Central to the discussion was the need to permit ADUs by right, as mandated by recent changes under Section 3A. The board deliberated on the relationship between ADUs and short-term rentals, noting that the current local bylaw is overly restrictive compared to state laws, which allow rentals of up to a month. Concerns were voiced regarding commercial ownership of short-term rentals, emphasizing that ADUs should primarily increase housing availability rather than serve as short-term rentals. The board proposed forming a group with members from the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), and the select board to collaborate on crafting regulations that would prevent ADUs from being used as short-term rentals.

One board member highlighted the urgency of addressing the ADU issue to prevent potential legal non-compliance. It was suggested to integrate the ADU discussion with short-term rental prohibitions into a proposal. The need for public engagement and awareness of the zoning changes was underscored, with a call for effective communication strategies to inform residents.

Parallel to the ADU discussions, the board acknowledged the necessity of revisiting the floodplain bylaw in light of upcoming state-released maps and regulations. The changes would require timely adjustments to the current bylaw to ensure residents could maintain access to flood insurance. There was consideration of forming a subgroup to handle these updates, although it was noted that immediate applications were not anticipated.

The meeting also addressed environmental concerns associated with a property development project on Proctor Street. The board discussed the proposal’s cut and fill operations, specifically emphasizing the reuse of excavated materials on-site and the removal of unsuitable items like ledge and rocks. Concerns about the visual and ecological impacts were raised, particularly regarding the preservation of native oak trees and the visual impact of the garage structure. The project team assured the board of measures to protect tree root zones and the integration of the garage into the natural landscape.

Further, the board deliberated on special conditions for the project, including the use of slow-release fertilizers, the establishment of permanent conservation monuments, and the storage of hazardous materials above the FEMA flood zone. The communication of wetlands restrictions to new property owners was also discussed, with the requirement that each new owner receives a conservation acknowledgment letter.

The Seven Central property development project also featured prominently in the meeting. The proposal involves converting the historic restaurant site into three residential units alongside a café. Questions about parking adequacy were addressed, with assurances of designated spaces for each unit and additional “piggyback” spaces for café employees. Concerns about flooding were mitigated by elevating living spaces above the first floor.

The meeting concluded with discussions on potential zoning changes, including the establishment of a mixed-use overlay district in the downtown area. This measure aims to preserve commercial properties while enhancing storefronts and allowing residential development. The board considered utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) to create an overlay district map and emphasized the importance of aligning the bylaw with community needs.