Four months and six public hearings later, the Planning and Zoning Commission has OKed more dense residential development in parts of the town’s B1 and B2 commercial zones.
The zoning amendment, which permits more residential units on the upper level of commercial buildings, passed with a unanimous 6-0 vote Tuesday night after lengthy discussion about its language.
The change allows eight units per acre, up from four now. Developments that include units considered “affordable” by state standards can qualify for a 20% density “bonus.”
The proposal was submitted as a two-part application on Oct. 22. It also sought a special permit for the construction of a mixed-use office building at 40 Grove Street.
The applicant, Reed Whipple, withdrew that part of the application during the extended public hearing Tuesday night.
“We will come back to you with that,” said Robert Jewell, the applicant’s attorney. “We don’t have enough time for the special permit so the focus is on this amendment.”
Mr. Whipple and Mr. Jewell seemed flexible about the language of the regulation after several commissioners requested a change about a clause that would grant developers 20% more residential units on their property if they build age-restricted or affordable units.
“This clause doesn’t do the town any good — it’s troubling,” said Commissioner John Katz. “You’re increasing density with no give-back to the town.
“It can’t be age-restricted and affordable.”
“It doesn’t really affect us; I will leave that at the discretion of the commission,” Mr. Jewell said.
After the public hearing closed on the amendment, the commission discussed the clause for about 30 minutes, ultimately deciding to strike the age restriction from the bonus clause and designating it as “deed restricted affordable.”