The Francestown Planning Board unanimously approved several proposed changes to the town’s zoning ordinance at a public hearing Monday afternoon. The amendments will appear on the town ballot March 10.

The hearing was the third of three hearings about the proposed changes. Planning Board Chair Gerri Bernstein said the first two public hearings “had not engendered much discussion.”

“New Hampshire legislative changes prompted most of these amendments,” she said.

Most changes centered on requirements around Accessory Dwelling Units in Francestown.

The first amendment proposes that Accessory Dwelling Units, including apartments, be permitted on all lots in Francestown, including back lots, to comply with NH RSA 674:71-73. Currently, Francestown’s zoning specifies that back lots can be used only for single- family dwellings. The amendment states that “the Board does not feel we should excessively limit multi-family housing.”

“This amendment removes the restriction that back lots can only be used for single family homes,” Bernstein said.

Another amendment around ADUs proposes that the 400-foot road setback requirement for back lots should be reduced to 250 feet. According to the amendment, “the Board feels that the 400-feet requirement can place undue hardship on residents, may not add to the character of town, and can negatively impact wildlife habitat.”

Board member Sarah Pyle said that “building on today’s back lots would be so irresponsible to open space.”

“This is correcting the pushing of development into the back lots,” said board member Betsy Hardwick.

An amendment to ordinance 3.11.1 would remove the existing requirement that changes to existing septic design must be approved by the town building inspector. The 2025 amendments to NH RSA 674:71-73 prohibit towns from enacting requirements more stringent than the state.

“This amendment will prevent all septic changes from having to go through the board,” Bernstein said. “Only new septic systems will require a variance.”

Another proposed ordinance change would remove the restriction on clear-cutting while adding a more descriptive restriction of requiring a 25-foot vegetative buffer around significant wetlands and vernal pools.

“The board believes this is a reasonable change, and we felt it to be beneficial to both residents and the environment,” Bernstein said.

In order to comply with a new state law which permits a detached ADU be allowed in any existing accessory building, such as a barn or garage, the board has also proposed an amendment on detached ADUs which removes language that suggests an ADU structure must be conforming to existing zoning ordinances.

“New construction, however, does need to comply with current zoning,” Bernstein said

Francestown’s town election is Tuesday, March 10.