Residents voted down the ticket in support of 11 zoning amendments proposed by the Planning Board and one petition article.
Voters passed an amendment that updates the accessory dwelling unit section of the ordinance to allow accessory apartments by right. Previously, they were allowed by special exception.
Selectwoman Barbara Miller said she was pleased by the support, as she saw accessory apartments as a way of both increasing affordable housing in town, and allowing residents an extra revenue stream.
The town also resoundingly passed an amendment that adjusts the standards of bed and breakfasts in town. The amendment allows B&Bs in the family, general residence and rural districts by conditional use permit.
The amendment establishes a maximum of 12 guest bedrooms and gives the Planning Board the authority to further limit the amount of rooms based on the surrounding neighborhoods.
B&Bs were already allowed in the rural district, and the conditional use criteria would remain the same for the additional districts.
Many of the items on this year’s zoning ballot were “housekeeping” items. Voters approved the following:
Add paragraph to the ordinance regarding severability: If any provision of the ordinance is declared invalid by a court, the validity of the whole ordinance is not affected.
Add various definitions.
To make it clear that condominium proposes must comply with the zoning ordinance and are supject to subdivision and site plan regulations and approvals.
To make it clear that the existing minimum lot size for tow-family homes applies when a single-family home is being converted to a two-family home.
To add examples to the existing definition of impervious surface.
To allow restoration of disturbed areas within the wetlands protection overlay district.
To correct a citation to state statute in wireless communications regulations.
To allow LEDs as a permitted exterior lighting.