Harwich Planning Board Reviews Five Zoning Amendments Before April 14 Public Hearing

HARWICH — March 24, 2026 — Harwich Planning Board previews five proposed zoning amendments set for a public hearing April 14. Town Planner Nathan walked members through the package at the March 24 meeting, including a protected-use accessory dwelling unit bylaw designed to bring the town into compliance with the state's 2024 Affordable Homes Act and Chapter 40A, Section 3, which allows ADUs by right up to 1,000 square feet and permits towns to prohibit short-term rentals of those units. A proposed amendment to Table 3 would reduce the maximum height for multifamily buildings in residential districts from 40 to 30 feet and cut maximum stories from three and a half to two and a half. A citizens petition to prohibit multifamily special permits in the RRL and RM districts is also on the April 14 agenda, though town counsel has advised the board to refrain from commenting on it. Nathan separately reported that three abutters have filed an appeal in the Witchmare Redevelopment Project, suspending the 65-day Planning Board clock indefinitely and blocking any public hearing on that project until the matter is resolved.