Peterborough voters will decide on several proposed zoning amendments at the ballot on May 15, including rezoning the existing Family District to General Residence.

Currently, more than half the lots in the Family District are nonconforming, so rezoning would reflect the housing that exists. Changing to General Residence would also allow multifamily housing by right, which the Family District does not. 

Another amendment proposes rescinding an elderly housing ordinance which, due to a loophole in a state law, allows developers to build 10 units per acre anywhere in Peterborough, which does not align with the town’s master plan. An amendment to update Peterborough’s ADU ordinance would remove parking minimums – currently, two are required -- and the requirement that the property owner live full-time in the ADU or the single-family home.

Towns update ADU ordinances

Accessory dwelling units are housing units, typically apartment-style, that are built on a lot that already contains a home. They can be an extension of the existing home, or a detached unit, such as those built over garages.

Francestown approved an amendment to the town zoning ordinance clarifying that one accessory dwelling unit of 1,000 square feet can be either attached or detached. Greenfield also updated ADU guidelines, allowing more flexibility for attached or detached units. 

Hancock approved an amendment to clarify requirements for attached and detached accessory dwelling units to bring this section of the ordnance into compliance with current state law, and Dublin adopted a zoning ordinance to allow one ADU per single-family dwelling no larger than 1,200 square feet. The Dublin ordinance specifies that the principal dwelling or ADU must be owner-occupied, with adequate provisions for water supply, sewage and electrical panel access.

In New Ipswich, the town adopted a new amendment in March that increases the amount of accessory dwelling units on larger lots. New Ipswich allows attached or detached ADUs, as long as detached units are within a structure that has the appearance of a barn or garage. The amendment -- which passed in a 920-263 vote -- sought to expand housing opportunities in town by allowing a second ADU by special exception on lots larger than two acres, as long as at least  one is attached, and a one of the units on the property must be occupied by a property owner or trustee.

In March, Rindge voters approved multiple zoning amendments clarifying where and how accessory dwelling units are allowed. The first amendment was to clarify that accessory dwelling units added to homes in a planned unit residential development (PURD) -- a type of cluster development – that are added after the development is built are exempt from PURD density limits. The amendment was proposed to resolve a conflict between the town's existing accessory dwelling unit ordinance, which allows them in residential districts, and the PURD's ordinance, which allows only a certain number of units per lot, based on the lot's size.

In a separate amendment, the town accepted a clarification that allows ADUs to be built on single-family residential properties, whether or not they're in a residential district. The previous ordinance allowed ADUs in residential districts, but there are many single-family homes in Rindge that were built pre-zoning in districts that are now zoned commercial or industrial. The change allows ADUs to be built associated with those properties. 

Dublin voters approved a zoning ordinance amendment that allows one ADU per single-family home with a maximum size of 1,200 square feet. The principal dwelling or ADU must be occupied by the property owner, and it must be connected to water, sewer and electric. 

Lyndeborough also approved a zoning amendment to allow detached ADUs by right in all zoning districts that permit single-family homes, without any restrictions on lot size, frontage, space limitations or other controls beyond what’s required for a single-family dwelling without an ADU. There is only one allowed per lot.

Wilton voters approved amendments to the zoning ordinance that adjust ADU requirements. ADUs located in residential districts do not have to comply with Section 17 of the zoning ordinance, which details non-conforming uses and buildings, as long as they have separate entrances and exits and share a common interior wall. One of the dwelling units must be occupied by the property owner; one of the units must have no more than two bedrooms and a living area of no more than 800 feet. Additionally, requirements for waster and sewage are the same for a two-family dwelling. 

Jaffrey adopts changes for workforce and senior housing

Jaffrey voters adopted several changes to the town's zoning ordinance this year, including two ordinances that address multi-family, workforce and senior housing.

Workforce housing is housing that is considered affordable for the average wage of the people living in a particular area, in a formula set by the state. In one of the amendments adopted by voters in March, the town allowed multi-family units to be permitted in the General Business and General Business A districts, as well as the Residential B districts. Already existing in the code were provisions that there is a maximum of six units per acre allowed, and an additional two units per acre if the housing is designated as either workforce or senior housing.

The amendment added language that the Planning Board may waive the maximum number of units per building (capped at eight) if it allows economically viable workforce or senior housing and the developer submits a financial statement indicating the need.

This amendment may soon be relevant for Jaffrey, as a planned development to replace the defunct St. Patrick's School Building could include apartments with as many as 24 units each, according to a conceptual discussion presented to the Planning Board in 2023. At least some of the units are planned to be workforce units.

Wilton changes lot-size requirements

Wilton voters approved several changes to the town’s Residential District zoning requirements to help increase population density. In particular, the minimum lot size in the newly-created Downtown Residential Overlay District – which encompasses lots located in the Residential District north of Route 101 and east of Holt Road -- has been decreased from a half-acre to one-third of an acre. 

Additionally, existing dwellings within the new overlay district may be converted to duplex or multi-family dwellings.

Ashley Saari and Cameron Cashman contributed to this story.