In Plymouth, accessory dwelling units, or ADU’s seem to be an idea whose time has arrived—and they may arrive in greater numbers if Article 14 is approved by Town Meeting. ADU’s are living spaces—often called basement or garage apartments, or granny flats—that can add a one-bedroom unit, or even a detached one-bedroom dwelling on a single house lot. Planning Board Article 14 is a proposed bylaw change that will allow that.
WATD’s Bobbi Clark has more..
Planning Board Member David Peck explains the proposed bylaw change:
“One of the options is a small house in the backyard on the property. To, clarify, the property needs to remain an owner-occupied property. That means, however, that the property owner can live in the main house—or in the new ADU, one or the other, but needs to be present on-site.”
And Peck, says the proposal agrees with evolving state guidelines:
“This proposed amendment, which is consistent with what Governor Healey has announced, would become an as of right option which would simplify the application for approval for an ADU.”
An as of right option within the bylaw, Peck says, means…“…it’s completely allowed without going to Zoning Board of Appeals or Planning board. However, the requirements in our draft language, is it needs to meet all health requirements, so the septic system has to be able to cover the number of bedrooms and it has to pass safety, in terms of egress and getting in and out, and parking.”
Do ADU’s count as affordable housing?
“Unfortunately, not, the state has sometimes quirky definitions of what is affordable housing. Under those definitions, ADU’s do not count against the affordable housing count within Plymouth.”
Article 14 goes to Town Meeting on April 6th with the unanimous approval of the Select Board and the Advisory and Finance Committee.
In Plymouth, Bobbi Clark, WATD News.
