By Susan MacEachron

The Planning & Zoning meeting on March 10 was dedicated to a discussion of potential changes to regulations governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and family compounds and camps. P&Z also considered a new regulation addressing blight. There were no decisions.

P&Z commissioner Jordan Stern has suggested revisions to Norfolk’s ADU regulations at prior P&Z meetings. He provided a proposal for commissioners to consider, one that he said was modeled on regulations from the Town of Kent. The Norfolk regulation requires an ADU to be the lesser of 40 percent of the principal structure or 1,200 square feet. Stern questioned why an existing structure, such as a barn with 1,400 square feet of interior space, would prompt an objection to using it as an ADU that would utilize the full 1,400 square feet. He cited the Kent regulations, which limit the size of an ADU based on the size of the principal dwelling, unless “otherwise approved by the commission due to a logical configuration of the interior space.”

Several commissioners expressed discomfort about making a determination as to whether a proposed ADU constituted a logical configuration of interior space and felt it would lead to subjective decisions and controversy. They agreed to continue debating the matter at a subsequent meeting.

Recognizing that Norfolk has family compounds and camps, the commissioners also grappled with how to allow for modifications to existing structures and what regulations to propose for the creation of new ones. Stern argued that P&Z should evaluate the intent of the applicant and noted that P&Z could exercise control by its authority to impose conditions when an applicant is seeking a special permit.

P&Z Chair Christopher Schaut disagreed with that approach and noted that the purpose of zoning is to provide safeguards and that the P&Z itself needs to be guided by concrete standards. They agreed to continue this discussion at a future meeting.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Stacey Sefcik said the draft blight regulation she presented was based upon examples she gathered from other towns. She said that numerous unregistered vehicles on any given property generate the most complaints. A blight ordinance would give her authority to tackle those issues. The meeting concluded at 10 p.m. with little consensus on any of these thorny questions