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Planning board backs ordinance to promote housing growth, expedite permits and allow tiny homes and expanded ADUs
Summary
The Gardner City Planning Board voted to recommend a package of zoning changes intended to ease housing production, including by‑right multifamily in select areas, tiny homes, expanded ADU allowances and an expedited 90‑day review process.
The Gardner City Planning Board voted to recommend ordinance 11704, a wide‑ranging zoning package intended to promote housing production through reduced parking requirements, by‑right multifamily in selected areas, a housing priority overlay for starter homes, expanded rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and an expedited permitting timeline.
Planning staff read a letter from Anita Muhammad, identified in the submission as a property manager with Simplified Management, supporting the changes: "I strongly support the proposed zoning ordinance updates and reduce park parking requirements to 1 space per unit ... These changes will encourage responsible growth," the letter reads. The board discussed several elements at length, including parking ratios for tiny homes (the draft lists one off‑street parking space per three tiny homes, with shared or on‑street parking allowed as approved by the board), ADU size limits, and an overlay district that sets starter‑home density and minimum bedroom requirements.
Key provisions discussed include an expedited review provision that would toll a decision to 90 days from receipt of a complete application (with a tolling period while the applicant submits requested additional materials), a starter‑home overlay that would encourage lots for small single‑family units with a density minimum (the draft references 4 starter homes per acre and additional affordability targets for larger projects), and a proposed maximum ADU size increase in local code (board discussed reconciling local maximums with the state ADU statutory baseline of 900 square feet).
Board members raised concerns about reduced parking minimums and a proposed reduction in the paved surface setback between parking and lot lines from 10 to 5 feet, noting that lower setbacks could encourage greater impervious coverage and parking pushed closer to lot lines. The chair said the item should be forwarded to City Council with notes to discuss the buffer and language aligning local ADU size limits with state requirements.
A motion to recommend ordinance 11704 to City Council passed by voice vote. Staff said they will share the Planning Board's comments with the mayor prior to the City Council hearing.
