3.0 Land Use and Development - Town of Amherst

TOWN OF AMHERST BICENTENNIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
• To encourage higher density centers of activity that exhibit
high-quality design and a sense of place
By definition, a mixed-use development consists of a deliberate,
mutually-supporting mix of housing, civic uses, and commercial
uses, including retail, restaurants, and offices. There is significant
physical and functional integration of project components, and
thus a relatively close-knit and intensive use of land, including
uninterrupted pedestrian connections. A mixed use development
is usually the result of a coherent planning process that
emphasizes the connectivity and links among uses.
Seventeen activity centers are depicted on the Conceptual Land
Use Plan as the primary locations for mixed uses in the Town. In
addition, several other areas are designated for mixed uses as
components of commercial centers.
Mixed-use centers should be designed to achieve two primary
objectives:
• Provide a focus for new development and redevelopment in
the Town, consistent with protecting the character of
adjacent residential areas
• Enhance the viability of surrounding neighborhoods by
providing identifiable centers of community activities such as
shopping, work, recreation, and meetings
Depending upon their type and scale, mixed-use centers typically
exhibit the following characteristics and design features:
• Mix of uses: A mixed use development should include a
balanced mix of compatible, appropriately scaled uses,
including traditional/neighborhood/community retail, office,
and higher density residential. This mix of uses may be
achieved in one or more of the following ways:
1. Vertical Mixed Use. A single structure with the above
floors used for residential or office use and a portion of
the ground floor for retail/commercial or service uses.
2. Horizontal Mixed Use – Attached. A single structure
which provides retail/commercial or service use in the
portion fronting the public or private street with attached
residential or office uses behind.
3. Horizontal Mixed Use – Detached. Two or more
structures on one site which provide retail/commercial or
service uses in the structure(s) fronting the public or
private street, and residential or office uses in separate
structure(s) behind or to the side.
It should be noted that certain types of use mixes offer little
or no benefit and may exacerbate land use conflicts and traffic
congestion. These may include, for example, disconnected
“out parcels” for gas stations, fast food, or other forms of
Town Board Adopted Plan (Amended March 2009) – Land Use and Development 3-37