Not forcing "style-matching" are among the recommendations for a good accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy
In an effort to densify and address affordable housing, cities make several key mistakes when it comes to "granny flats," according to CityLab. Vancouver-based writer and architect Bryn Davidson cites that city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy as a successful model in a number of ways, including design, parking and approvals.
Five important recommendations include: implement ADU policy citywide rather than a neighborhood pilot project, don't burden the policy with caveats based on the existing unit on-site, don't solicit feedback from neighbors, don't let parking requirements overwhelm the policy, and don't force "style-matching."
Davidson concludes by writing:
"As for what’s next: we need to start talking about how our pleasant, tree-lined, single-family neighborhoods can evolve into pleasant, tree-lined multifamily neighborhoods."
Vancouver's ADU policy is arguably a big success, with more than 2,000 units built across the city since 2010.
Read the full story: How Cities Get 'Granny Flats' Wrong
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They're a good start. But compared to similar policies in cities like Portland and Vancouver, Seattle's new policies around accessory dwelling units may be lackluster.
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