Want To Learn More About ADUs? Public Info Event On Accessory Dwelling Units Wed. May 28

By Leave a Comment

Photo: ADU public event on Wednesday, May 28 (credit: Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

Want to learn about Accessory Dwelling Units – those self-contained housing units located on the same lot as a primary dwelling – and could you benefit from an ADU? The Belmont Age Friendly Action Plan Committee and the Belmont Housing Trust are sponsoring a public event on Wednesday, May 28, at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., where experts will be answering residents questions about:

  • What are the zoning requirements?
  • What is involved in planning/building an ADU?
  • How do I find an architect and contractor?
  • What might costs be and are there financial resources available?

Select Board Moves Special Town Meeting From Feb. 10 To March 3

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The Special Town Meeting has been moved to March 3

The Belmont Select Board has rescheduled the Feb. 10 virtual Special Town Meeting on the acceptance of Massachusetts’ new Accessory Dwelling Units law to Monday, March 3.

Town Administrator Patrice Garvin told the Belmontonian that the proposed move, announced at the Joint Budget Summit 3 on Thursday, Jan. 23, is necessitated by “significant new changes” soon to be coming from Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s office.

“In between the time that the Select Board set that meeting date and now, the state announced that it would be releasing some guidelines or regulations related to ADUs,” said Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne to the joint meeting. “It makes absolutely no sense for us to try and meet a week after they release those regulations before the Planning Board had time to consider them.”

“We are postponing the meeting so we will have full information to present to Town Meeting which it can then make decisions and vote on,” said Dionne.

In August, Healey signed into law the Affordable Homes Act, which makes accessory dwelling units—also known as in-law apartments—a By-Right use in single-family zoning districts. This allows property owners to build an ADU without having to obtain special or discretionary approval from the local zoning board.

The Special Town Meeting is to discuss and vote on amending Belmont’s Zoning By-Law to allow small residential living space to be located on the same lot as another home. Healey contends ADUs can play a significant role in easing the existing housing crisis.