Sharon Planning Board approves edits to accessory dwelling unit bylaw to align with state guidance

The Sharon Planning Board voted Tuesday to accept edits to the town’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw intended to align Section 8.1 with State guidelines and the Attorney General’s direction. The hearing was held virtually and opened and closed the same evening.

Chair Rob Maidman opened the public hearing at 7 p.m. and Peter Ford read the published legal notice. Assistant Town Engineer Sonal Pai told the board that "the AG’s office had comments to tweak on this to match UHLC guidelines" and that Attorney Karis North prepared the required edits. "I needed Ms. North as it was difficult to match draft and guidelines," Pai said.

Chair Maidman moved to accept the edits and Dianne Needle seconded the motion; by roll call vote the board approved the changes 5-0-0. The board then voted 5-0-0 to close the public hearing.

The amendments were presented as technical adjustments to ensure the bylaw matches state guidance; no public testimony or competing proposals were recorded during the session. The board did not publish an implementation date during the meeting.

The Planning Board minutes state that complete copies of the proposed documents can be obtained from the Sharon Town Clerk and from the Sharon Engineering Department, and list an attorney and UHLC guidance as the basis for the edits. The board’s action was limited to accepting the attorney-recommended revisions and closing the hearing; any further procedural steps or final warrant placement were not recorded in the meeting transcript.