I was disappointed to see Question 7 narrowly fail last Tuesday. This smart, progressive zoning reform had the potential to open new opportunities for affordable homeownership by lowering barriers to building small starter homes. It was an opportunity to shift market conditions away from McMansions and towards housing that can serve young families, working-class folks and young professionals. That’s why it was endorsed by several progressive organizations, elected leaders and affordable housing and community development organizations.
But while Question 7 fell just one point short statewide, it won in a landslide in my town of Amherst. Here in Amherst, 64% of voters voted “yes.” Across all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, Amherst had the 10th highest “yes” vote. And it wasn’t limited to one part of town. “Yes” won in every voting precinct. And this in an election with a whopping 58% voter turnout (compared to only 28% turnout in the last local election). This represents the interests of a much broader swath of the community than the small minority of folks who watch Council meetings or show up to Planning Board public hearings.
The evidence from this election is crystal clear: Amherst voters support the zoning reforms in Question 7. And just because the measure fell short statewide doesn’t mean we can’t enact it on a local level. And we should.
I am encouraging the Amherst Town Council and Planning Board to honor the will of Amherst voters and adopt the minimum lot size and frontage requirements from Question 7.
Given the clear voice with which Amherst voters showed their support for these changes at the ballot box, the voters have given the council a clear mandate. For them not to enact them would disregard the will of the people they serve.
Evan Ross
Amherst