Bolton PZC adopts ‘Middle Housing’ zoning amendments, allows conditioned flat roofs and three stories

The Bolton Planning & Zoning Commission voted July 8, 2026, to adopt amendments to the town’s Zoning Regulations adding Section 450-7.2, titled “Middle Housing,” aimed at regulating small-scale multifamily housing types in Bolton. The motion to approve the amendments as amended during the public hearing carried 7-0-0; the amendments are effective July 15, 2026.

Patrice Carson, Consulting Director of Community Development, told the commission staff had been working on the Middle Housing rules, had met with the Cider Mill owner and counsel to draft regulations, and that staff had brought the draft to the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) for review. CRCOG offered three suggestions; the commission declined one recommendation to alter the Mixed-Use Development definition to align with Conn. Gen. Stat. 8-1a, and accepted other edits recommended by CRCOG.

One substantive change adopted at the hearing adds conditional permission for flat roofs in Section 450-7.2. The added text permits flat roofs "provided they incorporate architectural features that create visual interest and avoid a blank or monolithic appearance," and lists example treatments such as variations in roofline, changes in building height, integrated cornices and overhangs. The commission agreed the additional language would allow the design examples that appear in the draft while requiring architectural detailing.

Commissioners also amended the dimensional standards table to allow three full stories, specifically to accommodate the draft’s examples of multiunit buildings (the draft refers to these designs as "perfect sixes"). No written testimony or public speakers were recorded at the hearing; with no public comment, the hearing was closed at 7:50 p.m.

The minutes note that the commission will return to related regulation work later, including consideration of an overlay housing zone intended to address the Cider Mill and Drive‑In properties. The meeting record lists Patrice Carson and Michael D’Amato, Zoning Enforcement Officer, as staff; the action was recorded in application #PL-26-3.

Votes at a glance
• Approval of June 10, 2026 meeting minutes — Passed, 7-0-0 (moved: James Cropley; second: Marilee Manning).
• Close public hearing on Section 450-7.2 (#PL-26-3) — Passed, 7-0-0 (moved: James Cropley; second: Kawan Gordon).
• Adopt Section 450-7.2 Middle Housing (#PL-26-3), effective 07/15/2026 — Passed, 7-0-0 (moved: Ellen King; second: James Cropley).
• Adjourn — Passed, 7-0-0 (moved: James Cropley; second: Kawan Gordon).

Next steps and context: The commission’s minutes record that staff are awaiting further guidance from OPM (as noted in the minutes; the transcript does not expand the acronym) and that future amendments will include consideration of an overlay housing zone for the Cider Mill and Drive‑In properties. The record shows no written testimony and no neighboring-town comments were recorded.