"Ask Not ... "

 Vince O'Connor firing shots at 1 East Pleasant Street mixed use development

As the 51st anniversary of that exceedingly sad day in American history fast approaches I can't help but be reminded of his two indelible quotes our Planning Board should forever adopt as their motto:  "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

In the spirit of amending a zoning article on the floor of Amherst Town Meeting I would strike out the country and insert in its place in bold italic the word, town. 

And the other one, President Kennedy borrowed from a New England Chamber of Commerce:  "A rising tide lifts all boats."

In Amherst, like a lot of college towns, we have a housing shortage.  Across the entire spectrum of the housing market, we simply need more:  affordable housing (low income), handicapped housing, middle-income family housing, student housing, and yes, even high-end rich people housing.

So when a development comes along, like 1 East Pleasant Street, that plans to add 84 vitally needed units targeting one or two of those demographics (student housing and/or high end expensive housing), then that rising tide helps every facet of the market by soaking up a chunk of the demand.

 1 East Pleasant Street

And as supply catches up with demand, prices could start to come down.

Last night's Planning Board Site Plan Approval hearing for 1 East Pleasant Street -- the 4th session of its kind -- still did not end in a decision.  The Historical Commission meets tonight with a discussion about the historic mural that will be repainted by the original artist on the new building.

 West Cemetery Mural will be repainted on new building by David Fichter

But that is not expected to be a deal killer as Archipelego Investments is wise enough to know what matters in Amherst.  That's the kind of responsiveness these two developers have brought to this proposal, and I'm sure will continue to bring to this endeavor even after it opens for business two years from now.

 Kyle Wilson (standing), Dave Williams (seated)

NIMBYs in the audience had dwindled by more than half since the 1st hearing (10/1), but still took pot shots at the project.  Even forever activist Vince O'Connor sounded half hearted with his request for the Planning Board to deny the "unrealistic proposal" because of a lack of parking.

The Planning Board continued the public hearing to December 3rd, for a 5th and final meeting.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Amherst Pelham Regional School Committee

So to NO great surprise tonight's rescheduled Regional School Committee meeting promises to be a barn burner.

Let's hope that's in a metaphoric rather than literal sense as Amherst police, thankfully, will NOT be on scene for the meeting unless a need arises of course.

 I think everybody (including my Anons) needs to take a deep breath and relax.

(Where's that medicinal pot when you need it?)

Disharmony much?

A Signature Building

 Gordon Hall, 418 North Pleasant Street

Proposed Crotty Hall (from Northwest perspective)

A couple years ago Amherst Redevelopment Authority consultant Giani Longo suggested a mixed-use mega project for the North Pleasant street corridor in and around the old frat row.

And just a tad further south, closer to town center, suggested some sort of "signature building" would be nice, since it's such a well traveled route to our proud flagship of higher education, UMass Amherst.

Big green spot in middle right is former Frat Row

The current owners of Gordon Hall, where the UMass Economics Department holds court, go before the Amherst Planning Board on 12/3 to present plans for a matching beautiful building, Crotty Hall.  Together they will make a splendid statement for folks heading into the central core of UMass.

Signature twins if you will.

Unfortunately neither of them, unlike what the ARA consultant had in mind, will be on the tax rolls.  And since they are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit pursuing educational goals the Planning Board pretty much has to approve the project.

And no, they cannot make a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes a special condition for granting Site Plan Approval.

Because it's located on the road owned by Amherst, the building will be protected by Amherst police and fire personnel.  Since Gordon Hall is assessed at almost $3 million, if it were in private for-profit hands (or just a rich homeowner) it would have generated $60,000 last year in property taxes.

 They do at least pay permit fees to Building Department

When this new building goes on line you can more than double that assessed value to well over $6 million or $120,000 in potential property taxes.  Or enough to hire a few badly needed pubic safety personnel. 

Alas, Crotty Hall will pay nothing.  But it sure will be pretty.

That Damn Gazette!

They also fail to mention photo taken by supporter of the movement

 

'Tis Better To Light A Candle ...

Gotta have cute kids

About 60 people young and old braved the frigid weather to huddle in front of Amherst Regional High School holding candles, many of them wearing duct tape over their mouths to symbolize a supposed gag order from school officials concerning the hot potato case of former teacher Carolyn Gardner.

Organizer Vira Douangmany  lights a candle

Ms. Gardner was not present nor did I spot any members of the Amherst Regional School Committee.  A couple van loads of Hampshire College students added to the ambiance of a good old fashioned street protest.

 Two white vans from Hampshire College brought a bevy of students

Such a large turnout in the freezing cold gives an indication of what the rescheduled Regional School Committee (from tonight) will be dealing with Thursday night, which promises to be a lot hotter than this evening's event.

Group moves from parking lot to front entry of ARHS

DUI Dishonor Roll

 Guadalupe Roblero, 28, stands before Judge Groce with Spanish interpreter

Amherst Police arrested two drivers over the weekend for operating under the influence of alcohol, one of each gender.

In Eastern Hampshire District Court on Monday they both had their cases continued, although it appeared for a brief moment that Guadalupe Roblero was going to take a standard 24D disposition, but changed his mind after chatting with the Assistant District Attorney.

Click to enlarge/read

He was assigned Attorney Alfred Chamberland as a public defender (with a $150 fee).  Mr. Chamberland you may remember recently won a drunk driving case that occurred in Amherst. 

Of course he had the advantage of state law that did not allow the prosecution to mention his client refused the chemical breath test at Amherst police headquarters and that his client also had a previous drunk driving offense.

So it will be interesting to see how he deals with this client who did take the breath test, which is admissible in Court, with a whopping .20% reading -- or 2.5 times over the limit.

Meghan Maclellan, 19, stands before Judge Charles Groce

 

Meghan Gesek

Meghan Gesek also appeared before the Judge on Monday for a "Status Review". She was charged by APD with DUI on June 1 which included destroying a chain link fence and leaving tire tracks on school grounds.

Part of her sentence was to make restitution to the Amherst Schools as well as court costs: $4,788.  Ouch!

Never Mind

So the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee pulled a Roseanne Roseannadanna on us as the rescheduled meeting (moved from tonight to Thursday night) no longer has an "Executive Session" scheduled.

Hmm ...

UPDATE 3:45 PM 

Okay never mind about RSC not having an Executive Session. Now apparently, according to yet another posting, they are having an Executive Session. Sheesh!  

Odd thing is they both were "received" by the Town Clerk at the same  time.