[Massplanners] Accessory Dwelling Units and Tiny Moveable Houses

[janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net]

Amherst has made permitting for accessory dwelling units easier with permits being granted by the Building Commission or the ZBA depending on the size of the ADU and the primary dwelling.  Look at Section 5.001 at page 62 of our Zoning Bylaw: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59862/Complete-Zoning-Bylaw-January-2022 <https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59862/Complete-Zoning-Bylaw-January-2022>.

Amherst Town Meeting shot down a zoning amendment years ago that would have allowed tiny houses for a bunch of reasons.  Concerns were raised about having tiny houses in people’s driveways with no septic or water system, being rented to 4 college students and then one famous comment: “What kind of big person would live in one of those?”   These are all concerns of mine, especially since the majority of Amherst’s population are college students and keeping neighborhoods balanced and stable is an important issue here. I also tiny houses on trailers as the equivalent of allowing people to live in an RV on driveways.  I can see the value of allowing  clusters of small homes or cottage in and near village centers—with plumbing and electricity and water.

Amherst is also one of few communities in Massachusetts that has 10% or more affordable housing, so I suggest going that route too. 

> On May 26, 2022, at 1:24 PM, Dwight Merriam via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
> 
> Attached is what we did recently in a pro bono project for Pomfret, CT, population 4,200, no public water and sewer.
> 
> Note limited regulation of size and no full kitchens required for a conversion unit, thereby allowing single-room occupancy as-of-right.
> 
> Regards,
> Dwight
> 
> PS  The size limitations for detached units are out of concern over conversion of large barns.
> 
> 
> Dwight Merriam, FAICP
> www,dwightmerriam.com
> 
> On Thu, May 26, 2022 at 1:05 PM Eric Rumsey via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>> wrote:
> We would be interested in any replies also.
> 
>  
> 
> Eric Rumsey
> 
> Town Planner & Conservation Agent
> 
> Economic Development and Planning Department
> 
> Town of Southbridge
> 
> 41 Elm Street | Southbridge, MA 01550
> 
> p: 508.764.5402
> 
> e: erumsey at southbridgemass.org <mailto:erumsey at southbridgemass.org>
> w: ci.southbridge.ma.us <http://ci.southbridge.ma.us/>
>  
> 
> From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Leeann Bradley via MassPlanners
> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2022 12:01 PM
> To: massplanners at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
> Subject: [Massplanners] Accessory Dwelling Units and Tiny Moveable Houses
> 
>  
> 
> Good Morning/Afternoon;
> 
>  
> 
> Just wondering if any towns have adopted As-of-Right Accessory Dwelling Units (detached) along with the allowance of Tiny Moveable Houses.  I see that Great Barrington did so in 2020 (quite forward thinking!) and was wondering if anyone else has.  With the current lack of truly affordable housing, I think this would be something we can do as a relatively quick fix within our municipalities.  Thanks!
> 
>  
> 
> Leeann
> 
>  
> 
> Leeann Bradley
> 
> Town Planner
> 
> Town Hall Annex
> 
> 20 Center Street
> 
> Middleborough, MA 02346
> 
> 508-946-2425 ext. 1150
> 
>  
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> PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:  BradleyL at middleboroughma.gov <mailto:BradleyL at middleboroughma.gov>
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