Amherst Town Hall.

The Amherst Town Council rejected a resident petition Monday that would have slapped a six-month ban on new apartment buildings over three stories.

The 4-9 vote came after lobbying by a faction of town residents upset at a 5-story infill development proposed for the north end of the city’s downtown and a pair of similar projects built in recent years. Other concerns included fears that local shops would be unable to afford the rent in new developments.

Proponents argued the delay was necessary to create dimensional and streetscape rules for new buildings.

The Amherst Gazette reported that Council President Lynn Griesmemer led opposition to the measure, arguing that the town must move away from its reputation as one “toxic” to developers, and that a moratorium on building permits would not address concerns about retail shops.

In addition to the development moratorium, the council also voted on updates to the town’s affordable housing ordinance, mandating that any new development with more than nine units provide affordable housing. Previously, developments only needed to set aside affordable units if they created a net increase in units existing on the site, and if they triggered a special permit process based on dimensional factors.