The Alton Town planning committee voted to send Proposed Amendment 3, which updates local accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and definitions, to the planning board for review.

Jesse, planning staff, told the committee the amendment incorporates the states ADU definition and adds new items for attached and detached units. He said the text includes two new numbered provisions (items 7 and 8) and minor renumbering of existing sections. "This is the definition. So part of this is the definition of detached," Jesse said while reading the draft.

The committee focused on several areas where local rules intersect with the state law. Members discussed a clause that would bar ADUs on any lot with more than one existing dwelling unit, asking whether that restriction conflicts with state provisions. Jesse said he did not find contrary language in the state materials provided and noted some of the local wording is a carryover that predates the states revision.

Size limits drew extended discussion. The draft states "in no case shall the town of Alton require that the accessory dwelling unit be less than 750 square feet," a provision members said functionally guarantees a minimum ADU floor area even when percentage-based rules might produce a smaller allowable unit. For detached ADUs, the amendment includes a separate cap of 950 square feet. Jesse said that cap was added to make the detached definition consistent with the state's language.

The committee also revised parking language to align with recent state legislation. Members read the proposed sentence aloud: "The owner of the property shall provide a minimum of two off-street parking spaces, one for the primary single-family dwelling and one for the accessory dwelling unit." The change reflects Senate Bill 284, which committee members cited as prohibiting municipalities from requiring more than one parking space per dwelling unit.

On wastewater, members noted that existing functioning septic systems are not automatically required to be replaced; the draft would require a DES subsurface-bureau design when an increase in septic demand is proposed. Jesse and other members said that follows New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) practice: a functioning system generally needs a design to support increased demand rather than immediate replacement.

After the discussion the committee voted to forward Proposed Amendment 3 to the planning board for its review. The voice vote was recorded as "Aye" and the motion passed.

Next steps: the planning staff will transmit the amendment packet to the planning board and town council for their review and any suggested edits before public hearings.