Wayland Planning Board approves November 12 minutes, eyes January ADU deadline

WAYLAND -- December 10, 2024, Wayland Planning Board works through ADU bylaw deadline crunch and pickup window draft. The board, chaired by Anette S. Lewis, voted unanimously at its December 10 meeting to approve the November 12 minutes after roughly 40 minutes of editing and to continue the Islamic Center of Boston Inc. site plan hearing at 129 Boston Post Road to December 17. The bulk of the meeting was consumed by a wide-ranging discussion of the town's draft accessory dwelling unit bylaw, which must reach the Select Board by January 15 to make Annual Town Meeting, requiring a public hearing around January 7 in coordination with Building Commissioner Brendan. Lewis flagged that state draft ADU regulations issued December 6 by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities introduce new terminology, including "protected ADU", that conflicts with Wayland's existing bylaw definitions, and that provisions inconsistent with the new law "may be unenforceable." On the separately drafted pickup window zoning article, Lewis said more work was needed on definitions and enforceability before a public hearing could be held, noting, "my concern is we are giving authority to somebody to build something."