Douglas Master Plan Committee Reviews Housing Chapter, Votes to Restore ADU Action Item

DOUGLAS -- November 19, 2025, Douglas Master Plan Committee debates housing density, industrial zoning, and photo contest prizes. The committee met November 19 and spent the bulk of its session reviewing a draft population and housing chapter that documents a median age of 45, school enrollment down roughly 600 students from peak, and a housing stock that members said does not match current demand. Town Assessor Chris Pupka advised the committee to leave industrial zoning in place on privately held land in the northwest corner, warning that a rezoning to match the surrounding state forest designation would reduce the town's state land-acquisition reimbursements, currently assessed at $7,000 to $8,000 per acre but likely to fall to near zero under a forest overlay. The committee voted unanimously to remove and then, within minutes, unanimously to restore a draft action item on accessory dwelling unit bylaw compliance after member John Chabanov said a revised ADU bylaw is already on track for the May Town Meeting. CMRPC planner Emily announced that the agency has received a grant to conduct village center planning for East Douglas, with community workshops expected to begin soon. Chabanov reported the Right to Farm bylaw passed at a recent Town Meeting 374 to 137, which he called a record turnout.