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Planning Board backs easing special-permit burden for many renovations to single- and two-family homes
Summary
The board recommended that town meeting raise the special-permit threshold for increases in habitable floor area from 25% to 75% and clarify relief for nonconforming structures; the board voted to forward a favorable recommendation.
The Norwood Planning Board voted March 24 to recommend that town meeting approve amendments to the town’s nonconforming-structure provisions that change when property owners must obtain more extensive relief for renovations.
Under the proposed amendment, alterations to preexisting nonconforming single- and two-family structures that increase habitable floor area by 75% or less would not automatically require a special permit; the building commissioner could approve such changes if they do not increase the nonconforming nature. The change raises the current special-permit threshold from 25% to 75% of the original habitable floor area. The amendment also clarifies that creating or expanding new nonconformities would require variance relief where appropriate, aligning the standard across property types.
Board staff and Zoning Board of Appeals members said the change reflects local practice and reduces the need for routine, costly appeals where the ZBA typically grants relief. Planning staff told the board the ZBA and building inspector had reviewed the language and supported the revisions.
A board member moved that the Planning Board give a favorable recommendation to town meeting on the article; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with one board member recorded as opposed. The amendment will be submitted on the town meeting warrant, and the board’s recommendation will accompany the article.
