By CHRIS COLLINS
(Deerfield, MA) — Deerfield may be the latest community to allow residents to create smaller housing units on existing residential lots. The Deerfield Planning Board last night opened discussion on a proposed zoning bylaw which would allow for the construction of “accessory dwelling units”–also known as “mother-in-law apartments”–in homes which have the extra space to allow them. Greenfield passed a similar bylaw a few years back, the intent of which was to create additional housing while allowing homeowners to utilize space which would otherwise go to waste. The final decision on the zoning change will be made by Deerfield town meeting.