After roundly rejecting a proposal to legalize granny flats in 2018, the city council is revising it and other zoning reform proposals that could increase the city’s affordable housing supply.
With the city short an estimated 21,000 affordable housing units, Reno leaders are reconsidering permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs), adopting ‘by-right’ approvals for some housing developments, and upzoning some districts as part of a package of recommendations aimed at increasing the housing supply.
As Ben Margiott reports for Fox Reno, “After a lengthy special meeting, the city council directed staff to move forward with drafting a granny flat ordinance and asked them to come back later this year with more specifics on other policies.” While some council members are skeptical of the proposals, others hope they can help meet growing housing needs.
According to consultant Shane Phillips, who prepared the recommendations, upzoning some residential neighborhoods “could involve allowing up to 30 units per acre on land previously zoned for up to 14 or 21 units per acre. Denser land which currently permits up to 30 units per acre, could be rezoned to allow up to 45 or 60 units.”
FULL STORY: Reno council debates allowing denser housing, revisits controversial effort to legalize granny flats
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