The document summarizes the history of zoning in Amherst Village Center, including efforts to implement a "village center concept" through zoning changes since the 1970s. It describes the process of developing and presenting a proposed form-based rezoning between 2011-2012, which included public meetings and failed warrant articles. It notes remaining obstacles to the rezoning include concerns about student housing and resistance to change. Next steps proposed are continuing revisions to the rezoning and addressing other issues to build support for future zoning amendments.

1. Innovative Zoning
Amherst Village Center
Form-Based Rezoning

5. Amherst’s Village Center Zoning
1974 - Village Center Business (B-VC) District created in response to the
‘village center concept’ established in the 1973 Select Committee on Goals
(SCOG) community plan. Applied in North Amherst, East Village, and
Gatehouse Village.
1989-1990 - Use of the B-VC District is expanded and a new Village Center
Residence (R-VC) District created as a transitional district—all based on the
‘village center concept’. Applied in North Amherst, then Pomeroy Village.
1991 – New R-VC zoning is added to East Village.
2007 - B-VC and R-VC zoning added to the south end of East Village (College
and South East Streets).
2010 – Amherst Master Plan adopted with goals and objectives founded on
the ‘village center concept.’ Many zoning amendments before and since
have been explicitly directed at implementing this goal.

7. Village Center Planning & Rezoning
2011
April Stakeholder Meetings
May On-site Community Design Workshops
July Results & Conceptual Plans Presented
September Draft Plans & Rezoning Presented
October 5 & 19 – PB Public Hearings
20 - TM Warrant Review presentation
27 DHCD FBC presentation (telecast)
November 2 – Cecil Group public presentation
7 – Fall TM begins
16 – Article 17 gets 61% support but fails
~ Total 30+ public meetings ~
2012
January 4 - Zoning Forum (ZSC)
18 – Village Center Roundtable (ZSC)
Feb. – March Multiple meetings (ZSC & PB)
April 4 – PB Public Hearing
10 - TM Warrant Review presentation
30 – Annual TM begins
May 9 – Article 24 (Atkins Corners) gets 63%; fails
14 – Article 25 (North Amherst) gets 65%; fails
~ An additional 12+ public meetings ~

12. Positive Momentum, But . . .
Remaining Obstacles:
 Student Housing & Behavior
 Fear of Change = Carts Before Horses
~ “Fix and Study Everything Else, First”
~ “Prove This Has Worked in an Identical Town”
Next Steps:
 Continuing Revisions:
~ Adjust District Boundaries
~ Simplify District Configuration—Use Ex. B-VC?
~ Add Historic Pres., Green Energy provisions
 Make Progress on ‘Other” Issues
~ Housing Enforcement, Infrastructure, Studies, etc.
 Decide Which Amendment Goes When
~ Fall 2012 STM? Spring 2013 ATM?