Housing Partnership reviews draft ADU bylaw rewrite for Town Meeting

WAYLAND — December 11, 2024 — Wayland Housing Partnership reviews draft ADU bylaw rewrite ahead of Feb. 2 state deadline. Town Planner Robert Hummel walked members through proposed changes that would allow accessory dwelling units by right up to 900 square feet, drop the current owner-occupancy mandate, cap parking at one space, and bar rentals shorter than 30 days. A Planning Board special permit would be required for a second ADU on a lot or for units larger than 900 square feet, and members debated whether that permit could be conditioned on a long-term affordability deed restriction — a question Hummel said he had referred to KP Law. Planning Board member Annette Lewis warned ADUs "will count in our baseline" for the state's 10 percent affordable threshold. Chair Mary Antes set the next meeting for Jan. 8; a hybrid zoning public hearing is targeted for Jan. 7 before the Jan. 15 Town Meeting article deadline.