Everything Old is New Again

Granny Flats: Everything Old is New Again

Here's the letter I wrote to City Council last week when B told me that the new zoning laws would be on their agenda this week. "I understand you will be discussing the new zoning laws next week. I would like to urge you to support the use of accessory dwelling units. In addition to providing more affordable housing, some of the benefits include

• increased security
• care and support for ailing family members
• increased supply of affordable housing
  
• efficient use of existing housing stocks and infrastructure
• promote growth while conserving land and preventing sprawl

After more than 30 years of living in Highland neighborhood, I know that one of the best things about living in an inner city neighborhood is the diversity of both the houses and the population. ADUs are an excellent way to preserve this important characteristic of inner city living."

Portland, Oregon became a leader in the national movement to allow ADUs when they revised their regulations earlier this year. One Portland builder explains, "Before WWII, ADUs were a common fixture of American communities because they integrated well into neighborhoods, provided affordable housing options for young and old, and facilitated inter-generational living for families. However, after WWII, national patterns of urban development shifted toward low-density suburban sprawl and ADUs fell out of favor. Decades of urban blight, segregation, car dependence, and loss of greenspace followed."

Now cities, including Denver, are looking at these smaller infill units to provide smarter growth patterns and diversity to revitalized urban neighborhoods.