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Jackson Planning Board reviews state zoning bills, plans map update and code review
Summary
At its March 20 meeting the Planning Board discussed pending state bills on lot sizes, ADUs, private inspectors and mobile homes, agreed to a 2025 zoning-map update, and asked Building Inspector Kevin Bennett to review local codes for possible town-meeting changes.
Jackson — The Town of Jackson Planning Board reviewed several pending state bills that members said are unlikely to change local rules in most of the town but could require closer attention to building inspection and zoning definitions.
Chair William Terry opened discussion at the board’s March 20, 2025 regular meeting by summarizing four bills under consideration at the state level. He said a bill that would bar Planning Boards from restricting minimum lot size applies only to towns that have both public water and sewer; because Jackson lacks a municipal sewer system except in a small area, he said the measure would not be broadly applicable to Jackson.
Another bill under review would allow detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and set a maximum ADU size. Board members said the bill’s size limit appears smaller than Jackson currently allows, so it would not reduce local ADU allowances.
The board focused more discussion on a proposal that would permit private building inspectors. "I read the bill as allowing private inspectors without clear responsibility to the town," Chair Terry said. Member Dick Bennett asked whether a private inspector would have no responsibility to the town; Member David L. Campbell asked whether the draft requires licensing. Chair Terry said the draft language does not specify credentials.
Member Scott Badger also raised questions about a House bill that addresses mobile homes. He asked whether it would permit multiple mobile units on a single property (cluster housing). The board noted that the bill allows a mobile home to retain a chassis but requires permanent water, electricity and sewage — provisions they said differ from Jackson’s current zoning.
Why it matters: Members said the bills could affect how the town regulates land use or inspects construction, but several provisions appear not to apply to most of Jackson. The board agreed to track the proposals and to pursue local ordinance work the board can control.
Next steps: The board agreed to make a 2025 project of updating the town’s zoning map to clarify district boundaries, and to ask Building Inspector Kevin Bennett to review local building-code language in light of a separate bill that would limit the town’s ability to adopt codes more restrictive than the state. Selectmen’s Representative Bob Thompson said he would discuss the code review request with Kevin Bennett; the board expects to review any proposed changes in time for a future town meeting.
The meeting also reappointed officers and completed routine business; those procedural votes were approved unanimously.
