AGAWAM – In a regular meeting on Nov. 4, the Agawam City Council voted against the updated version of the accessory apartment bylaw.

The ordinance, which would have allowed accessory apartments to be used for immediate family members of “owner-occupied and primary residential single-family homes,” raised questions among the council members.

Among the issues presented by council members were the cost of apartments, enforcement policies, and size concerns.

Councilor Robert Rossi, who has been opposed to this proposal since the beginning, said that “the town of Agawam is going to be walking into a hornet’s nest with something like this.”

Much of Rossi’s argument against the ordinance revolved around the restriction of immediate family members, and how that situation would even be enforced or planned out. He said he believes that there are other ways people can accommodate incoming family members within the confines of their own home.

“If we’re looking to bring people back into the home, for example sending kids away for college, and they want to come back in to get on their feet before they go out into the world, I’m sure they can find accommodations within a home,” said Rossi.

To Rossi, these alternate accommodations could include fixing up the owner’s cellar, or putting extra bathrooms in the home. He thinks that a single-family dwelling should also only have one kitchen in it.

Rossi’s other large issue with the ordinance was the structure’s proposed size of 900 square feet.

“Gauging from the typical homes in Agawam, putting a 900-square-foot structure on that home would just make the home look terrible,” said Rossi. “It just certainly would not blend in with the continuity of the neighborhood.”

Councilor Dino Mercadante expanded on Rossi’s concerns by stating that enforcement would be one of the major problems with a bylaw of this stature.

“Quite frankly, our inspection services would have to be so overly-proactive to stay after something like this,” said Mercadante.

He also raised the issue of expired permits, and how that would be addressed if a homeowner decides not to renew.

“The problem becomes, who’s going to stay after that homeowner, who no longer has an obligation to the town, other than to keep that unrented, and used just for family members,” said Mercadante. “What’s going to happen is, once the town and the homeowner obligation has ceased through this permit, it’s going to be almost impossible to see what that homeowner is doing with that unit.”

Councilor Gerald Smith presented numerous reasons for why attached accessory apartments would not fit the environment of Agawam. Factually speaking, there’s a low percentage of aging parents who want to move in with their adult children.

“According to AARP, only 30 percent of aging parents want to move in with their adult children; 70 percent do not,” Smith said.

Smith also said that a 600-square-foot single dwelling, which consists of a kitchen/kitchenette, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a sitting area, would cost about an average of $78,000. A 900-square-foot one would cost $162,000. For most people, this would require taking out a second mortgage, Smith said. This, according to Smith, would put an extra burden on the adult children, especially when that dwelling isn’t being used.

The overall consensus throughout the council was that this does not address affordable housing, however, Councilor Mario Tedeschi, who voted yes to the ordinance, did emphasize the city’s need to accommodate its aging population.

“I think the town needs to do something to address this issue,” said Tedeschi. “I also don’t believe we’re going to be overwhelmed by these things … I believe that the building inspector department will easily be able to know who’s got one (apartment) that’s legal, and enforce it.”

Tedeschi does share the same concerns with regards to the structure being rented out as an Airbnb for the weekend, or used for some other function once the homeowner’s permit is expired.

The other notable topic discussed during the meeting was Mayor William Sapelli’s ordinance involving marijuana processing and manufacturing in the city. The council decided to refer it to the Planning Board for their recommendation since this is an amendment to a zoning ordinance. The public hearing for this proposal will be during the Dec. 7 city council meeting.

The other items on the agenda were all referred to the legislative subcommittee.