A recent Londonderry Planning Board meeting featured a detailed discussion about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within the Woodmont Commons Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Kevin Smith, a land use consultant for Woodmont Commons, explained that most of the sub-areas within the PUD are entitled to include ADUs as part of their overall housing density calculations. Under the current definition, ADUs are limited to one-bedroom units or studios, with a maximum of 750 square feet per unit.
Smith, a former Londonderry Town Manager and is also currently listed as a Real Estate Advisor at Berkshire Hathaway, sought consensus from the Board on allowing flexibility to build either ADUs or additional studio/one-bedroom units – without exceeding the square footage permitted in each zone.
“For example,” Smith said, “one of the sub-areas allows for 330 primary residences and 20 ADUs. That equates to 15,000 square feet. The density isn’t increasing – it’s just allowing for either ADUs or more small units, up to 750 square feet each.”
He emphasized that the density would remain contained within each sub-area and would not be transferred between zones. While most sub-areas in the PUD allow for ADUs, some do not, and the number permitted varies. In one case, only a single ADU is allowed.
Smith clarified that ADUs in the PUD are treated as standalone buildings and must comply with all existing zoning regulations. Additionally, the property owner must occupy one of the two units for it to qualify as an ADU under the current definition.
“We’re not changing the definitions,” Smith said. “We’re just asking for some flexibility.”
He provided another example: if a sub-area allows for 330 residences and 20 ADUs, building 331 residences would reduce the number of ADUs allowed to 19. “It’s just allowing flexibility,” he reiterated, “to swap out the allowable square footage.”
Planning Board Alternate Tony DeFrancesco noted that the proposal could lead to more starter homes, which he said some in the community have expressed a need for.
“And this would be a way, perhaps, to do that,” he said.
Board Chair Jake Butler added that smaller homes could help improve affordability, while member Art Rugg said the proposal would enhance housing options.
“It gives us, I think, greater flexibility – housing choice,” Rugg said.
The Board agreed with the concept, pending appropriate site plans.