AMHERST — After informing a developer about concerns that there would be insufficient parking on site, town planners have approved a mixed-use project that will bring 57 one-bedroom apartments and some new commercial space to the East Amherst village center.
The 5-1 vote in favor of the site plans and special permit for South East Commons came after developer Amir Mikhchi agreed to reduce the number of dwellings in the three-story building and crafted a management plan for the property that will ensure there are enough places for tenants and visitors to park, Planning Director Christine Brestrup said on Monday. Planning Board member Janet McGowan cast the lone no vote.
Mikhchi said he hopes to have the project, at 133 and 143 South East St., complete in the next year to 15 months.
The development comes more than a decade after Town Meeting in 2007 agreed to rezone the land for a so-called “in-fill” project that will bring more residents, services and jobs to the village center.
Already, the 1.26-acre site has been cleared of two small rental homes, a “minimal traditional” architectural style home built around 1937 and a Cape Cod-style home built around 1953, as well as about a dozen public shade trees, the largest a catalpa measuring 42 inches diameter at breast height. Mikhchi got approvals for the demolition of the homes from the Historical Commission and removal of the trees from Town Manager Paul Bockelman.
The site will have 67 parking spaces. The Planning Board agreed this was enough for the building after Mikhchi removed five apartments from the original plans, and created indoor storage for 50 bicycles, and converted another apartment into a gym for tenants. Zipcar may also be available on site.
In addition, Mikhchi has promised that 12 of the apartments will be rented to individuals or couples who pledge not to have vehicles.
In the parking lot, 45 spaces will be for tenants, 13 for visitors, and four for the retail and commercial entities. A spot outside the main door will be a pickup and dropoff zone for ride share services.
Brestrup said to replace the trees that have been removed, Mikhchi intends to plant new trees and shrubs and install benches in the public way, creating an amenity that the public will be able to use. Much of the nearby neighborhood includes strip malls, gas stations and apartment complexes, meaning there are not places where people can sit down to enjoy a sandwich or rest while walking.
“That will create a park-like setting in the town right of way,” Brestrup said.
Brestrup said she is writing up the decision and will have it filed with the town clerk’s office following the Planning Board’s Nov. 6 meeting, when members are expected to sign the decision.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
