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Meetings and Events

Salem Town Meeting Recap: Key Zoning and Parking Decisions Discussed

The Salem City Council recently held a joint public hearing with the Planning Board to discuss three critical zoning ordinance amendments. The discussions centered on changes to the flood hazard overlay, accessory dwelling units, and the Halloween parking overlay district. Here’s a breakdown of the deliberations and proposed changes.

  • Flood Hazard Overlay District: The meeting began with a presentation by Senior Planner Tom Divine, who proposed revisions to the flood hazard overlay district zoning ordinance. The main updates involve referencing new FEMA maps that take effect on July 8, 2025, ensuring continued eligibility for residents to purchase federal flood insurance. The amendments also include minor changes requested by the state floodplain office.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Amanda Chenoli from the Planning Department presented the proposed changes to the ADU ordinance, influenced by the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. These amendments focus on compliance with state law, which prohibits owner occupancy requirements for ADUs and negates the need for special permits. The discussion highlighted the need to balance housing needs with maintaining zoning standards, exploring affordable options for homeowners.
    • Non-conformities Addressed: With a significant proportion of Salem’s lots being non-conforming, the ordinance outlines a process for Section 3 findings, ensuring that modifications don't detrimentally impact neighborhoods.
  • Halloween Parking Overlay District: The meeting also addressed the Halloween parking overlay district, designed to manage parking during the high-traffic month of October. Rather than maintaining the zoning overlay, officials proposed moving to a registration-based model allowing residents and businesses to rent out parking spaces citywide, while maintaining restrictions on streets with resident-only parking.
    • Registration Approach: The proposed model involves a $100 annual registration fee, maintaining oversight while enabling residents to capitalize on October’s tourism boom. The council deliberated extensively on the pros and cons of the approach, weighing enforcement challenges and the potential benefits for residents and local businesses.

The council highlighted that these measures aim to refine Salem's zoning and parking landscape to meet evolving residential needs and manage the annual influx of visitors during the Halloween season. Further discussions and consultations will be necessary before finalizing these adjustments.

This is an AI summary generated from this YouTube video. There may be inaccuracies.

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