[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6396294,"mediaKeyId","2097358-414ba9ec319435476e305bf64d629033","parentId",2097358,"title","Malden council refers accessory-dwelling-unit zoning changes to joint planning and ordinance hearing after lengthy debate","audioSeconds",2630,"startMs",997000,"endMs",3627000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097358-414ba9ec319435476e305bf64d629033&start=997&end=3627","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097358-414ba9ec319435476e305bf64d629033/thumbnail_997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6396294/Malden-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Malden-council-refers-accessory-dwelling-unit-zoning-changes-to-joint-planning-and-ordinance-hearing-after-lengthy-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396294-3aa73ba2c3ad28600e3646a80c2f0582/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437908&Signature=L0knALM4Ng3eF-M6JJ9M7r1belUY-UEZBbdbz2NFXhQ~c8dVf9Uz2jDVHCUjWaUYMByJMfx-Wq8v~K6f1WUjNAW~W41bJE9Rd--4p-YJb7W-XxzcIOaCn5i-c~p-DFkmJkesU-Vigs9aMnnNr-C7FqUV3TgM4ZiLyvh1cFxHtGtgooBmb2j82-gpOZeg5LyduO08NJdCu4oyHqZMmf84OPEmdzWpEydpc-6epUtrGD9TwIO9-zdzeQAZyHiP44sAO8UjQS24SaQ~~z4XO47x4DCOgURHfriwYhYXye8ZmL5625Gpb-grZADUy~ENEQGOs-mEx4a51MTjGjz0SrvDXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Malden City, MA","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Staff from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development presented the council with proposed zoning amendments to implement the state's new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requirements, and the City Council voted to refer the mayor's proposed zoning changes and an appended alternative to a joint ordinance and planning board hearing.

Michelle Romero, city planner, summarized key dates and provisions: the Affordable Homes Act was signed Aug. 6, 2024; draft state guidelines were released Dec. 6, 2024; and the ADU regulatory provisions take effect Feb. 2, 2025. Romero and staff described the ADU in state law as a single additional dwelling unit allowed by right in zoning districts where single-family dwellings are permitted. The proposed local amendments (Paper 13-25) define ADUs, allow reasonable regulations such as dimensional controls and site plan review, prohibit owner-occupancy requirements, and reflect a maximum ADU size of the smaller of 900 square feet or half the principal dwelling.

Staff told the council that under current draft guidance ADUs located within a half-mile of a subway or bus station or bus route cannot be subject to a mandatory parking requirement — a provision that, as drafted, would apply to most of Malden. Romero also said the ADU designation does not require local affordability, but ADUs must meet building, fire, and sanitary codes and may be subject to short-term rental restrictions consistent with local ordinance.

Councilors debated implementation, including concerns about absentee landlords, parking impacts, code compliance, and city staffing to conduct plan review and inspections. Several councilors said they want to pursue landlord registration and parallel enforcement measures. Councilor Linehan explained the compressed timeline and recommended advertising the full range of proposed alternatives now so the public can review them before a joint hearing; she said nothing on the books will stop ADUs from being allowed by right on Feb. 2 unless the city enacts compliant rules.

Councilor Winslow proposed an alternative “Plan B” (more permissive dimensional options and other language) to be appended to the mayor's submission for public notice and discussion in the ordinance committee. The council voted to amend Paper 13-25 to append the alternative and then voted to refer the amended paper to a joint ordinance and planning board hearing. The referral passed by roll call, 9–2. Those recorded voting no on referral were Councilor Condon and Council President Ryan O'Malley; councilors recorded voting yes included Colon Hayes, Crow, Linehan, McDonald, Cica, Simonelli, Spadafore, Taylor, and Winslow.

Public comment at the meeting included a resident who said she intends to add an internal ADU and supports the city moving forward with the law; the council also read an email urging the council to \"keep in mind the spirit of the Affordable Homes Act\" and to avoid unnecessary complications in implementation.

Councilors asked staff to supply GIS parcel estimates and other data for the ordinance committee and to prepare a public notice that includes both the mayor's proposal and the appended alternative so the public can comment during the advertised hearing cycle. Staff said they will calculate rough estimates of how many ADUs could be permitted and expect that figure to be on the order of thousands of potential ADUs citywide if the zoning is broadly permissive, but said a precise number would be provided at the public hearing using GIS analysis.

