Date: June 21, 2018
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission holds a discussion exploring reform of the City regulations governing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Summary Report:
As part of the Planning Commission work plan and the City Council Strategic Plan, which also coincides with the HRA's goals, we will be looking at the regulations regarding ADUs in an effort to grow and maintain affordable housing. One of the initiatives in this effort is to remove barriers to affordable housing. ADUs have the potential to increase housing affordability (both for homeowners and tenants), create a wider range of housing options within the community, enable seniors to stay near family as they age, and facilitate better use of the existing housing fabric in established neighborhoods. While many communities are interested in expanding housing choices by allowing ADUs in single-family areas, some residents of these areas may be concerned about ADUs changing the character of their neighborhoods or overburdening existing infrastructure.
Research from the American Planning Association (APA) does not support fears about lower property values or parking shortages. Conversely, there are some indications that ADUs do increase the supply of affordable housing and do make significant economic contributions to their host communities, through construction activity and property taxes.
Northfield is currently experiencing a housing predicament. Northfield's popularity and high quality of life makes it an attractive place to live, thereby increasing demand for all housing types. The limited availability of vacant, developable land within city limits have placed upward pressure on both home prices and rental rates. One result of this has been an increased interest by home owners in building accessory units.
ADU's are currently a permitted accessory use i...
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