Lewiston planning board backs looser rules for temporary on-site housing during owner-occupied construction

The Lewiston Planning Board on April 28 voted to recommend that the City Council adopt amendments to Appendix A, Article 5 of the city’s zoning and land use code to allow temporary on-site housing during the construction of new owner-occupied dwelling units, increase permit duration, and permit off-grid utility systems under specified conditions.

The change would make temporary housing available “upon the construction of a new owner occupied dwelling unit on a vacant lot,” increase the initial permit to 12 months with a single extension allowed, and allow off-grid electrical and waste arrangements if authorized by the electrical inspector or if staff approves an alternate water/waste management plan. The board’s motion was made pursuant to Article 7, Section 4 and Article 17, Section 5 of the zoning and land use code and passed by roll call vote (6–1).

Planning staff presented the amendments as a package of edits to Article 5. “Section 3 e, temporary housing. There are 4 changes,” staff summarized during the presentation, listing eligibility, the removal of an applicant demonstration requirement, the 12‑month permit term and extension option, and rules for utility systems. The board discussed how the language should address accessory dwelling units and multiple-unit owner-occupied scenarios, and agreed to substitute the phrase “owner occupied dwelling unit” for earlier references to “single‑family” to avoid excluding ADU configurations permitted by recent state law.

Board members pressed staff on operational details. Alexander Pine raised whether ADUs built as part of a single‑family project would still qualify; staff and board members agreed the revised wording—allowing temporary housing while constructing a new owner‑occupied dwelling unit—was intended to cover common ADU situations while limiting temporary housing to one unit per lot at a time. Commissioner Roger Dupree and others asked about permitting limits and technical requirements for off‑grid systems; staff said electrical inspector authorization and approved water/waste plans would be required when the temporary unit is not connected to municipal services.

Not all members supported the package. Michael Marcotte said he could not back the temporary housing changes. “I I can't support the temporary housing, changes,” he said during discussion. The motion to forward a favorable recommendation passed by roll call: Roger Dupree, Mark Roy, Shanna Cox, Amy Smith, Alexander Pine and Zoe Lindstrom voted yes; Michael Marcotte voted no. Zoe Lindstrom served and voted as the associate member in place of an absent regular member.

The recommendation now goes to the Lewiston City Council for its consideration; staff said they will provide the amended ordinance language and the board record for the council packet.