The Brentwood Planning Board voted to forward two zoning amendments to the town ballot and continued a larger set of proposed land‑use changes after a long public discussion about scale, traffic and wetlands.

Board members voted to recommend that voters consider an amendment to remove the requirement that the select board sign building permits and instead vest sign‑off with the building inspector and code enforcement officer, arguing the change streamlines permitting and reflects current staffing and inspection practices.

The board also voted to place a revised accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance on the town election ballot. Under the proposal, detached ADUs would be allowed by right with a maximum living area of 1,100 square feet (the state minimum is lower), a maximum gross building footprint of 1,100 square feet, and an owner‑occupancy requirement that prevents condo conversion. Board members stressed the ordinance language balances state requirements with measures intended to keep ADUs truly accessory to a principal dwelling.

"ADUs are a multigenerational housing option," a board member said during the discussion, and several residents urged the board to preserve neighborhood character while complying with state law. Christina Johnson, a resident, told the board she supported allowing detached ADUs as consistent with community survey results, while other residents said they feared aesthetic change and possible condo or short‑term‑rental conversions.

The largest and most contentious portion of the meeting reviewed proposed multifamily allowances in commercial zones and a workforce housing incentive (a density bonus that would allow up to 8 units per developable acre when workforce units are provided, otherwise 6 units per acre). Consultant Wayne presented two scale illustrations for a 20.24‑acre site adjacent to Tractor Supply: a garden‑style apartment layout (60 units, ~100 bedrooms on the hypothetical site under the draft rules) and a townhouse/multifamily scenario. Several residents said those examples were visually and operationally intrusive for Brentwood, noting Route 125 traffic concerns, wetlands and septic constraints.

Board and consultant exchanges underscored legal constraints: recent state law preempts certain local prohibitions by requiring multifamily be allowed in commercial zones starting July 1; the board said its goal is to craft defensible, locally appropriate rules to give the town more control than doing nothing. After extended comment and requests for clearer definitions (especially for "light industrial" and how outdoor storage is treated), the board voted to continue the multifamily/district‑map hearing to January 22 to allow revision of map labels, definitions, and to gather additional public input.