[Massplanners] Program on ADUs and the Affordable Homes Act

Thu Aug 8 10:47:02 EDT 2024

The bill’s language describing ADUs says they must be “on the same lot” as a
principal dwelling. It could have easily been phrased as “attached to,”
“adjoining,” or “a part of” the principal dwelling. To me this leaves open
the door for detached, free-standing ADUs.

However, the bill also provides for town by town flexibility on dimensional
requirements. For example, the Town of Shutesbury already provides for
detached ADUs by site plan review, but stipulates they must be no more than
75 feet from the principal dwelling (to keep them in the same “yard”). I’m
thinking this restriction will stand. However, the requirement for
owner-occupancy in one of the units will now go away.

Jeff Lacy

Rural Planning Associates

896 Graves Road

Conway, MA 01341

ruralplanningassociates at crocker.com

(413) 230-9693

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Richard
Jordan via MassPlanners
Sent: Thursday, August 8, 2024 8:55 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Program on ADUs and the Affordable Homes Act

EOHLC issued a press release which says, "Often referred to as in-law
apartments, accessory dwelling units can be attached or detached from a
single-family home and often take shape as a basement or attic conversion, a
cottage in a backyard or a bump-out addition to a home."  This seems to
clarify that the new law addresses both attached and detached ADUs.  

(See
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-maura-healey-signs-most-ambitious-legisla
tion-to-address-housing-costs-in-state-history )

Richard Jordan (Rick)

Avon Town Planner

 <mailto:Email :> Email :  <mailto:RJordan at avon-ma.gov> RJordan at avon-ma.gov

65 E. Main Street-Avon, MA 02322

P: 774-480-1682 at Town Hall

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From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org
<mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> > on behalf of Harry LaCortiglia
via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org
<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org> >
Sent: Thursday, August 8, 2024 8:08 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
<massplanners at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org> >
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Program on ADUs and the Affordable Homes Act 

That's tough to discern from the statutory language, Bill.

Fortunately,"The executive office of housing and livable communities may
issue guidelines or promulgate regulations..."

Hopefully that will occur in a timely fashion, before the first Building
Permit Appeal.

Hopefully...

Best,
H. LaCortiglia
Georgetown P.B. 

On 8/7/2024 10:51 AM, clerk via MassPlanners wrote:

In reading the new law, it is hard to tell if they are allowing by right
that the accessory dwelling units to be only attached to the house or are
they allowing detached dwelling units as well?  

Bill Oelfke

Shirley Town Clerk

7 Keady Way

Shirley, MA  01464

978-425-2600 X1

clerk at shirley-ma.gov <mailto:clerk at shirley-ma.gov> 

From: MassPlanners  <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>
<massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Judi Barrett via
MassPlanners
Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 9:39 AM
To: MassPLanners CPTC  <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
<massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] Program on ADUs and the Affordable Homes Act

Hi Everyone

APA-MA Housing & Community Development is sponsoring an online Lunchtime
Conversations session on "Accessory Dwelling Units under the Affordable
Homes Act," Tuesday, Aug. 27, noon-1:15. More information will be posted
later this week, but meanwhile if you'd like to participate, please
register:

https://barrettplanningllc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kd-mrrDojGtHnF1CcZuB_
gD04wXRRmGNC
<https://url.emailprotection.link/?bROG9G3NsjBwJfNcCmeuOmd1LF3Oeegg19KdhfOXi
EH3IBpiOUTTSvCtY0sm5PMXQ7UebSE0SFTzVh-R3u2PSWIyZUB4NisM_iwTqgNOn8q6yZqdUoK03
NywYhId0EUs76XZ6wvMblGTYd8ciqk_fzJIn3x_CQFxDIMmqv342jUE~> 

Everyone take a deep breath! The AHA has lots of great opportunities for
housing, and ADU reform is one that directly affects all of our cities and
towns. 

If you run into problems with the registration link, let me know! Have a
great day, all!

Judi Barrett

(she, her, hers)

Barrett Planning Group LLC

350 Lincoln Street, Ste 2503

Hingham, MA 02043

(p) 781-934-0073

(c) 781-206-6045

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