Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Regulations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bolton PZC schedules July 8 hearing on proposed middle-housing zoning changes
Summary
The Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to hold a July 8, 2026 public hearing on proposed changes to Zoning Regulations Section 450-7.2 (Middle Housing). Commissioners agreed to remove fiber cement board as an allowed primary material, exclude flat roofs, set height at 40 feet/three stories, and declined to set a maximum unit size.
The Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission voted on June 10 to hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Zoning Regulations Section 450-7.2, the towns middle-housing provisions. Chair Tom Manning moved to "hold a public hearing online and in person on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, beginning at 7:30 PM"; James Cropley seconded and the motion carried 700.
The draft amendments, discussed at length by commissioners and staff, aim to refine standards for cottage-cluster developments and other middle-housing types. Patrice Carson, AICP, consulting director of community development, said staff incorporated lessons from past projects, including the Loomis Road development, into the proposed language.
PZC member Ellen King successfully recommended removing fiber cement board (lapped, shingled, or panel) from the list of permitted primary materials; the commission voted informally in favor of that change during discussion. Commissioners also agreed to exclude flat roofs as out of character for the surrounding area and discussed design expectations such as operable windows and preservation or rebuilding of stone walls and large trees.
On dimensional and scale issues, the commission discussed removing maximum building width and considered eliminating maximum building coverage because other controls limit building size. The commission discussed pre-existing non-conformities and agreed landscaping and green-space requirements could be enforced. The body agreed not to establish a maximum unit size, noting municipal approaches differ on bedroom limits intended to promote affordability. A height limit of 40 feet and three stories was discussed as the proposed cap.
Other revisions under consideration include requiring bike storage and specifying refuse-area treatments for small developments; commissioners noted that two-unit buildings would not require a dumpster, only a designated and screened area for refuse cans. Staff clarified that shared utilities would not change summary-review applicability for these developments.
The hearing on July 8 will allow public input on the draft Section 450-7.2 (PL-26-2). The commission did not adopt the regulation at the June 10 meeting and will consider public comments and any revisions after the hearing.
