Legislation that promotes accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, statewide is set to take effect July 1. Municipalities say that’s not enough time to comply.
|Kelly Bouchard, Portland Press Herald|
Pete Chabot has ambitious plans for his 3.2-acre lot in New Gloucester – unless Maine lawmakers roll back landmark legislation aimed at increasing home construction and helping to end a crippling housing crisis.Chabot, 45, has been saving up, working tons of overtime as a precision machine operator, so he can build two cabins on his wooded property – one for him and his adult daughter, to replace their mobile home, and the other for his retired mother and stepfather, so they can move back from Colorado.
Sweeping legislation enacted last year and set to take effect July 1 would help Chabot reach his goal. One aspect of L.D. 2003 makes accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, legal statewide, including detached units that currently aren’t allowed under New Gloucester’s building standards for in-law apartments
But the new law is getting strong pushback from municipalities large and small, including New Gloucester. A legislative committee is considering several bills that would clarify or roll back certain aspects of the law, or delay compliance for two years. Keep reading
