Minutes , 2010
Regular Meeting
Planning Board Agenda for Monday, 2010
6:00 PM Discussion of Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By-Law forAccessory Buildings with the Zoning Board of Appeals
Old/New Business
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Present: Planning Board Members Paul Healey, Sarah Corey, and Judy Sneath.Also present was Planner Katharine Lacy.
This was a joint meeting with the Zoning Board of Appeals about a proposed amendment to the Zoning By-law intended to clarify that accessory buildings cannot be used as additional dwelling units.
Mr. McGrath explained that Section III-A 1.8.7 provides for the use of accessory buildings for basically every purpose allowed in a primary residence, as long as “in combination such uses do not create a detached dwelling unit with complete living facilities for one or more households.” In order to further discourage the use of accessory buildings as apartments, no bathing facilities are permitted with the exception of pool houses. Despite these provisions, the Building Inspector is finding that in some instances pool houses are being used for accessory dwellings. The purpose of this By-Law change, therefore, would be to clarify and tighten up the By-law to ensure that this is not permitted.
Planning Board and Zoning Board members, along with members of the public in attendance, discussed the pros and cons of allowing accessory apartments, and agreed that due to the scope of this issue they would focus this year on clarifying any confusion about the permitted use of a pool house.
Board members reviewed the By-Law and determined that changes to Section III-J, which specifically addresses accessory uses, would result in the desired clarification.
The Board voted to approve the minutes of November 1, 2010.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Katharine T. Lacy, Town Planner