Waterford — The town's Planning and Zoning Commission will listen to public comments Tuesday night and consider whether to recommend the town opt out of Public Act 21-29, an act that standardizes requirements for accessory dwellings units throughout the state.

An accessory dwelling unit, also referred to as accessory apartments, is a small residential unit attached or detached to a home. Public Act 21-29 would permit accessory apartments anywhere residential uses are permitted without a special permit or public hearing.

Housing advocates say the act prevents towns from enacting zoning regulations that discriminate on the basis of income source (including public assistance), income level, or "immutable characteristics" (other than age and disability).

The legislation went into effect Jan. 1 and municipalities can choose whether to "opt out" of the law before the same date next year. Opting out of the law requires a public hearing and a vote by the Planning and Zoning Commission and another vote by the Representative Town Meeting.

If municipalities opt out of Public Act 21-29, they can keep their existing regulations or change them.

Waterford's Planning Director Abby Piersall said there will be a brief discussion at Tuesday's meeting about what the regulations may look like if the town opts out and the commission updates its regulations.

Piersall said the public hearing is not to consider adopting new regulations, adding that could come later with another public hearing.

Waterford's commission will meet online Tuesday through Zoom at 6:30 p.m. The link to the meeting can be accessed through the commission's agenda on the town website.