AMHERST — Plans for an 80-unit, mixed-use development in East Amherst, submitted to the Planning Department this month, are being reviewed in advance of a public hearing in late February.
Nate Malloy, assistant director of planning and economic development, told the Planning Board at its Jan. 21 meeting that he is aiming to open the hearing on the project known as South East Court Apartments on Feb. 25.
According to documents filed by Fort River LLC, the project features a 15,400-square-foot, three-story T-shaped building, with close to 5,000 square feet of retail, or non-residential space, on the first floor. It would be developed by Amir Mikhchi, who runs the Auto Express franchises in Amherst and Hadley.
The development would be on 2.19 acres at 126, 140 and 148 South East St., though the driveway and some of the parking would extend to 43 Belchertown Road. The property has been the site of single-family homes, situated between Auto Express and Cumberland Farms and an entrance to Colonial Village Apartments.
The building would rise opposite another that was opened several years ago, known as South East Commons. Those 57 apartments, with space for three retailers on the ground level, were also developed by Mikhchi.
Amherst’s Conservation Commission has already been reviewing the plans, informing Joshua Kline from Stonefield Engineering and Design at a meeting earlier in January that he will need to hire peer reviewers to provide information about stormwater and hydrology on the site.
Neighbors have brought forward concerns about extensive amounts of water running off that property and the South East Commons site in recent years, with more impervious surface and fewer trees.
Wetlands Administrator Erin Jacque said there are also questions about the soil and possible contamination, with the area of the property closest to Belchertown Road used as a Texaco gas station until 1970. Used cars have also been stored on a portion of the property.