Peabody committee advances revisions to accessory dwelling unit zoning, seeks legal and building-inspector opinions

The Peabody City Industrial and Community Development Committee on June 12 reviewed a revised zoning amendment to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and voted to request written opinions from the city solicitor and the building commissioner before finalizing the language.

Community Development Director Kurt Bellavance told the committee he revised a state model ordinance after committee feedback and that the draft now trims the purpose statement, tightens definitions and adds references to local standards such as the zoning dimensional controls in section 7.2. "I appeared before you, in March with a, draft of a, ordinance regarding, ADUs or accessory dwelling units," Bellavance said as he summarized changes.

The proposed changes would (1) resolve overlapping definitions (for example, the word "lot" is defined both in the ADU section and in the main zoning definitions), (2) remove a broad "transit station" definition that Bellavance said does not apply to Peabody, (3) add a definition for family accessory living area (FALA or FALAs) because the ADU text references it,…