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City presents preapproved housing prototypes to Historic Preservation Commission to speed infill and ADUs
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Summary
City staff and an architectural firm presented six preapproved prototype plans (ADUs, 3‑unit and 4‑unit infill designs) intended to lower design costs and encourage modest housing infill; commissioners welcomed the templates for non‑historic areas but urged added architectural detail for compatibility with historic districts.
City staff and the firm Gerhard Turgeon Dillon Architects presented a set of six preapproved architectural prototypes designed to reduce design costs and speed construction of accessory dwelling units and small multifamily infill. Anne Craig, director of community economic development, said the effort aims "to remove barriers for people to create housing units in Bangor" by offering code‑meeting templates that owners can adapt to site conditions.
Architect Devin described the six prototypes: two studio/ADU options (one above a garage), two three‑unit buildings (including a triple‑decker language option), and two four‑unit designs (a cape‑style and a slightly larger flexible option). The intent is to provide efficient, code‑compliant starting points for property owners and builders. "We developed 6 prototypes," Devin said, describing the range from studio ADUs up to four‑unit buildings with options for decks and modest variation.
Commissioners broadly supported the concept for properties outside historic districts, noting the templates could help meet housing needs and match neighborhood scale in many parts of the city. Several commissioners urged the team to consider affordability metrics and to add modest architectural ornament or alternate detailing to increase take‑up and ensure compatibility where owners might want to use them near historic areas. Anne Craig emphasized that use of these preapproved plans in designated historic districts would still be subject to HPC review: "If a property owner in one of the historic districts wants to come in and use one of these plans, it would still be subject to your review," she told the commission.
Staff said cost estimates have not yet been developed; the commission offered to provide further feedback after reviewing detailed drawings on larger screens and suggested linking prototypes to particular neighborhood types (for example, Tree Street triple‑deckers). The city will solicit additional comments and return with refinements.
