Board proposes rules for tall buildings

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Amherst town board unanimously passed a resolution Monday night that will restrict the height of buildings allowed near neighborhoods.

Board members say they can't put a stop to the proposed six-story Hyatt Place hotel that is expected to go up on Main Street, but they want to protect residents from hi-rise hotels popping up in their backyards in the future.

Council member Mark Manna says, "We need to protect neighborhoods. Six stories don't belong in every single neighborhood in Amherst. In densely populated, established neighborhoods, I think six stories is sometimes too big."

The amendment will now be reviewed by the planning board, and a progress report will be completed by the end of 2013.