The Alton Town planning committee debated and approved sending revised language on replacement of nonconforming structures (E2) to legal review.

Norma presented a prior version of the nonconforming-structure rules and argued the 2024 rewrite had left owners without a workable path to rebuild or improve older structures. Committee members discussed the historical approach that had allowed reconstruction and limited expansions through the special-exception process.

Committee members agreed to new draft wording for E2 in which replacement of a nonconforming structure may be permitted by special exception if it meets specified criteria in addition to the general special-exception standards. The draft language discussed in the meeting included:

- A provision allowing one-bedroom structures to be increased to two bedrooms if the owner obtains DES Subsurface Bureau approval for the increased septic demand.
- A prohibition on increasing the number of bedrooms for structures that already have two or more bedrooms.
- A requirement that the replacement not increase the nonconforming aspects of the structure.
- A requirement that replacement be relocated, "to the extent feasible," to reduce nonconforming aspects.

Members said the updated wording aims to avoid forcing applicants to seek variances for routine rebuilds and to return to a clearer, administrable special-exception pathway. One member summarized the change as: "If a special exception is approved by the zoning board of adjustment, if replacement complies with the following in addition to the criteria outlined in section 5 20..."

The committee moved the revised E2 language to legal review; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff will send the language to town counsel and report back to the committee with any required legal edits before the material is forwarded to the planning board.