Pasadena is revising its zoning regulations to accommodate more accessory dwelling units. This open letter to the city's Planning Commission includes sound suggestions, applicable everywhere.
Accessory dwelling units (ADU) can be a big part of the solution to California's housing crisis. They incrementally increase housing supply. They also increase density, utilize existing infrastructure, and are not as likely as new multi-family residential projects to trigger massive community resistance. However, Pasadena's existing ADU ordinance did more to prevent than facilitate the orderly construction of ADUs. Recent changes in state law brought on by AB 2299 and SB 1069 are intended to alleviate the housing crisis in California by making it easier to build ADUs. Accordingly, Pasadena has started the process of revising its obsolete ADU ordinance. Planner and resident Jonathan Bell was a critic of the first draft of the revised ordinance, which he said was full of "poison pills" having the practical effect of severely limiting ADU construction - and making it expensive. He did so in an open letter. Now a more refined draft is before the city. In another open letter, Bell acknowledges the improvements but says there is still work to be done on the revisions. The letter identifies principles that have far wider applicability than just in Pasadena, including:
- Don't limit ADUs to houses on big lots: Not only does it cut down on the number of eligible lots, but also on the middle class property owners most motivated to build ADUs.
- Allow ADUs in a number of zoning designation areas to increase the number of ADUs.
- Allow ADUs in historic districts.
- Don't encumber ADU's with requirements meant to hide their existence.
- Facilitate garage-over ADU's, including reasonable height restrictions.
- Allow ADU square footages sufficient to accommodate families.
- Waive residential impact fees for ADUs
Bell concludes by reminding the Pasadena Planning Commission that restrictions that make it too difficult to build ADUs result in ADUs that are built "informally," i.e., without permits. He cites both the high number of "informal" dwelling units in Los Angeles County, as well as the many disadvantages of an unknown quantity of "informal" dwelling units. Utmost among these disadvantages: housing that does not meet safety requirements. Bell warns:
The Ghost Ship fire in Oakland and Aviles Family tragedy in Long Beach are vivid reminders of the dangerous consequences of unpermitted housing.
For Bell's full open letter, see the source article.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont