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Committee files ADU petitions and asks administration to draft state‑compliant ordinance revisions
Summary
The committee voted to file three petitions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and requested the administration prepare a draft amendment to bring Worcester’s ADU ordinance into compliance with the state Affordable Homes Act, and to consider minor dimensional adjustments based on one year of implementation experience.
The Economic Development Committee took up three related petitions proposing changes to Worcester’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and voted to file them while requesting the administration to prepare a draft ordinance to bring the city’s rules into compliance with the state Affordable Homes Act.
Peter Dunn, chief development officer, reminded the committee that the council adopted an ADU ordinance in January 2024 and that the state Affordable Homes Act adds requirements that limit what local rules may impose. Dunn recommended filing the petitions and directed staff to draft an amendment to the current city ordinance to ensure compliance; he said the administration expects to return to the council with a draft in roughly 30 to 45 days and that minor dimensional tweaks (for example modest changes to height limits) could be proposed based on one year of local experience.
The three items addressed related topics: one petition would change the threshold for allowing ADUs on lots with multiple dwelling units, another petition advocated family‑relationship and parking restrictions and the third asked the committee to reconsider dimensional thresholds. Several residents and stakeholders spoke during public comment urging that the city not add restrictions that would reduce ADU production. Oliver Chadwick, David Webb, Jacob Bridal, Karen Valentine Goins and Joyce Mandel each urged keeping ADU rules permissive and said restrictions such as kinship requirements, added off‑street parking requirements, or vague “preserve neighborhood character” language would limit housing production and risk running afoul of state requirements.
Chair Councillor Candi Merrow Carlson moved to file the three petitions and instructed the administration to return with a draft ordinance to bring the city into compliance with state law and to include recommended dimensional adjustments. On roll call, Councillors Jenny Pacillo, Kate Toomey and Chair Carlson voted yes; the motion carried.