The council did not adopt final zoning language tonight. The referral starts the formal process for public hearings and committee review before any ordinance vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Malden City Council 1-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","City staff outlined how the state's Affordable Homes Act will require ADUs by right beginning Feb. 2, 2025; the council appended an alternative proposal, debated parking and neighborhood impacts, and referred the zoning paper to a joint ordinance and planning board hearing 9–2.","taxTitle","Malden City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",5722,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6396301,"Malden Council unveils 2025 committee roster, approves preliminary committee-structure changes",740,335000,1075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097358-414ba9ec319435476e305bf64d629033&start=335&end=1075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097358-414ba9ec319435476e305bf64d629033/thumbnail_335000.jpg","/articles/6396301/Malden-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Malden-Council-unveils-2025-committee-roster-approves-preliminary-committee-structure-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396301-b6db9c60fffb2b42a16325a4a4cfcbb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437908&Signature=V5zqLjJzQW83S-3xhy6qJD0HvJYAQCyAWdi9xJkMC7PNYhCxuvzabs43kArxEV4MOgk2IjuzHyofSZLjSw5kL92HjQR-U9WQoHcXpkQ2quBhHr9kEEaUk~9FaUvHOjVQVjefsGJEoQsWPIa7lJYUot5P5kN8iqbKqhz92BQzhPpyg1pOy708tslPaAHHUsVaaw9jjuPUQyS4esBZNYUlnbBmqfqI33XWucghpD4OxKbhH0~CvOdRk43lrTvhCMJy5aHEDR2cMbwyPTukjTkl7vdFAclG3m1tfWBlVU-onIwWTaZMDSve2wnyhrFL9qjycw6WVINN66Vj5yVPvYZw6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council President Ryan O'Malley presented the Malden City Council's 2025 committee appointments and a set of changes to committee sizes and special committees, and the council voted to place the roster on file and to amend committee membership counts pending a final vote next week.

O'Malley said the changes aim to \"remove barriers to results,\" expand committee membership from three to five where feasible, and add several special committees, including Arts and Culture, Community Traditions, and a Quadricentennial Planning Committee for the city's 400th anniversary. He said the changes were developed with the city's chief strategy and innovation officer and other staff and that some committees will develop their own mission statements.

Councilor Cica moved, and Councilor Colon Hayes seconded, to receive the committee appointments and place them on file; the motion passed by roll call. Later, a motion to amend the committee structures as presented was moved and seconded; the council approved that amendment on first reading but O'Malley said the change is a rule change and therefore requires a second vote next week to take effect.

Specific committee leadership announced included Councilor Colon Hayes as chair of the Community Engagement and Inclusion Committee, Councilor McDonald chairing Finance, Councilor Linehan chairing Personnel and Appointments, Councilor Condon chairing Public Safety, and Councilor Spadafore chairing Public Properties. Special committees and ex officio appointments were also named; for example, the Quadricentennial Planning Committee is chaired by Council President O'Malley with Vice Chair Spadafore and member McDonald and requests the mayor or designee and the CFO or designee to be part of the committee.

The council debated the change to committee sizes in part because small three-member committees can make follow-up conversations difficult under the Open Meeting Law. O'Malley said expanding several committees to five members would make it easier to attain quorum and conduct business outside full council sessions. The amendment to committee membership passed by roll call and will be presented again for final adoption next week because rule changes cannot be adopted the same night they are proposed.

The council also noted logistical improvements to the chamber, including new extension tables on the dais for the city solicitor, clerk of committees, treasurer and controller to facilitate access to documents during meetings.

No substantive policy authority or ordinance text was adopted as part of the committee appointments motion; the actions recorded were procedural (receive and place on file, and an amendment to committee composition that requires a subsequent final vote).","The Malden City Council on Jan. 14 presented committee appointments for 2025, approved a motion to place the committee list on file and approved proposed changes to committee sizes and structure on a preliminary basis; final rule changes will be voted next week.","actionData","errors"]

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Malden council refers accessory-dwelling-unit zoning changes to joint planning and ordinance hearing after lengthy debate

Malden Council unveils 2025 committee roster, approves preliminary committee-structure changes