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Greenberg hearing on ADU law draws residents urging fewer restrictions, board adjourns to Oct. 8
Summary
Hundreds of residents, planning officials and town board members debated proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules at a continued public hearing Sept. 10. Speakers pressed the board to drop or lower lot-size minimums during the one‑year sunset trial; the board voted to adjourn the hearing to Oct. 8 and hold a work session.
The Greenberg Town Board heard more than an hour of public comment on Sept. 10 over a proposed local law to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in single‑family residence districts. Gary Duquesne, the town’s commissioner of Community Development and Conservation, told the board the current draft includes two substantive changes since the last hearing: a clarified sunset clause to guide applications filed during the one‑year window and removal of a proposed change to the town’s definition of “family.”
Residents who spoke in person and online urged major changes. Wendell Orr, a Parkway Homes resident, asked for clearer application guidance so homeowners know whether to consult the zoning or building departments before filing. Walter Simon said the 10,000‑square‑foot minimum in the draft appeared to conflict with recommendations from the planning board and the Alternative Viable Living (AVL) committee and urged analysis showing how different minimums would affect property owners. Lane Cobb, co‑chair of the Greenberg Human Rights Advisory Committee, called for removing restrictions during the initial year so demand and impacts can be measured.
Several speakers cited the law’s legislative intent — to help homeowners who are "house poor" — and argued lot‑size limits would exclude residents most likely to benefit. Commissioner Duquesne provided a lot‑size breakdown showing 38% of one‑family residential lots fall between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet, with 15% between 5,000–7,500 and 23% between 7,500–10,000.
Board members debated whether closing the public hearing would bar substantial changes, including to minimum lot sizes. Proponents of leaving the record open said more public input and a work session would produce a better, more inclusive proposal; others said the board had already held multiple hearings and a work session and needed to move forward. After extended discussion, a motion to adjourn the ADU public hearing until Oct. 8 and schedule a work session in the interim was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The adjournment leaves open the possibility the board will refine lot‑size thresholds, process details and other criteria during the October work session before any formal vote on the local law.
