Housing Commission — June 2, 2026
The meeting was a standard procedural and informational session with no public testimony or internal voting conflicts.
Public impact
Housing Inventory and Affordability Gap
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A market update revealed an 8% increase in median single-family home prices and a surge in million-dollar-plus sales. The board noted that high interest rates and low inventory in the mid-range are making it difficult for many residents to enter or move within the market.
The board identified the disparity between luxury and mid-to-low-end inventory as a primary concern.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy
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The commission discussed streamlining ADU development by providing pre-approved plans and a list of vendors to reduce costs. There was a debate regarding the cost-effectiveness of modular versus stick-built construction.
The board decided to delay major initiatives until they can coordinate with the Planning Board.
Reach out to the Planning Board and Select Board to align commission goals.
Decisions logged
Topics discussed
▶ 00:43 Governance and Rules of Procedure Review
The commission discussed the annual requirement to review its rules of procedure to ensure they remain relevant.
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a speaker noted that the rules were originally cobbled together from other boards in 2022. Members expressed that many had not reviewed the document recently and suggested a thorough review of duties and responsibilities.
The board agreed to distribute the current rules to all members for review before voting on any changes.
Members will review the document and propose edits for a vote at the next meeting.
▶ 05:05 New London Housing Market Update
A report was presented detailing real estate trends, comparing 2024 to 2025 sales values for residential, condo, and waterfront properties.
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Data showed an 8% increase in median single-family home prices and a significant increase in sales for properties over $1 million. The board discussed the scarcity of homes in the $300,000–$500,000 range and the difficulty of downsizing or first-time home buying due to high prices and interest rates. They also touched on rental trends and the lack of a centralized rental database.
The board recognized the growing disparity between high-end luxury markets and the shrinking mid-to-low-end inventory.
▶ 1:03:30 ADU Communication and Policy Strategies
The commission explored ways to promote Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and streamline the permitting process.
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a speaker proposed creating a resource of pre-approved ADU plans and vendors, similar to Danville, CA, to reduce developer costs and permit times. Members discussed the benefits of modular vs. stick-built construction and the importance of distinguishing between the two to help homeowners understand cost-effectiveness.
The board decided to hold off on major new initiatives until they can consult with the Planning Board regarding the desired direction.
Reach out to the Planning Board to present these ideas and seek guidance.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Erosion of Local Control via State Legislation
Housing Market Disparity and Inventory Scarcity
Action items
Notable statements
The legislature is taking away local control more and more. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing state-level bills and how they impact a town's ability to regulate zoning and housing definitions. ▶ 59:01
We serve at your behest. — Unidentified speaker · Emphasizing the commission's role in working under the direction of the Select Board and Planning Board. ▶ 48:46
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Public comment
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grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b · analyzed 2026-06-07.