GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — At Thursday’s Greenfield Planning Board meeting, city councilor John Garrett presented five proposed zoning amendments to address the housing needs in the community. The amendments include:

  1. Allow multifamily dwellings by right (with site plan review) in Semi-Residential zone.
  2. Raise the maximum number of units allowed in new multifamily dwellings.
  3. Amend zoning ordinance 200-7.10 to allow first-floor dwellings in mixed use lots.
  4. Revise dimensional regulations to allow row houses in the Central Commercial, General Commercial, Semi-Residential, and Urban Residential zones.
  5. Consider allowing detached accessory dwelling units by right in all zones.

Planning Director Eric Twarog, who worked with councilor Garrett to draft the amendment proposals, suggested a task force be formed to work on these amendments as they involve in-depth discussion on what can be controversial topics.