BRPC outlines Seasonal Communities designation for West Stockbridge, highlights zoning changes and funding

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Principal Planner Brett Roberts told the West Stockbridge Planning Board on April 21 that state data identify 36.44% of the town s housing units used seasonally or part-time and that West Stockbridge was offered a Seasonal Communities designation under the Affordable Homes Act (AHA).

Roberts said the AHA, which the presentation characterized as a $5.16 billion package of housing actions, creates optional local tools for designated communities, including year-round housing trusts, 30-year occupancy deed restrictions for year-round units, a possible increase in residential property tax exemptions, essential-public-employee preference, and an artist-housing option. "This provides a toolbox: trusts, occupancy restrictions, tax-exemption authority and additional CIP funding," Roberts said.

Roberts described how designation is determined using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates (2018'022) and noted the town must affirmatively accept the designation by a majority vote at town meeting for the statutory provisions to apply. He said a community that accepts the designation generally has two years to revise zoning bylaws to adopt the required language permitting development on existing undersized lots and allowing tiny houses as-of-right in single-family residential districts when used for year-round attainable housing.

On specific program elements, Roberts said occupancy restrictions tied to year-round units are typically recorded as 30-year deed restrictions, and tiny houses under the program were described in the presentation as 450 square feet or less. The minutes also include a chair's note suggesting the limit might be 400 square feet; the minutes do not resolve that discrepancy, which must be addressed when drafting local bylaws.

Roberts said designated communities become eligible for Capital Investment Plan (CIP) funds under the program, and the presentation said up to $2 million was made available in each of FY26 and FY27, with eligible communities that accepted the designation receiving grants in the range of $50,000 to $175,000 depending on population. "All eligible communities that accepted the designation were eligible to receive a grant of $50,000 - $175,000," the slide deck stated.

Board members asked practical questions during a Q&A. Ryan Beattie asked how seasonal housing is measured; Roberts replied the 2018'022 American Community Survey provides the estimate. Dana Bixby asked whether accepting the designation automatically creates a residential tax exemption; Roberts said a separate town meeting vote would be required to adopt or increase a residential property tax exemption and that the Seasonal Communities vote is distinct from any RTE vote. Sophie Lavin, identified in the minutes as a resident, asked whether designation brings tax exemptions; Roberts confirmed towns may adopt or expand an RTE as a separate action.

Roberts also clarified that local bylaws can prohibit movable "tiny houses on wheels" if the town chooses. He said the state requirement that undersized-lot development meet applicable water and sewer standards remains in effect.

The presentation slides and the board iscussion made clear that accepting the Seasonal Communities designation is a two-step local choice: the town must first vote at town meeting to accept the designation, and then the planning/zoning process must follow to adopt the enabling bylaw language within the two-year window or the designation could lapse under the program rules.