Accountability Posts

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OFF-AGENDA CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS

At the Jan 22 Planning Board meeting, officials discussed Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—a high-stakes zoning issue—despite it not being on the public agenda. Staff is now reviewing if a non-public session is needed to discuss... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/planning-board/2025-01-22/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH

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Community concerns raised but addressed via withdrawal

Amherst Planning Board update: After intense resident pushback on Jan 22, the board voted to withdraw the Home Occupation zoning amendment from the ballot. Residents argued the proposed rules were too restrictive for local... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/planning-board/2025-01-22/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH

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Lack of specificity in public notice/agenda

Transparency alert: The Jan 22 Planning Board agenda listed a single 'Zoning Ordinance Amendment,' but the meeting actually functioned as two separate hearings: one for Home Occupations and another for Residential Driveways... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/planning-board/2025-01-22/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH

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What is the Amherst Planning Board discussing behind closed doors? At the Jan 22 meeting, a high-stakes topic—Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—was addressed despite not being on the public agenda. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH

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The Board tasked staff with reviewing a Town Council letter regarding ADUs to see if a 'non-public session' is required. ADUs are a major zoning issue, yet residents were given no prior notice that this would be discussed.

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This follows a contentious meeting where the Board also treated a single agenda item as two separate hearings (Home Occupations and Residential Driveways). When agendas are vague, residents can't prepare. We need clarity on what is being decided.

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The outcome: The Home Occupation amendment was withdrawn after residents argued it would unfairly restrict local tradespeople. We will continue to monitor how ADU decisions are handled moving forward. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/planning-board/2025-01-22/

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Longer-form draft.

Transparency Alert: During the January 22 Planning Board meeting, a significant topic was addressed that was not listed on the public agenda: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). 

While the board did not vote on ADUs, staff were tasked with reviewing a letter from the Town Council to determine if a 'non-public session' is necessary to discuss the matter. ADU regulations are high-stakes zoning decisions that impact property rights and housing availability, yet residents were not given prior notice that this topic would be part of the meeting.

Additionally, the meeting's agenda lacked specificity. While the public notice listed a singular 'Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment,' the board actually conducted two distinct hearings: one regarding Home Occupations and another regarding Residential Driveways. 

Public notice is meant to allow residents to prepare and participate. When agendas are vague or high-impact topics are discussed without prior notice, it limits meaningful community oversight. We will continue to follow the developments regarding ADU discussions. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/amherst/planning-board/2025-01-22/ #MeetingWatch #AmherstNH