The New Ipswich Planning Board will hold two public hearings to receive feedback on proposed zoning code changes.
The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at the town office and will cover proposed regulations for mobile food units and food courts, as well as accessory dwelling units or ADUs.
A second hearing, focused on amendments to the cluster housing development ordinance, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., also at the town office.
All proposed changes will go before voters for approval during ballot voting in March. None will take effect unless approved by a majority of voters.
Accessory Dwelling Units
The proposed changes would loosen restrictions on detached ADUs. The new language would allow one attached or detached ADU by right, up to 950 square feet, provided the property has adequate water supply, sewage disposal and utilities.
An ADU could be up to 1,200 square feet if the size is appropriate for the district, site and neighborhood, and the design is consistent with the architectural style of the primary home and neighborhood.
A second ADU may be permitted on lots larger than two acres under current code. The proposed language would add a restriction allowing only one detached ADU, with the second required to be within or attached to the primary residence. Homeowners would also need to demonstrate that the property and soil can support the additional capacity.
The proposed updates would also reduce parking requirements from two off-street spaces per unit to one, and would allow ADUs to be built at the same time as the principal dwelling.
Current code requires detached units to have “the appearance of a barn or garage.” The new proposal would allow ADUs in any pre-existing detached structure built before 2025.
Mobile food vendors
The hearing will also address proposed language for new ordinances regulating mobile food vendors and food courts.
A mobile food vendor will be defined as being in a “cart, trailer, canteen, food truck, mobile kitchen, etc.” It may be the primary land use, or as an accessory use to an existing business building.
The proposed regulations would require setbacks and screening as reasonably needed to prevent the units from being “incongruous with the existing or contemplated environment.”
At least two parking spaces would be required for each mobile food unit.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.