A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the implications of state legislation on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Amherst currently has a draft bylaw for ADUs that was paused due to recent changes in state regulations. The existing bylaw allows for three types of ADUs—contained within a primary unit, attached, and detached—permitting units up to 1,000 square feet, which exceeds the state’s limit of 900 square feet. The council debated whether to maintain the owner occupancy requirement, with some members concerned that state guidelines might view it as an unreasonable restriction. There was also concern about prohibiting student homes in duplex scenarios, which the state guidelines currently disallow. The planning board is set to discuss applicable standards for both standard and protected use ADUs soon.

The conversation also delved into the potential for incentivizing property owners to choose the existing bylaw over the protected use option. The council expressed a need to draft regulations that align with state guidelines.

Another major focus of the meeting was the review of local solar installation regulations. The council examined the necessity of a glare analysis for solar panel installations. The members emphasized the need for a thorough analysis to guide future mitigation strategies and discussed the potential noise impact of inverters used in solar facilities. The council recognized the importance of having an acoustical engineer document expected noise levels, especially to address concerns raised by previous projects in neighboring towns.

The council also discussed soil management plans for solar installations on farmland, proposing measures to ensure the land could return to agricultural use after the panels’ removal. This included a focus on minimizing soil disturbance and managing topsoil during construction, emphasizing clarity and organization in documenting the requirements.

In addition to regulatory discussions, the council explored public outreach strategies. They emphasized the need for clear guidelines and communication with developers and residents. A proposal was made to maintain a public outreach plan to inform abutters and the town. The council also debated the requirement for preconstruction photos and visualizations, ultimately agreeing that existing requirements should adequately capture current conditions without redundancy.

The council also considered the ongoing development of a survey to gather public input. They agreed on the importance of launching the survey to span multiple events, providing residents with flexibility in responding.

They emphasized the need for strategic planning in public outreach and survey timelines to enhance community involvement in local governance.