Peabody council continues ADU zoning hearing to July 9 over safety and implementation questions
June 25, 2026 | Peabody City, Essex County, Massachusetts
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The Peabody City Council on June 25 voted to continue a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to add section 6.18 for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) until July 9, saying key departmental clarifications are needed before a final vote.
Andrew Levin, senior planner for the city’s community development department, told the council the department has been working on the ADU language since February 2025 and that the draft had most recently been before the planning board on June 18. "This department has been working on this since February 2025," Levin said, noting the draft incorporated state guidance and planning‑board feedback on building size, parking, short‑term rental definitions and lease language.
Resident Aristides Rumeliadis, speaking during public comment, urged the council to remove a provision he interpreted as creating a permanent bar on local ADU relief. "Local ADU is prohibited," he said, asking the council to "strike out" the local‑ADU language so property owners retain a path to seek relief.
Councilors said the draft still leaves unresolved implementation questions. Councilor Peach pressed whether fire, building, health and treasury responses had been incorporated and raised a central safety issue: if an internal ADU converts a two‑family into a three‑unit occupancy, should the ordinance explicitly trigger sprinkler requirements. "That's the biggest cost," Peach said, urging language that protects public safety.
Multiple councilors said they supported adopting local guidance but preferred a short continuance to allow staff to collect and incorporate departmental edits. Planner Levin agreed to send departmental notices and work to fold comments into a revised draft.
On a roll‑call vote the council voted 11–0 to continue the hearing to July 9. The council asked staff to provide the council with departmental feedback on wiring, utilities, occupancy changes, short‑term rental definitions and any legal constraints before the next meeting.
Andrew Levin, senior planner for the city’s community development department, told the council the department has been working on the ADU language since February 2025 and that the draft had most recently been before the planning board on June 18. "This department has been working on this since February 2025," Levin said, noting the draft incorporated state guidance and planning‑board feedback on building size, parking, short‑term rental definitions and lease language.
Resident Aristides Rumeliadis, speaking during public comment, urged the council to remove a provision he interpreted as creating a permanent bar on local ADU relief. "Local ADU is prohibited," he said, asking the council to "strike out" the local‑ADU language so property owners retain a path to seek relief.
Councilors said the draft still leaves unresolved implementation questions. Councilor Peach pressed whether fire, building, health and treasury responses had been incorporated and raised a central safety issue: if an internal ADU converts a two‑family into a three‑unit occupancy, should the ordinance explicitly trigger sprinkler requirements. "That's the biggest cost," Peach said, urging language that protects public safety.
Multiple councilors said they supported adopting local guidance but preferred a short continuance to allow staff to collect and incorporate departmental edits. Planner Levin agreed to send departmental notices and work to fold comments into a revised draft.
On a roll‑call vote the council voted 11–0 to continue the hearing to July 9. The council asked staff to provide the council with departmental feedback on wiring, utilities, occupancy changes, short‑term rental definitions and any legal constraints before the next meeting.
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