Visualization Project

The Amherst Industrial Development Agency contracted with Winter & Company to test recommended revisions to the Zoning Code using a combination of three-dimensional computer generated modeling techniques and two-dimensional diagrams. The Town of Amherst Planning Department and the Town’s zoning consultant, Duncan Associates, provided technical support for the project.

Winter & Company reviewed the draft code and found that many of the proposed changes are in keeping with national trends, such as commercial development size, development density and detailed landscape regulations that require screening and buffering elements between land uses.

Improving design is a key objective of the Comprehensive Plan and many components of the revised regulations will be implemented by the private sector. The revised zoning code will allow for the types of development that are occurring throughout the rest of the country that focus on walkable neighborhoods, smart and healthy design, and which are often referred to under “smart growth” or “new urbanism” banners.

This project won an award from the Western New York Chapter of the American Planning Association at its annual meeting in June 2006.