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UPDATE SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 23:30:
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Lexington Planning and Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday to discuss a proposed order for accessory housing units, ADUs. After a long four-hour back-and-forth, the ordinance was passed with amendments to be sent to the full council on October 12.
“This is an important housing option that provides flexibility for everyone in our community as the needs of families evolve and change,” says Chris Woodall, director of long-term planning at Lexington. “It’s a small but essential part of an overall housing strategy and it’s an element that is important to those for whom it is important.
During the meeting, many people from across Lexington approached the committee to give their views on the ordinance. While some support ADUs to offer a solution to Lexington’s housing crisis, others oppose these structures being used for any purpose other than for the elderly or disabled.
“It’s going to create an increase in socialization, a decrease in depression, which equates to an overall increase in health and well-being and the pandemic has shown us what isolation can do, especially for people. elderly or people with disabilities, ”says a community member in favor of the law.
“As more and more people move in, if this materializes, the commitment to the neighborhood of short-term tenants is not the same as that of the owners of the property,” says one opposing woman to the legalization of ADUs. “Ownership isn’t getting any cheaper in Chevy Chase, I promise you, and adding more units won’t help.”
The committee adopted amendments to the ordinance that will not legalize newly built detached units as ADUs, but pre-existing ones would be protected. Lawmakers say it still converts existing properties. The ordinance with the amendments will be sent to the Lexington working session in October.
ORIGINAL POSITION:
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – People looking to add “master suites” to Lexington homes are finally getting attention.
Lexington lawmakers have not considered “accessory housing units” or ADUs since 2019.
Small dwellings can be part of or detached from an existing house.
On Tuesday, the Urban Departmental Council heard from some people for and against the units.
Brittany Roethemeier, executive director of Fayette Alliance, said allowing homeowners to build secondary suites is one way to meet Lexington’s need for more housing.
“As a community, we really need to look at all possible solutions to address our housing challenges and increase the accessibility, affordability and diversity of our housing supply,” said Roethemeier.
At the board meeting, Planning Director James Duncan recalled what had been discussed in 2019 and the public comments.
In response, the board made several changes to the ordinance:
- Only two adults, plus related children, can live in an ADU.
- Landlords cannot use an ADU as a short term rental without a special permit.
- The owner must live in one of the two dwellings.
- If the home is sold, the new owner will be notified of any restrictions and will be provided with tools to remove the ADU, if desired.
- Finally, interested owners must go through a pre-application process.
Yet some people oppose it. They said it would end up causing disruption.
“We in the neighborhood don’t like having to be in adversarial relationships with our neighbor tenants,” said one person in attendance.
Council member James Brown said he sees both sides and wants to take the time to address any concerns while tackling the larger issue.
“Housing is always a pressing issue in Lexington and particularly the affordability of housing in our city,” Brown said.
Larry Frakes, director of loans at the Guardian Bank, agrees housing is becoming increasingly scarce, but warns homeowners they may not get the return on investment they expect if they try to sell their property. house with an ADU.
“It’s the refinancing or selling of this property somewhere down the road that could catch up with you if there aren’t enough similar properties to try to justify the value you think you have in this property,” he said. declared Frakes.
The council is planning a special meeting as well as a public hearing.
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