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Manual on how to create accessory dwelling units

Manual on how to create accessory dwelling units

Status: Ongoing

Lexington United States of America
Print this page City population: 30842314.3% over 60Practice started in 2014

Summary

Working with AARP Community Challenge funds we created a Homeowners Guide to ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.

This effort started with a Mayor appointed Senior Services Commission, the executive branch of Livable Lexington; an age-friendly community. We championed the effort and approached the city’s Division of Planning, assisted in public education, provided input on the development of the ADU Manual, spoke to numerous stakeholder groups, and ultimately assisted in getting zoning text amendment language approved by the Planning Commission. We secured the funding for the project with an AARP Community Challenge grant of $10,000

Website: https://www.agefriendlylexington.org/

Key facts

Main target group: Both younger and older people (i.e. intergenerational)

Sector(s): Housing

Desired outcome for older people:
Meet their basic needs

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:
  • Accessibility
  • Ageing in place
  • Intergenerational activities

Contact details

Name: Kristy Stambaugh

Email address: Kstambau@lexingtonky.gov

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Local authorities

Others involved in the project:
  • Older People’s Association

Older people’s involvement: Older people helped to implement the age-friendly practice

Details on older people’s involvement: Older people presented at numerous public input meetings, spoke at neighborhood meetings, submitted letters of support, tabled at outreach events.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: No

Do you plan to evaluate your age-friendly practice? Yes

Feedback:
Once the Planning Commission unanimously passed the zoning text amendment language it went to our City Council who placed it in the Planning and Public Safety Committee for further review. Unfortunately the two dates that were set to review this have been curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns in the community have more to do with ADU’s being used as Short term rentals. The city is currently working on regulations for short term rentals that will ultimately help with our ADU efforts.

Expansion plans:
Yes, as soon as the Zoning Text Amendment is approved by the full council we will launch another educational campaign and the How to ADU manual will be distributed in print copy.

Looking back

Reflections:
For us the benefits of ADU as a long term housing solution were clear. The city comp plan is focused on infill and development. Unfortunately some of the Neighborhood Associations are in opposition.

Challenges:
Lack of understanding about what ADU is and how it benefits the community. Opposition from vocal groups opposed to infill and development Lack of understanding of the true picture of housing barriers in our community. Lack of awareness and understanding of the need for accessible housing.