Q&A
Council Member Carr questions impact of ADUs on homeownership affordability
2:45:10
·
117 sec
Council Member David Carr expresses concerns about the inclusion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in one-family zoning districts, arguing it could increase property values and make homeownership less affordable. Chair Daniel Garodnick responds that the ADU provision is optional and could benefit homeowners by increasing property values and creating more housing units.
- Carr argues that allowing ADUs could increase sale values and make one-family homes less affordable
- Garodnick emphasizes that ADUs are not mandatory and could benefit homeowners
- The discussion highlights the tension between increasing housing supply and maintaining affordability
David Carr
2:45:10
Thank you, Chair Riley.
2:45:11
Thank you, Chairman, commissioner, good to see you both.
2:45:14
One of the more controversial aspects of the plan has been the inclusion of the accessory dwelling units particularly for one family zoning or 1 or 2 districts.
2:45:22
And I think one of the issues I have with it is that it seems to run across purposes with your stated goal of making homeownership more affordable.
2:45:31
Because what you're gonna have when you create defacto 2 family occupancy with the possibility of redevelopment of a one family site with the inclusion of an ADU, you've now drastically increased the sale value of the property even if the current owner chooses not to do that redevelopment.
2:45:50
You yourself are saying maybe only 5% may take advantage of that.
2:45:53
So now when the current owner decides they wanna put it up for sale, they now think they're selling what is effectively the possibility of a 2 family home.
2:46:01
And making that one family less affordable for a family that would look to buy it in turn.
2:46:06
Can you comment on that at all?
Daniel Garodnick
2:46:08
Well, first of all, I think it's important to note that this is not a mandate on anybody.
2:46:14
We are not requiring anybody to do anything with their own property.
2:46:17
So if this is something that is beneficial to a homeowner and they wish to add 800 square feet, either an attic or garage or basement to the extent that city and state laws comply, We want to create that as an opportunity.
2:46:31
As for whether it has the opportunity to raise a property value for the chance to do it, Well, it it could potentially do that.
2:46:45
That would work obviously to the benefit of somebody selling their home.
2:46:49
So any homeowners in your district who would like to see their property value increased.
2:46:54
That is, you know, potentially something that could happen because you're giving them more flexibility on their own lot.
2:47:01
We don't think that it meaningfully runs at cross purposes because the purpose here is to create more units.
