Dalton to Hold Special Town Meeting Monday
DALTON, Mass. — Voters will reconvene Monday for a special town meeting to decide on six articles, including an item to permit mobile accessory dwelling units.
The meeting will take place on Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m., at Wahconah Regional High School.
The first article requests voters authorize amending the vote taken on Article 3 at the May 4 annual town meeting allowing the town to increase or decrease funding for one or more departments for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Article 2 requests voters establish a line item for the Clean Air Committee. Subsequently, Article 3, transfers the available funds, that were appropriated at previous town meetings, into the new account.
Article 4 requests voters transfer a sum of money, not yet provided, from the Capital Stabilization Fund to cover costs to the Department of Public Work's roof repair project that exceed borrowing.
The most anticipated articles are on amending the town's current bylaws to allow mobile tiny homes, Articles 5 and 6.
For more than two years, Amy Turnbull has been advocating to amend the bylaw but has met obstacles delaying the effort.
So, she took the situation into her own hands by spearheading a citizens’ petition to put it on a town meeting warrant after the discussion was tabled during multiple Planning Board meetings.
The topic was initially presented at the annual town meeting but it was "tabled" so a public hearing could be held.
Like many meetings before, this hearing resulted in little movement as the Planning Board decided to neither support or oppose the proposed bylaw.
Article 5 amends the town's bylaws to include the definition of a movable tiny home as "a transportable structure built on a chassis designed for year-round living."
The article currently outlines that to qualify for a special permit, the unit has to meet the following conditions:
- requires site plan review,
- is licensed and registered with the local Registry of Motor Vehicles,
- meets the American National Standards Institute A119.5 or National Fire Protection Association 1192 safety requirements,
- is certified by a manufacturer or third-party inspector for ANSI or NFPA compliance and
- the International Residential Code Appendix Q;
- cannot move under its own power,
- the undercarriage (wheels, axles, tongue and hitch) shall be hidden from view,
- is secured by ground anchors that meet weight and height requirements
- must sit on a level gravel or paved surface.
The bylaw amendment goes on to say the structure must be served by an approved energy and water source and wastewater system and have no less than 150 square feet of habitable living space and no more than 400 square feet.
This maximum size restriction is excluding lofts, projections from bay windows, open desks, porches or exterior utility and storage compartments.
The bylaw requires that the unit be designed and built using conventional residential building materials to any single- or two-family dwelling.
Article 6, would amend the town's Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaws to add "a movable tiny house" to the definitions following "a unit that is part of an accessory structure," and before "or a unit that is part of an expanded or remodeled primary dwelling."
During the meeting, Turnbull intends on making a motion to dismiss Article 6 and amend Article 5 to substitute the following definition to section 350-5
"An accessory structure on the same lot as a primary single-unit or two-unit dwelling, with provisions for independent cooking, living, sanitation, and sleeping. A movable tiny house (MTH) that is connected to electricity, water, and sewer or septic and has its chassis, wheels, and hitch concealed shall be considered an accessory use for the separate, independent living quarters of one household for year-round residence …"
The language dictates that the unit be
- is licensed and registered with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles for transport,
- is certified to the National Organization of Alternative Housing Plus Standard,
- cannot move under its own power,
- have not less than 150 and no more than 400 square feet of habitable living space, excluding lofts,
- is designed and built using conventional residential building materials for windows, roofing and exterior siding.
- Shall only be allowed by special permit
Additionally, the motion proposes to add to section 350-22 a table of use regulations.
Tags: ADU, special town meeting,
