Regarding accessory dwelling units

Accessory dwelling units— sometimes called granny flats, backyard cottages, casitas, or in-law suites— are growing in popularity across the country as one way to address affordable housing. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can be located within the primary dwelling such as a basement or attic or may be attached to the primary dwelling or be structurally separate from the primary dwelling. ADUs usually contain a separate kitchen and bathroom.

The development of ADUs can be traced back to the early 20th century, when they were a common feature in single-family housing. Many ADUs were created by middle-aged or older persons seeking to take in boarders after their children moved out. AfterWorldWar II, the increased demand for housing led to explosive growth in the suburbs, where the zoning regulations focused almost exclusively on the housing needs of the traditional nuclear family. Suburban development continued to be the prevalent form of housing through the 1950s and 1960, leading most communities to prohibit ADU construction.

Here in Santa Fe, casitas or ADUs are permitted by land-use regulations but there are still significant barriers preventing more frequent construction of these units. Many were constructed to provide independent housing for elderly parents, grown children, extended family, care providers, or guests. But a convergence of factors is making ADUs a real policy necessity for Santa Fe’s housing solutions.

American families are growing in number but shrinking in size. People are living longer and staying single longer, and married couples are having fewer children. The housing stock has not kept up with this change in family demographics. Not only is family size changing, but so are the economic circumstances of families. As the population ages, many seniors find themselves living in their family homes alone with limited income to pay for costly health-care services or home maintenance. When addressing disparate housing needs with limited resources, communities are considering concentrating population density to encourage the use of existing public infrastructure, services, and easy access to public transportation.

The purpose of allowing accessory dwelling units is to: a) provide homeowners with a way to obtain, through tenants in either the ADU or principal unit, rental income, companionship, security, or services; b) add affordable units to existing housing; c) make housing units available to moderate-income people who might otherwise have difficulty finding homes; d) develop housing units in single-family neighborhoods that are appropriate for people at various stages in the life cycle; and e) protect neighborhood stability, property values, and the single-family appearance of the neighborhood.

As a member of the Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition, the association is promoting a number of ADU recommendations developed through consensus to encourage their growth in Santa Fe. Some of the ways we can help growADUs would be to minimize parking requirements when adequate on-street parking is available, allow second story ADUs where permitted by zoning, permit flexible setbacks and reduce lot coverage requirements, and eliminate owner-occupancy requirements to protect long-term rental units.

Our community should also create as many funding opportunities as possible to increase access to construction and longterm financing.

Rubel “Paco” Arguello is chief executive of the Santa Fe Association of Realtors. Contact him at 982-8385 or paco@sfar. com.