A proposed Cottage Community Development bylaw is not ready for the November 9 Town Meeting, Planning Board Chair Thomas Tucker said Monday night.
The board closed a brief public hearing after receiving comments about cottage and garage sizes and questions about affordability. Members will continue revising the proposal for possible consideration at the spring Town Meeting.
The proposed zoning amendment would allow clusters of smaller, porch-fronted homes along the Route 6 corridor. Each cottage could contain up to 1,500 square feet of living space, but its first-floor footprint could not exceed 1,000 square feet.
Resident and Select Board Member Nicole Doyon Lynch questioned whether the planning board planned to retain the 1,500-square-foot maximum.
John Mathieu explained that the provision would not allow a 1,500-square-foot ranch. A cottage could reach that maximum only by adding a partial second floor containing no more than half the area of the first floor.
“The whole purpose of this is not to put 1,500-square-foot ranches in,” one board member said. The intent is to permit cottages that may or may not include a second floor and that resemble the scale of older village homes.
The proposed 300-square-foot limit for individual garages drew much of the discussion. Board members said a garage measuring 15 by 20 feet would be too short for many vehicles and would leave little room for storage or for occupants to open car doors.
An attached garage might also need space for stairs or an accessibility ramp leading into the house. Members discussed increasing the limit to between 360 and 400 square feet.
Resident Lauren Rose suggested establishing separate size limits for attached and detached garages. Board members agreed that the distinction was worth considering as they revise the proposal.
Affordability was also raised. One participant cautioned against suggesting that the bylaw would guarantee affordable homes, noting that a 1,500-square-foot home could cost more than $700,000 based on local square-foot prices.
Mathieu stated 1,500 square feet would be an upper limit, not a required size, and that developers could build smaller cottages. The proposed bylaw addresses housing size, design and placement but does not establish an affordability requirement, according to Tucker.
The board took no vote on the bylaw Monday. The public hearing was closed, and members will continue revising the proposal before bringing it to Mattapoisett voters at spring Town Meeting.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Jeanne Hopkins