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Stoddard ZBA reviews proposed zoning ordinance changes to allow some commercial uses and revise ADU short‑term rental rule
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Town of Stoddard Zoning Board of Adjustment reviewed proposed amendments to Articles III and IV of the CPO to allow certain commercially related activities by-right on residential lots and to remove a prior ADU restriction on short-term rentals to comply with statutory changes from July 2025. No ordinance adoption vote was recorded.
Planning Board Chairperson Herb Healy led the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) in a review of proposed amendments to Article III and Article IV of the Town of Stoddard’s Code of Planning and Ordinances (CPO).
The board examined a proposed new Section 5 in Article IV intended to permit, by right, certain commercially related activities on residentially zoned property that might otherwise be prohibited under the town’s permissive zoning approach. Healy explained that the proposed change is meant to make explicit which commercial activities would be allowed without a special exception. The board also reviewed a proposed change to Article III that would eliminate the previous accessory dwelling unit (ADU) subsection #10 restriction on short-term rentals (periods under 30 days) to ensure compliance with statutory changes enacted in July 2025.
Board members discussed the intent of the language and how the changes would interact with existing use definitions; the minutes record the board’s review but do not show a formal vote to adopt the amendments at this meeting. Healy cautioned that Article IV’s new Section 5 is intended to clarify permitted uses rather than expand authority beyond the town’s permissive-zoning framework. The minutes do not record public comment or substantive amendments proposed during the discussion.
The record shows the board reviewed the draft language and context; no adoption action or final vote was recorded in the minutes. The proposed amendments remain under board consideration and will appear again on a future agenda if and when formal action is scheduled.
