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Planning board votes to send new bedroom and household definitions to town council
Summary
The New Shoreham Planning Board voted Dec. 10 to send proposed zoning changes — adopting the state’s updated definition of “household,” adding a new section capping occupants per household in limited sewage situations, and updating the bedroom definition — to the town council for consideration.
The New Shoreham Planning Board voted Dec. 10 to forward proposed amendments to the town council that update the definitions of “household” and “bedroom” in the zoning code and add a new section limiting household occupancy in specified sewage conditions.
Peter said the state changed the legal definition of “household” last year and recommended aligning the town code. “We are amending our ordinance to follow suit,” he told the board, explaining that the draft moves household-size restrictions into a section focused on public‑health concerns such as sewage capacity and on‑site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) standards.
Board members questioned draft language in the new occupancy subsection that would limit households without public sewer or an approved OWTS to one person per bedroom, noting the phrase’s reference to “drains not connected to at least an on‑site wastewater treatment system” appeared aimed at older cesspool situations. One member said the provision may never apply to new construction because new homes are typically connected to OWTS or public sewer; Peter said the language is intended to cover edge cases and to preserve clarity for future applications.
After discussing grandfathering for existing uses and whether the subsection should be simplified, the board’s chair moved to send the package — changes to sections 202 (definitions), 506 (bedroom count location), and a new section on number of occupants per household — to the town council with a finding of consistency with the comprehensive plan. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; members said only “aye.”
The board instructed staff to clarify the wording around OWTS/public sewer and to prepare corrected draft language and graphics for the council. The item will return to the planning board for further action if the council requests changes.
