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Selectboard flags confusing ADU exemption wording in draft zoning bylaw
Summary
A board member said the exemption for accessory dwelling units in section 2.2 (item 19) was difficult to parse; members agreed the clause likely conveys the intended meaning but recommended future editorial clarification before final adoption.
At the Oct. 15 meeting, a board member raised concerns about the wording of an exemption in section 2.2 (item 19) that addresses accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Daniel said the phrasing "just kept getting to me" and that he had to read the line several times before parsing its intent. Other members and planning commission participants agreed the provision appears intended to exempt the creation of an ADU within an existing structure when the building footprint and number of bedrooms do not change, so that wastewater systems would not require modification. Several participants suggested that the clause could remain in the draft for the Nov. 4 hearing and be tightened later if public comment shows it remains confusing.
Members agreed not to make substantive changes to the ADU exemption that night but to flag the wording for later editorial work if needed.
