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Students to study Deerfield bylaws and Planning Board eyes Housing Community of Choice designation
Summary
Committee members heard that Conway Landscape School of Design students will study Deerfield zoning bylaws to suggest changes for housing, and that the Planning Board is exploring designation as a Housing Community of Choice; volunteers from the committee signed up to participate.
At the Jan. 7 session of Deerfield’s Ad Hoc Senior Housing Committee, participants heard a proposal for a student-led design study and discussed the Planning Board’s interest in seeking Housing Community of Choice status—which could make the town eligible for housing grants if zoning bylaws are relaxed.
Alex Galloway told the committee that students from the Conway Landscape School of Design offered to undertake a project examining Deerfield’s bylaws—setbacks, dimensional requirements and what could be allowed by right versus by special permit—to recommend bylaw changes that might support more housing. The proposed student work would conclude with a public meeting, the minutes state.
Committee notes indicate the Planning Board is interested in Deerfield becoming a Housing Community of Choice, a designation that would open eligibility for certain grants if town bylaws are relaxed. Alex asked for volunteers from the committee to work with the students and Planning Board; Lili Dwight, Kathy Sylvester and Pam Predmore expressed interest.
The minutes record no final action on bylaw changes or the Housing Community of Choice designation; next steps listed include coordination among Alex, the committee volunteers and Planning Board representatives, and a public meeting to present student findings.
The committee adjourned at 5:21 p.m. and scheduled its next meeting for Jan. 14, 2026.
