Peterborough residents will vote on six proposed zoning amendments May 14.

Article 1 proposes that properties in the Family District be rezoned to General Residence. A yes will approve changing all Family District Properties to General Residence properties. General Residence allows some businesses by special exception, including funeral homes,  day care centers and residential care homes. Low-income housing is also allowed by special exception in the General Residence zone. Both the Family District and the General Residence district allow ADUs, workforce housing and manufactured housing, and the General Residence district also allows multi-family housing and religious institutions. 

A yes vote on Amendment 2 closes a  loophole in the law that would allow developments of up to 10 units per acre to be built “anywhere in Peterborough,” according to the town Planning Office. In fall 2023,  Miami-based developer Star Mountain Properties approached the Planning Board with an initial concept for a 116-unit apartment complex off of Mercer Avenue. This development could have been permitted due to the loophole allowing workforce housing developments to receive the same density as elderly housing.  The Planning Office has stated they feel this level of density is “not appropriate for Peterborough.”  

A no vote would keep the existing elderly housing ordinance, potentially enabling developers to use the existing loophole in order to build dense developments anywhere in Peterborough. 

A yes vote on Amendment 3 would remove the current two-spot parking requirement for all accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Currently, all ADUs, regardless of location, are required to provide two off-street parking spaces, even if the ADU only sleeps one person. The change would give ADU owners the right to decide how many parking spots they need for their ADUs. The Planning Board has final say on all parking requirements for ADUs. 

The amendment also removes the owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs. This change would allow homeowners to rent out their ADU even if they have moved out of their home.  A no vote would keep ADU regulations the same. 

Amendment 4 would revise Peterborough’s existing Open Space Residential Development (OSRD) ordinance, which encourages cluster development, as opposed to traditional development with houses set in the middle of large lots. The goal of cluster development, with homes clustered together in one section of a property, is to preserves uninterrupted green space and wildlife habitats. The OSRD amendment would increase the density bonuses incentive for developer -- a zoning tool which permits developers to build more housing units in exchange for providing a specific public benefit. A yes vote on this amendment would support revising Peterborough’s existing OSRD ordinance, while a no vote would keep the ordinance as it is.

A yes vote on Amendment 5 would remove the current two-parking spot requirement for new housing units. Instead, new developments would request a certain amount of parking from the Planning Board based on their proposed use and location. The Planning Board would retain final authority to determine the amount of parking required. A no vote would keep the parking requirements the same.

A yes vote on Amendment 6  would support a state tax incentive program which encourages business owners to consider “the rehabilitation and active use of underutilized properties in Peterborough”  when opening a business. In Peterborough, this tax incentive enabled the renovation of the former GAR Hall by the owners of Post and Bean Brewery. A no vote would not support the program.