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Date: 11/7/2023
AMHERST — At its Nov. 1 meeting, the Planning Board heard a request for a comprehensive permit to construct 30 affordable residential units on a 9.047-acre site located at 20-40 Ball Lane.
The proposed owner-occupied modules would be situated within 15 duplex structures and accompanied by parking areas to accommodate 58 spaces as well as common areas and other site features.
The Valley Community Development Corporation presented their proposals for the project, identified as Amherst Community Homes and described as, “Affordable, first-time homebuyer opportunities for moderate-income households.”
In a statement just prior to the presentation, Board Member Chris Brestrup indicated that the Zoning Board will make a decision whether to approve with or without conditions or deny the application for the permit entirely.
“This project is considered to be what we call a friendly, 40B application in the sense that the town has encouraged Valley CDC to develop affordable units for home ownership as well as for rental in the town of Amherst,” Brestrup said. “The town also provided $750,000 in CPA funds and $250,000 in housing trust funds to support this project.” Brestrup also said the project had received favorable support in public comment.
Jessica Allan from Valley CDC introduced the presentation, including renderings from their design team and their program goals.
“We’re talking about first-time homebuyers here but the other major part, the other major goal that that we’re trying to accomplish here is to increase BIPOC homeownership and to shrink the racial equity gap,” she said.
The proposed North Amherst site, located on the corner of Pulpit Roa and Montage Roads is 1.5 miles from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus and is situated along PVTA Route No. 33.
Questions from the Planning Board included homebuying assistance and incentives, energy saving improvements during construction and restrictions concerning rental of the units by owners.
The timeline for the project without impediments would arrive at groundbreaking with completed construction and sale to buyers in 2026.
The board will compile their findings from the presentation for distribution to the Zoning Board for their review.