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Planning Board advances housing-related zoning amendments to the 2026 warrant, citing state law and master-plan goals
Summary
The board approved moving amendments addressing accessory dwelling unit parking (to comply with HB 577), two-family dwelling rules (amendments 4 and 5 proposed to be combined), and parking minimums for residential units to the 2026 warrant, citing master-plan housing objectives and state requirements.
The Swansea Planning Board voted to place selected zoning amendments (amendments #2, #3, combined #4/5, and #8) on the 2026 warrant after reviewing changes to accessory dwelling unit rules, two‑family dwelling allowances, and parking requirements.
Staff explained the amendments: remove the interior-door and per‑bedroom parking requirements for attached and detached accessory dwelling units (AADU and DADU) to align local rules with HB 577 (state legislation), allow one AADU/DADU per single‑family lot without additional lot‑size or frontage limits, and change off‑street parking minimums to one space per dwelling unit (state-required). Planning staff also proposed combining amendments 4 and 5 (which would allow two‑family homes in rural agricultural and residence districts under certain conditions) into a single amendment to avoid inconsistent outcomes where one passed and the other failed.
Planning staff member Adam emphasized the tie between the amendments and the town master plan’s housing objectives, calling the two‑family allowance “a modest but meaningful step forward” toward reducing regulatory barriers and supporting the master plan’s objective to assess and remove constraints to housing supply.
Board members discussed density concerns tied to sewer availability, with some members preferring to keep two‑family dwellings subject to special exception in areas where sewer capacity is uncertain; others argued building-permit and site‑plan reviews would catch capacity issues. Ultimately the board decided to withdraw amendments 6 and 7 (which related to density provisions) and to move amendments 2, 3, combined 4/5, and 8 to the warrant.
What happens next: The combined amendment text and the other amendments will appear on the 2026 warrant; staff will publish explanatory materials and continue master-plan follow-up work (including housing assessment and discussions about adaptive reuse and infill).
