Salem - Residents had a chance to give opinions on proposed changes to three regulations related to affordable housing during a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing Tuesday night.

The first two regulation changes the commission addressed - one that would allow single family houses to be as small as 850 square feet and another that would allow two-family houses to be built on parcels one and a half times the minimum lot size rather than twice the minimum lot size - prompted few questions and were generally well received by the dozen residents in attendance.

The regulation that was met with more debate and mixed opinions by the audience, and had been met with similar indecision by the commission at previous meetings, dealt with accessory apartments.

As the regulation stands, accessory apartments may exist as long as they are attached to the main house, are rented to a family member related by blood or marriage and are no larger than 800 square feet or 40 percent of the main dwelling.

The proposed changes would allow accessory apartments to be rented to a maximum of two people regardless of family relation, would allow accessory apartments to be built or created in detached units as long as they are within 50 feet of the main dwelling, and would require architectural compatibility between the accessory apartment and the main house.

While dropping the family relation requirement and the requirement for architectural compatibility received unanimous support, audience and board members debated the size requirements, distance requirements and ability for the units to be detached.

While the board capped apartment sizes at 800 square feet to differentiate between accessory apartments and single-family dwellings, some in the audience said they believed 1,000 square feet might be more appropriate.

A few spoke out against the requirement that a detached unit be within 50 square feet of the house, advocating for allowing a greater distance. While commission members admitted the distance of 50 feet was somewhat arbitrary, they said they wanted the apartment to be close enough to the main dwelling so that its occupants could not create a disturbance without the landlords knowing about it, allowing for self enforcement.

"These were conversations that we went through and we were trying to look as it as though we were living next door," said commission member Gary Walter.

First Selectman Kevin Lyden suggested the commission take the change in steps, not immediately allowing for detached apartments. Others, however, raised questions about water and sewage systems for detached structures.

Selectman Elburt Burr praised the board for proposing changes that would allow for affordable housing.

"This would be a step in the right direction. We are looking for places for people to live that are inexpensive. This is a big plus in my book," Burr said.

The commission delayed making a decision until its next meeting on Feb. 24.

j.hopper@theday.com

Twitter: @JessHoppa