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South Berwick hears detailed briefing on LD 1829 and potential growth-area changes
Summary
Planner Matt DeCarlo told the Town Council how Maines LD 1829 (effective July 2026) will change local land-use controls, including ADU rules, density calculations (potentially up to 32 units per acre in serviced growth areas), and limits on moratoria. Councilors asked for workshops and urged outreach to water and sewer districts.
Matt DeCarlo, a planner presenting remotely, briefed the South Berwick Town Council on LD 1829 and focused on how the laws growth-area provisions will affect the town when the statute takes effect in July 2026. "A growth area is where you want to direct the majority of new development," DeCarlo said, and noted that the bill alters many local land-use levers the town has traditionally used.
DeCarlo explained key changes: accessory dwelling units (ADUs) no longer require owner occupancy or sprinklers in standalone ADUs, planning-board review is limited for small multifamily structures, and setback rules now apply uniformly regardless of dwelling count. He walked the council through a numerical formula in the law used to…
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