Planning Board, CRC Continue ADU, Data Center Hearings

Planning Board · Meeting of October 22, 2026

Amherst's Planning Board and Town Council committee continued hearings on ADU size rules and a data center ban to November 12. Building Commissioner Rob Moore told the joint session an accessory dwelling unit had already been built with unfinished upper-level space that would count toward the 900-square-foot cap under the proposed rules, saying "it has happened, that's why we're addressing this now." Councilor Mandy Jo Haneke pressed staff on whether excluding "enclosed porches" and "common areas" differently than state regulations risked legal challenge; staff agreed the town is "at risk of a challenge." On data centers, member Angus McLeod argued a proposed one-megawatt threshold would wrongly sweep in small servers, while member Bruce Coldham called the draft definition's wording "legalese that makes me yawn." Both boards voted 6-0 and 5-0, and later 6-0 and 4-0, to continue the respective hearings. Andrew Mikula also presented on statewide Ballot Question 7, citing 63 percent voter support in August polling.

In the full story:

• Roll Call and a Resignation
• Joint Public Hearing: ADU Floor Area, Half-Stories and Attics
• Joint Public Hearing: Proposed Data Center Ban
• Presentation: Ballot Question 7, Legalize Starter Homes
• General Housing Discussion and Scheduling
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,683 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.