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Planning board article on 'cottage colonies' stays on warrant after Select Board debate; opponents cite density concerns
Summary
A Planning Board-backed zoning article proposing ‘‘cottage colonies’’ — deed‑restricted small rental units targeted to households up to 240% of area median income — will stay on the May 3 warrant after the Select Board discussed but ultimately did not exclude it.
A proposed zoning article that would create a new special-permit category for ‘‘cottage colonies’’ — compact arrangements of restricted rental units aimed at households earning up to 240% of area median income — was debated at length on Jan. 22 and will remain on the May 3 warrant after the board voted on an exclusion motion and the motion failed.
Planning staff and the sponsor said the article is intended to create a new development option that allows smaller, year‑round rented units with affordability restrictions monitored by the Affordable Housing Trust. The draft includes controls on structure height, bedroom counts, parking and site-plan review by the Planning Board.
Developer and community commenters — including Art Gasparro — urged caution, saying a literal application of the draft could allow very high densities on some lots and strain services and septic/well capacity. Select Board member Malcolm McKinney moved to exclude the article from the warrant; another member seconded a motion to remove it. The motion to exclude passed in an initial voice vote but the board then recorded opposing votes and the motion failed; the article will proceed to public hearing before the Planning Board (the Planning Board public hearing was scheduled for Jan. 23) for further review.
Select Board members said they had divided views: some supported advancing the article to Planning Board and Town Meeting so the ordinance could be more tightly calibrated through public hearings; others said the concept needs more time and community engagement before going to Town Meeting.
