Leslie Snell, Director of Planning, and Senior Planner Megan Trudell briefed the Select Board on 25 planning‑board articles proposed for the May Town Meeting warrant. Several are technical map‑rezonings to implement the town’s 2009 master plan; others respond to a recent state law dubbed the Affordable Homes Act.

Trudell explained the state law requires towns to adopt a standard definition of accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Under the state definition an ADU must be a self‑contained unit on the same lot as a principal dwelling and is limited to the smaller of 900 square feet or one‑half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling; municipalities must allow ADUs and allow multiple ADUs by special permit. Trudell said the proposed bylaw amendments harmonize town definitions and the use chart with state requirements.

Separately, staff presented a proposed cottage‑community bylaw intended to encourage small owner‑occupied units for year‑round housing (one to three bedrooms per unit, special‑permit review, shared access and site plan components). Planning staff said the bylaw is designed to create smaller ownership opportunities while requiring site‑level review to address parking, access, and neighborhood compatibility; the planning board will hear public input and may refine the article.

Other proposed zoning changes discussed included: technical rezones (RC2 to residential districts) to align land use with surrounding parcels; solar clarifications to treat ground‑mounted systems as accessory uses subject to setbacks and ground‑cover limits; an inclusionary‑housing update clarifying how inclusionary requirements apply in mixed‑use developments; and a proposed island‑wide prohibition of standalone pickleball facilities in response to neighborhood noise and compatibility concerns.

Select Board members asked for more analysis on how cottage communities and expanded ADU allowances could affect water, sewer and parking capacity, particularly outside downtown. The planning director and Trudell said they would produce a visual analysis of likely unit increases by zoning district and return to the board before the warrant is finalized.