Affordable Housing Could Get Boost

The construction of more affordable housing in Barrington could get a big boost tonight, Nov. 30, in Town Hall.

So could the addition of bicycle racks at parking lots in town. New drive-through facilities could face a ban, though.

These are several of the possible outcomes of amendments to Barrington’s zoning and subdivision regulations that are on the table. The Town Council and Planning Board will bat them around at a joint work session at 7 pm.

The Planning Board is recommending the amendments. Each would bring the town’s ordinances more in line with the Comprehensive Plan, said Town Planner Phil Hervey.

Five affordable housing amendments are on the agenda. The amendments would allow accessory apartments, housing on substandard lots, senior residential communities, mixed housing types, and mixed-use commercial properties.

“They are all attempts to meet the goal (for affordable housing) set by the state,” said Hervey.

“No more drive-throughs” would be the result of another amendment, he said. Shared off-street parking lots by businesses would also come into being.

“This is an attempt to encourage people to park their cars and walk around,” Hervey said.

The amendment on bike racks would link them to the number of spaces in a lot. For every number of spaces, there would have to be a certain number of racks.

Cellular communication towers would get guidelines for the first time in another amendment, Hervey said. And small-scale wind energy units in residential areas would be allowed.

“We’re not talking about wind turbines,” he said. “They could not exceed the height of a house or 35 feet.”

No decisions will be made tonight. A public hearing is necessary before any of the amendments becomes part of town ordinances.