PITTSFIELD, Mass. — County planners can see accessory dwelling units providing a "desperately needed" influx and diversity of housing in the Berkshires.

On Thursday, the Executive Committee of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission approved draft comments on ADUs for Housing Secretary Edward Augustus. As a part of the Affordable Homes Act, accessory dwelling units under 900 square feet will be allowed by right on Feb. 2.

The draft letter will be revised before reaching the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. It makes notes about the definition of a single-family zoning district, non-conformities, principal dwellings, parking, and access to water/wastewater.

"The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) commends the administration and legislature for removing regulatory barriers to allow the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Steps such as this have the potential to boost the supply and diversity of residential dwelling units, which is desperately needed in Berkshire County," the draft reads.

The housing office recently released ADU draft regulations that BRPC staff has reviewed and discussed with the region. Its suggestions aim to strengthen the regulations and remove uncertainty for communities.

Cornelius Hoss, BRPC's community planning and development program manager, explained that the big question was "What is a single-family zoning district?" This was clarified and BRPC has some concerns, feeling that it goes against best planning practices.

The definition includes dwellings allowed "by special permit, variance, waiver, or other zoning relief or discretionary zoning approval." The draft letter argues that allowing an ADU by right when a community has required a discretionary approval for a single-family dwelling appears to disregard whatever adverse impacts the community is trying to protect against.

"If a single-family home is allowable by right in that district, totally understand that. But going as far as to say that allowance of a use variance, which most of our communities allow, that then essentially creates all zoning districts in communities where use variance is allowable, that that qualifies as a single-family zoning district," Hoss said.

"So if that's where things stay in the end, at least we understand what their intent is. We just don't, from my perspective, we don't agree with that intent."