Deerfield Planning Board Sends ADU Bylaw Draft to Town Counsel Ahead of August Hearing

Planning Board · Meeting of June 15, 2026

Deerfield's Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals advanced a revised accessory dwelling unit bylaw draft toward a public hearing planned for early August. Meeting jointly on June 15, the boards reviewed a revised Chapter 179 draft prepared by outgoing Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Alexandria Galloway, who adopted state model ADU bylaw language nearly verbatim with targeted local adjustments. Key decisions included setting the local special permit threshold at 1,200 square feet — 300 square feet above the state's default as-of-right limit of 900 square feet — capping each lot at one ADU, and reducing the required additional parking from three spaces to one.

The boards agreed to send the draft to Town Counsel before the July 13 Planning Board meeting, with a public hearing targeted for early August ahead of a potential October Town Meeting. Proposed reductions to minimum lot size and frontage requirements were set aside pending consultation with the town's assessors over tax implications. Land Use Coordinator Amy Hahn separately reported that Town Administrator Chris Dunne has postponed applying for a OneStop grant to fund a new Master Plan, citing Galloway's departure, with the application deferred until a replacement planner is hired.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,522 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of June 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.