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Matthew,
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<div>It was included in the Affordable Homes Act. See Section 10 of Ch. 150 of the Acts of 2024.</div>
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<div>In essence, if both lots contain at least 10,000 square feet in area and 75 feet of frontage and conformed to existing dimensional requirements when created, then a building permit can be issued by right for a single family home containing not more than
1,850 square feet of heated living space and at least 3 bedrooms.</div>
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<div>Barry R. Crimmins, Esquire</div>
<div>Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, P.C.</div>
<div>909 Washington Street</div>
<div>Stoughton, MA. 02072</div>
<div>Tel: (781)344-2886</div>
<div>Fax: (781)341-4218</div>
<div>Email: Barry@brc-law.com</div>
<div>www.brc-law.com</div>
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<div>Cape Cod Offices:</div>
<div>20 Academy Lane</div>
<div>Falmouth, MA 02540</div>
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<div>1436 Iyannough Road</div>
<div>Hyannis, MA 02601</div>
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<div>Please visit our new website at www.brc-law.com for news and information about our firm.</div>
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Sent from my iPhone</div>
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<blockquote type="cite">On Feb 13, 2025, at 10:58 AM, Matthew Benoit via MassPlanners <massplanners@masscptc.org> wrote:<br>
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Hang on Planners, there's a lot here.</div>
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Pre-existing non-conforming lots from the 50's and 60's that became non-conforming due to zoning frontage and lot size changes in the 70's and 80's. Back then, there was a grace period (term unknown, 1 year I think) where non-conforming lots became merged
once the grace period expired. Did the state just pass a law in the Housing Bond Bill Legislation that authorizes owners to unmerge them and they'd still buildable today, despite existing zoning? </div>
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Mike Duffany, President of Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts in a Fall 2024 publication of Bay State Builder from Fall 2024, states: "(Housing Bond Bill) Legislation includes the ability to un-"merge" lots in residential districts that
had been previously consolidated as a result of local zoning changes that increased the size of buildable lots."</div>
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Can anyone else confirm this? </div>
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He also stated "the new ADU bylaw allows accessory dwelling units (ADU's) "by right" on lots of 10,000 square feet or more. I don't think this carried forward into the new regs...</div>
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Matthew C. Benoit, Notary Public</div>
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Director of Community Development</div>
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Town of Douglas</div>
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29 Depot Street</div>
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Douglas MA 01516</div>
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508-476-4000 x 206</div>
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mbenoit@douglas-ma.gov</div>
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<b>Town Hall Hours: </b></div>
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Monday-Wednesday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pm</div>
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Tuesday: 8:30am-6:00pm</div>
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Friday: 8:30am-12:00pm</div>
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