Workforce-housing overlay draws technical fixes and is tabled for revision

Select Board members and planning staff spent significant time July 13 reviewing a draft ordinance amendment that would create a workforce affordable housing overlay district (Article 10f).

Dylan Smith, director of planning, and planning-board representatives said the draft needs correction to align density and minimum unit standards with recent state law changes. Smith noted a typographical error affecting the density standard and said the intent was to match state thresholds that will take effect in coming months. "The density standard, it's a it's 500 square feet per dwelling unit," Smith said, explaining how the state calculation translates to 10 units per 5,000 square feet for affordable housing under the new law.

Board members stressed they want changes that are clearly identified as town-driven versus state-required and requested a build-out analysis and clearer language on density, minimum unit size and roofline/visual standards. After discussion the motion to place Article 10f on the November ballot was withdrawn and staff agreed to return with an amended draft and a second public hearing in August.

Ending: The Select Board set a schedule for continued work: staff will refine the draft to correct density language, show which provisions are driven by state law vs local choice, and provide build-out analysis and visuals for an August follow-up meeting.