Planning board workshops multiple zoning updates: chickens, timber harvesting, sidewalks, ADUs and affordable‑housing provisions

WELLS, Maine — At the July 21 workshop session the Town of Wells Planning Board reviewed a package of proposed zoning and ordinance changes that would update local code to reflect recent state law changes and local planning goals.

Key topics reviewed

Chickens and backyard fowl: The board discussed state changes that set a cap of 36 birds for certain residential lots and impose a minimum outdoor space requirement (4 square feet per fowl) plus a 15‑foot coop setback from property lines. Board members recommended keeping local “large poultry” thresholds at 20–36 to balance state allowances with neighborhood expectations.

Timber harvesting: Staff proposed replacing the town’s existing timber‑harvesting language with language that mirrors state requirements so that enforcement responsibilities and standards can align with state practice. The board agreed this would allow the town to seek coordinated enforcement with the state and local conservation district; members removed an outdated reference to the York County Soil and Water Conservation District that no longer performs those reviews.

Sidewalks, bike lanes and the Route 1 corridor study: The board revisited earlier discussions about an expanded sidewalk overlay zone. Members debated whether to require sidewalks for any development in the Route 1 corridor and whether to mandate sidewalks for new single‑family and small‑scale residential additions under a new state lot‑division law. They asked staff to reference the Route 1 corridor study explicitly for where bike lanes and sidewalk modifications are expected and to consider requiring sidewalks for new residential units in the corridor study area rather than town‑wide.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Board members reviewed proposed ADU language carried over from a prior joint draft with the select board. Topics included raising the ADU maximum size from 600 to 800 square feet, setting a larger minimum footprint for detached ADUs so they resemble permanent housing rather than temporary units, and clarifying owner‑occupancy requirements (owner must occupy the parcel for at least 183 days per year). Members also asked staff to add a provision to limit short‑term rental use: when an ADU is created the owner must commit that neither unit will be used for rentals shorter than 12 consecutive months.

Affordable housing provisions: The board reviewed state‑required language on affordable housing and density bonuses for affordable projects; members discussed a 30‑year affordability requirement from the state statute and considered stronger local language (longer or in‑perpetuity restrictions) for projects receiving density increases.

Next steps: Staff will revise the draft ordinance to (1) reference the Route 1 corridor study explicitly where bike lanes are discussed, (2) propose ADU size/minimums and owner‑occupancy wording, and (3) remove references to agencies that no longer perform the cited reviews. The board scheduled further workshop review at its next meeting and said it will forward recommended changes to the select board and town attorney before any public hearing or ballot scheduling.

Ending: The board agreed to continue work on the package and to aim for a coordinated joint public hearing with the select board in time for the November ballot, subject to attorney review and timing of the state’s new statutory changes.