The Town of Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 5 approved a special exception to construct an attached, 744‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit at 20 Valhalla Drive (Map 36, Lot 91).

Chair Andrea Coco Chapel said, "The criteria for this special exception has been satisfied. The application is approved." The board’s vote was recorded as four yes votes from the members present.

The ADU was presented to the board by Fred and Eileen Hammel on behalf of property owners Matthew and Kelly Farmer. The application describes a one‑story, attached ADU with one bedroom, one common wall and at least two off‑street parking spaces; the applicants reported four off‑street parking spaces on the property. The application indicates the ADU will be owner‑occupied and that the unit will be developed to maintain the single‑family character of the principal dwelling.

During discussion board members asked about how the application counted "non‑conditioned" spaces such as stairwells and unfinished entries when calculating gross living area. Member Joan Darje noted prior cases in which unheated or unfinished entry areas were not counted; the board said it had requested written clarification from Community Development and the building inspector but had not received it before the hearing. The board proceeded with the application based on the submitted figure of 744 square feet and noted the building inspector will review code compliance during the pending building‑permit process.

Neighbor Wendy Cody of 15 Briarcliff Drive spoke at public comment to ask whether the ADU would encroach on her yard; the chair replied the application met setback requirements and that the ADU will be attached to the side of the house, not within her property.

The board tied the approval to the ADU criteria cited in the application: Residence A District standards and the town ADU provisions, including limits on ADU size (no more than 750 square feet), a maximum of two bedrooms, one interior common access of at least 36 inches, and a single ADU per property.

Board members and staff reminded the applicants that a 30‑day appeal period applies. Chair Coco Chapel and the board advised the applicants to contact Community Development to complete the building‑permit and inspection steps; the chair said Community Development might contact the applicants after the board’s decision. The board noted that if the applicants begin construction before the appeal period ends they risk reversal if an appeal is filed and sustained.

The board’s formal finding and approval were recorded on the special‑exception worksheet; the board notified the applicants of the 30‑day appeal window and next steps for the building permit and code inspection.