WMAIA COTE – Accessory Dwelling Units Focus
October 8, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Wednesday October 8| 4:00-5:30PM| ZOOM |1.5 HSW (approval pending)
WMAIA COTE PRESENTS: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Impact, Opportunities and Constraints
As the demand for housing far outpaces its construction, creative solutions at all levels are necessary to narrow the gap. ADUs can be an extra source of income for homeowners, an affordable entry into a community for a renter, and a viable opportunity for senior homeowners to age in place with a caretaker or family member. While ADUs exist all over the country, most have not been considered legal until municipalities recently started to change zoning codes while seeking ways to get involved in supporting these living arrangements.
ADUs can play a significant role in addressing the state’s housing crisis. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) estimates that 8,000-10,000 ADUs can be built in the next 5 years as a result of the new state law that allows ADUs to be built across Massachusetts. The law states that ADUs less than 900 square feet can now be built by-right in single-family zoning districts statewide, as outlined in the Affordable Homes Act, which was signed into law in August 2024.
This program looks at the opportunities and potential impact of ADUs in Western Massachusetts. Panel Discussion followed by Open Discussion and Q &A
ADU Rules in Regulations – Massachusetts and neighboring states
Tim O’Reilly, Backyard ADUs
Backyard ADUs has done extensive work across New England to tackle the housing crisis. Through permitting and building 100+ homes they have extensive experience navigating the regulator environment and understand the real-world barrier to ADU construction. With the passing of the AHA, it has been a fast-paced year of change across the Commonwealth. Tim is excited to break down what those changes entail, how they are playing out in our communities, and, based on other ADU trends, what the future might hold for us here in MA.
Building Architect-Designed ADUs – Opportunities and Constraints
Seth Lawrence-Slavas, Wright Builders
ADUs are susceptible to the same project dynamics as a single family home, they have kitchens and bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces, heating and cooling, plumbing, utilities, and on and on…..We will explore three different case studies and discuss how client goals and budgets played key roles in the development of design, specifications, and construction means and methods.
Potential Impact: Regulations and Theoretical Buildout
Prof. Rob Williams AIA and Prof. Ray K Mann AIA
Rob and Ray are engaged in an on-going project looking at barriers to ADU development with a specific focus on the evolving regulatory and zoning conditions. They conducted a series of GIS based analyses of Amherst to better understand the implications of existing and proposing ADU zoning regulations on the potential for ADU development. They used this to develop a series of recommendations for revisions to zoning that would allow for greater development of ADUs. They are also started visualizing different “build-out” scenarios.
What’s Happening on the Ground?
Brad Hutchinson AIA, Planning Board Member, South Hadley
Brad will be on hand to share his experience on a local planning board.
The WMAIA COTE Committee is sponsored by Wright Builders