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Accessory dwelling unit bylaw prompts split among Select Board and Advisory after lengthy debate
Summary
Planning Board told the Select Board and Advisory it had drafted two warrant articles to align local code with the state’s 2024 Affordable Homes Act, allowing ADUs up to 900 sq ft by right; board members expressed deep concerns about design rules, short‑term rentals and who should have permitting authority.
The Planning Board presented two proposed warrant articles to revise Southborough’s accessory dwelling provisions and bring local code into alignment with the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The state law allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) up to 900 square feet to be built “by right” under Chapter 40A, and the town is updating local wording from “accessory apartment” to “accessory dwelling unit” and creating a process for larger units.
Mimi Littrell (Planning Board chair) described the proposal: ADUs 900 square feet and smaller would be allowed with an abbreviated site-plan review by the Planning Board and through the Building Department; ADUs over 900 square feet would require a Planning…
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