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Brookfield planning board flags workforce-housing map discrepancy, prepares warrant language and public hearing for January
Summary
Members identified a mismatch between the workforce housing overlay in their zoning and older maps, agreed to resolve the discrepancy and prepare warrant language to update the zoning reference; the board also discussed ordinance edits (including ADU size) and scheduled a warrant public hearing for Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.
The Town of Brookfield Planning Board identified a discrepancy between its zoning reference to a workforce housing map (dated around 2009) and the map available to staff. Members said the map currently on file shows a large overlay that differs from what the board recalls voting (a 500-foot buffer on either side of state roads). The board agreed to locate the original minutes or map and, if necessary, prepare warrant language to correct the zoning reference and reflect the board’s intended 500-foot workforce housing overlay.
Board members discussed next steps: use the accurate map in the master plan draft, prepare short implementation strategies for plan sections, and bring a draft to the board for internal review before a public hearing. The board expects to hold a public hearing on warrant articles in January or February; they set the planning board’s warrant public hearing for Jan. 12 and discussed posting requirements (materials must be posted 10 days before the hearing).
On ordinances, staff circulated suggested edits from SRPC and comments from "Laura." The board reviewed proposed changes to definitions and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) sizing. The state guidance allows ADUs up to about 950 square feet or 30% of the primary dwelling in certain formulations; the town’s current rule references 750 square feet and a 30% alternative. Members discussed whether to revise local limits now or wait for a warrant article next year and leaned toward leaving the current local limit in place to avoid adding multiple warrant articles this year.
Board members asked staff to prepare warrant-language drafts that incorporate Laura’s suggested edits (removing certain SRPC insertions she recommended deleting) and to circulate the draft for review and public posting. The board asked to see a mock-up of the warrant language before finalizing.
