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Board signals possible review of Cottage Court overlay after early applications
Summary
After debate over PB-26-16, several board members suggested revisiting the recently adopted Cottage Court overlay to refine standards for small conversions and screening; staff agreed periodic review is prudent.
During and after deliberation on PB-26-16, several Planning Board members raised broader policy questions about whether the newly adopted Cottage Court overlay is being applied in ways that match the ordinance's original intent.
Councilor Michael Hafer and others noted that converting small accessory spaces into rental units and the range of project scales (from single-unit conversions to larger infill projects) may produce outcomes the board did not anticipate. Hafer suggested a review after roughly 12 months of use to determine whether changes to screening, facade or owner-occupancy expectations are warranted. Staff said such periodic re-evaluation is appropriate for a new code section and that the board could request a formal review or code amendment process if patterns emerge.
