The lack of affordable housing in Mattapoisett has long been an issue. Time and time again, various boards have acknowledged the need for housing, especially for young families and senior citizens. But little in the way of action has been forthcoming. That is about to change.
Recently, the current configuration of the Planning Board (Chairman Tom Tucker and Members Karen Field, William Wennerberg, John Mathieu, and Nathan Ketchel) has taken up the matter by not only having meaningful discussions, but in drafting bylaw(s) for the public to digest and comment on.
One such bylaw is known as the Cottage Bylaw.
Members Mathieu and Wennerberg have rallied around the concept of expanding the Route 6 corridor to allow for greater density and variety of structural styles. During the May 5 meeting, the board members discussed the pros of having this new category of housing and how it would benefit the community.
Planner Victora Alfaro stated that a seminar she had attended talked about high-density cottage style zoning options. Wennerberg and Mathieu agreed it was very close to what they envision as a viable housing option for the town. Alfaro was asked to prepare a draft of a cottage bylaw for the board’s review. Tucker remined the board that a public meeting was needed prior to advancing any new bylaws to a Town Meeting vote.
Alfaro presented the board with a copy of a state drafted bylaw titled Cottage Community Bylaw. The board members will now research the matter further and add their comments. Public comments are welcomed Tucker noted.
The cottage bylaw draft currently reads in part “…Cottage housing development represent an alternative form of detached housing becoming a crucial component of the town’s comprehensive housing strategy… (the bylaw would) …provide housing types that are responsive to changing household demographics, would reduce development footprints, and encourage the creation of more useable space…”
The draft goes on to note there would be open spaces, common open space, that would foster a sense of community.
Design standards were discussed with Mathieu staying…”I don’t want to see any board having too much control over what a developer designs, “ such as color or structural style. But he and Wennerberg concurred that “all the moving parts” seemed to be in place for creating a new bylaw.
There was some discussion regarding ADU (accessory dwelling units) and guest/family apartments. Suffice to say the board is exploring options. Family apartments and ADU homes are governed by either local bylaws or state bylaws. No changes to those were noted.
These matters will be discussed again on May 19 at the next board meeting.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell