Efforts to create new housing options in Williamstown will be described at a public session next month.

The Berkshire Eagle reports proposed changes to the town's zoning bylaw are designed to diversify Williamstown's housing stock and to attract younger families and professionals.

To achieve that, the Planning Board hopes to allow homeowners to split their properties into a two-family structure or to add an unattached accessory dwelling.

The change, reviewed Tuesday by the board, is seen as a way to provide smaller and more affordable housing that might attract young professionals like teachers, nurses, tradespeople, police officers, and others.

Still under discussion is whether to allow a property owner to divide a single family home into a two-family, and still be able to build a detached accessory dwelling unit on the property. Some have suggested limiting that to one or the other, but not both.

The board set the information session for Jan. 23, in a place not yet determined.

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