivision" in Northeast Amherst consisting of 123 lots holding 175 housing units with a total of 641 beds. All of them rented to students.

Neighbors once again packed the Town Room and speaker after speaker brought up a litany of complaints over parking, noise, "unsafe" private roads, and the overall impact of forever changing the character of a historic neighborhood, Cushman.

Even Select Board Chair Stephanie O'Keeffe acknowledged that if the roads in the development are private rather than town accepted public roads, the Amherst police department could not enforce "open container" laws.  And to that Ms. O'Keeffe admitted, "I'm disappointed."

Although she was quick to point out "noise" bylaws could be enforced on the private property.

The Select Board took note of all the complaints and Ms. O'Keeffe will prepare and present a statement to the Planning Board at their Public Hearing on Wednesday night, where no doubt the same crowd will show up to once again voice their disapproval of the student housing project.

Early in the discussion O'Keeffe summed up what tonight's SB meeting was really all about:

"What we’re really doing is sending a message:  It's the obligation of the town to ensure that this is as responsible a project as it can be.  We are all watching this.  This is BIG, significant, and impactful.  Of great concern and interest to many." 

And perhaps the key statement of the night, a sentiment shared by everyone in the room:  "We have an obligation to get it right." 

As does the Planning Board, who will pick up the hot potato on Wednesday night.

All Quiet on the College Town Front

So this past Thanksgiving weekend has got to be a record of some sort:  APD did not make a single arrest and AFD did not transport a single alcohol poisoned college aged youth.

Although Amherst police did investigate a Breaking & Entering at 146 Mill Lane and APD and AFD had to break into a home in North Amherst on Thanksgiving based on an (erroneous) call indicating someone inside needed medical attention.

   AFD Thanksgiving Wknd by larry_kelley_1

APD en route to a Breaking & Entering, Mill Lane, Amherst.  Drawers rifled, belongings strewn around house.  Items missing.
— Larry Kelley (@amherstac) November 30, 2013