SHELBURNE — The Planning Board hopes to change bylaws concerning non-conforming lots to allow for construction of affordable housing on properties the town recently took for back taxes.

The board will hold a virtual public hearing to share the proposed changes on Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m.

Through the tax title taking process, the town has acquired three parcels in the past three months. After meeting with representatives from Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, the Planning Board believes at least one of these parcels could be used to develop affordable housing.

Two of the lots on Main Road had structures that were recently demolished. However, these lots are not on the town sewer line, so they would need a septic system installed, according to Planning Board member Will Flanders.

The other lot is next to Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School on Mechanic Street. There’s a barn on the property that would need to be demolished to build affordable housing. Flanders said this property is considered a more viable option for construction.

All the parcels the town obtained are on non-conforming lots, meaning they do not meet current zoning requirements. The Planning Board hopes to modify the town bylaws to make these lots usable.

The board’s first change involves adding a definition for affordable housing to the town’s bylaws. The board proposes making the definition, “Housing units which qualify to be included in the town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory under [Massachusetts General Law] Chapter 40B.”

Chapter 40B enables local zoning boards to approve housing developments under flexible rules if the development contains a portion of affordable housing.

The Planning Board also intends to state in the bylaws that a special permit is required for the town or a town-contracted developer to build affordable housing in all areas, except the Industrial District, where affordable housing will not be allowed.

While lots must be at least 20,000 square feet in the Village Residential District and Village Commercial District for new construction, the modified bylaws would allow affordable housing to be built on a lot with only 5,000 square feet. Similarly, the minimum frontage required is currently 100 feet in the Village Residential District and Village Commercial District. Under the proposed changes, this would be reduced to 50 feet for affordable housing projects.

Additionally, the amended bylaws would allow affordable housing on non-conforming lots to be built as duplexes with a “zero lot line” bylaw addition. This means the property does not require side yards between the structures for the new construction.

“If you have two different families owning a building, they have to cooperate to function,” Flanders said. “This can be tricky — not everyone has the skills to do that.

“If we do a zero lot line, we can build a duplex and the only thing that is shared between units is a solid wall,” Flanders continued.

The last proposed change, which is not related to affordable housing, limits the maximum size of a sign in the Village Residential District to 12 square feet.

For the Zoom link to attend the public hearing, visit townofshelburne.com/g/48/Planning-Board.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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