Why a Master Plan?
The purpose of the Amherst master plan, as directed by
NH RSA 672:2,
is to set down as clearly and practically as possible the best and most appropriate future development within the
town of Amherst, to aid the Amherst Planning Board in designing ordinances that result in preserving and enhancing the unique quality of life and culture of
New Hampshire, and to guide the Planning Board in the performance of its other duties in a manner that achieves the principles of smart growth, sound planning,
and wise resource protection.
The Amherst Master Plan was last revised in 1998, but the most recent complete rewrite was
more than 30 years ago.
The population has grown and many things have changed. A new master plan is needed for Amherst.
The year 2007 is the year for Amherst to write a new Master Plan.
How is a Master plan created? Can I provide input without attending meetings? How can I participate? Here are
answers to some of your questions.
You can have other questions answers by asking them on the
Amherst Master Plan Discussion Website.
Close your eyes for a minute and go back thirty years. The top recording artists are Elton John, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Peter Frampton. ......
And Amherst was a small town in the middle of big changes as it transformed from a small farming community to a much larger bedroom community for
people who worked in Nashua, Manchester, and even Boston.
Read a little more of
Amherst's history and see Amherst's first zoning ordinance.
Participants
All Amherst citizens are invited and authorized to participate in any Amherst Master Planning meetings or activities scheduled throughout 2007.
Details for and about participants are available here.
Read the
Amherst Master Plan Frequently Asked Question for a brief introduction to this project.
And join our mailing list for Master Plan discussions. Join to ask questions, provide comments, or just to listen.
Pictures on this site, above and elsewhere, are provided by the
Historical Society of Amherst, NH,
Bruce Beckley, Richard Hart, and others.
Pictures above, from top to bottom and left to right, Carriage Lane and Main Street, c1906; Belden's Mill, behind Town Hall, c1894;
Tink's Blacksmith Shop, Middle Street, c1910; Amherst Hotel, c1880; Mike's Service Station, c1999; Clark School, c1995; Sawyer's Cabin, Peabody Mill, c1998;
Amherst citizens listening to speaker on the green, c1998; July 4th parade; Library sign; Route 101A parking lot c2000.
Our Neighbors' Plans
What Next?
February 20th, 2008
A complete
draft of the Amherst Master Plan is available, including all existing condition elements,
and a new draft goals statement.
This draft provides all the information about where we are today and and the current problems that need to be addressed, providing
the current state of the town.
The next step is to begin work on the town's goals. A first draft of these goals is now available for review.
These draft documents will be discussed at the Feb. 20th meeting and plans for more detailed reviews of each element will be made.
Make your thoughts known, either on the
discussion forum, or at a future meeting.
The
process we will follow, as provided by
Community Preservation Associates,
is available. We are now beginning the integration step, with a review of the current conditions described in the draft, and identification of
the key issues, opportunities, and challenges.
The Amherst Master Plan will be composed of nine elements:
Community Vision & Goals,
Population & Housing,
Economic Development,
Natural Resources & Conservation,
Recreation,
Cultural & Historic Resources,
Public Services & Facilities,
Transportation & Circulation,
Land Use,
Implementation,
These elements will form the major chapters of the final Master Plan and they will be the subjects of the meetings, discussions, and other Master Plan events.
Discussion & Contributions
There are and will be many ways to participate in the Master Plan discussions and to contribute your thoughts.
Online, you can add whatever you wish on the
Amherst Master Plan Discussion website.
Meetings will be scheduled for more detailed discussins and presentations.
There are also plans for some other ways to provide your thoughts which will be announced here.
Guidance
Amherst has hired
Community Preservation Associates to help guide our efforts to write a new Master Plan.
They will guide us as we discuss the issues and our visions. They will collect the information that we think is important and assemble it into a final
Master Plan, as directed by the Planning Board, in accordance with
NH RSA 672:1 .
Recent Changes
Draft Documents have recently been added.
If you have documents, links, corrections or other information to contribute to this website, please send them to the webmaster, Richard Hart, at
.
