Woburn council keeps proposed ADU zoning changes in committee, seeks staff briefing

The Woburn City Council opened public comment on a proposed zoning amendment to add a protected-use accessory dwelling unit (ADU) section and continued the matter for committee review, with the city solicitor and building commissioner invited to brief the committee.

President Dillon introduced the ordinance change and noted that state ADU rules and recent changes prompted a thorough local review. He said the solicitor’s redline and related materials are in the extended agenda for committee study and that staff and the solicitor’s office will be asked to discuss enforcement and departmental responsibilities at the committee meeting. "It is our hope that we get this taken care of sooner rather than later so that anybody applying will fall under the regulations as they were drafted by solicitor Salvati," the president said.

Members of the public spoke in support. Christopher Sylvia of 13 Bennett Street said, "I do think that the ADU ordinance ought to pass," adding that the council should avoid overly restrictive rules that would discourage modest units for family members. Sasha Hernandez, also of 13 Bennett Street, said she supported ADUs as a small-scale option to expand housing choices.

Why it matters: ADU rules shape whether homeowners can add small rental or family units on existing lots, affecting neighborhood scale, housing supply, and enforcement responsibilities. Councilors asked for input from the building commissioner and city solicitor to ensure clarity about permitting, enforcement and applicability to nonconforming properties.

Process and next steps: Clerk Higgins noted that the full zoning amendment and redline materials are available through the clerk’s office and the extended agenda; councilors moved to continue the public hearing to the May 20 council meeting and to request a formal briefing by the building commissioner and the city solicitor at the committee meeting.