Letter: Supports Temporary Moratorium For Downtown Construction

Editor’s note: the following letter was sent to the Amherst Town Council on March 17

I am writing in support of the moratorium on new building permits proposed by Councilors Pam, Schoen and DuMont. I fear that the development already carried out across from Kendrick Park has been developer-driven rather than community-driven, and I am resolutely opposed to seeing the downtown lose its character as a result of being treated as a commodity. 

Also important is the fact of the pandemic, which makes it very difficult for the public to provide proper input for projects that affect not only the town’s aesthetic, but the potential need for services. Such projects should be suspended until it is safe for people to attend meetings in person, ask questions and offer comments. Economic players should not be allowed to get the jump on town residents when it comes to these processes. It’s by no means self-evident that some “rise in the cost of buildable land” means that there “must” be ever more dense development in town. The town has been farsighted in preserving open space; it doesn’t follow that the town owes it to anyone to maximize permits in the settled areas because of that.

Amherst is such a well-managed town in so many respects. Its history and atmosphere are beautiful. Let’s keep the planning farsighted, balanced, sustainability-based, and open to public input. 

Stephanie Kraft

Stephanie Kraft is a resident of Amherst.