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Zoning board prepares one-page ADU handout for Town Meeting; debates size limits and two‑family conversion concerns
Summary
The Board of Appeals discussed the ADU warrant article scheduled for Town Meeting, agreed to prepare a one-page handout by April 9, and debated proposed limits (1,200 sq ft), removal of special-permit paths and potential effects on two‑family conversions and septic/Title 5 compliance.
Board members and staff used the March 18 meeting to finalize outreach and messaging for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) warrant article on the April Town Meeting warrant.
Clerk Laura said the Select Board will sponsor the warrant article but asked that the ZBA be prepared to answer questions at Town Meeting. Members agreed a concise one-page handout comparing the current code and proposed changes would be most useful; staff set a drop-dead date of April 9 for materials to be delivered so materials can be staged for town meeting on April 10–11. Mike and Doris volunteered to prepare a short summary for the handout; members emphasized brevity and a five-minute presentation target.
Discussion turned to substance. Members debated a proposed 1,200-square-foot cap on ADUs, whether to preserve a special-permit path for larger units, and concerns that ADU rules could unintentionally create a workaround to convert single-family homes into de facto two-family properties. One member urged separating the ADU changes from any review of the town’s two-year conversion rule and suggested that two-family zoning and conversion timing be addressed later with the Planning Board.
Board members also emphasized that zoning changes do not override Title 5 or other state and local health and safety requirements: any ADU still requires compliance with septic, building-code and historic‑district rules. Members noted manufactured homes and detached ADUs are permissible under state law in some forms but said they would monitor implementation and building‑department review to avoid loopholes.
The board asked for ZBA representation at a March 23 Planning Board session and agreed to finalize and submit the one‑page handout by April 9 so the Select Board and town staff can include it for Town Meeting outreach.
