Board of Aldermen — 8/8/17 Page 17
amend this in the next five years to come up with something that’s a little more restricted or a little more
defined. If not, | can’t support this.
President McCarthy
Well let me address that in two points backwards. If we don’t do this, then a complete free for all happens
instead because anybody can put an accessory dwelling unit on that is larger and there is no restriction that
requires them to live in the house at all. Basically anybody can convert one of our single family homes into a
two family rental property as soon as the ordinance takes effect. To go back to it, yes we can put a restriction
on it if accessory dwelling units are added. In the meantime, they will likely only be subject to the five year
restriction that’s in this ordinance because they’d be grandfathered in that regard. It is my intention to try to
readdress that problem after we have done something to put a logical framework in place to do it with the
accessory dwelling unit legislation.
Alderman Schoneman
Just one other question and again maybe the answer is obvious. Does our ability to restrict through legislation
like this extend to our ability to say no we don’t them at all?
President McCarthy
No it does not.
Alderman Wilshire
| agree. | think I’m going to support this just because it gives us at least the five years but I’m hoping we
continue to look at this and make changes because | think this is really going to explode. | think people are
already looking at it. Already looking to add these accessory dwelling units to their properties and | think there
will be quite a few.
Attorney Bolton
At the risk of turning this into a planning committee meeting, one possible alternative that might deal with the
concerns you express is that if the owner is not living there to require one of the units to remain vacant. Then if
you have someone die either within a five year period if you’re going to include that five year period or
whenever, the people who inherit can just leave that unit vacant until they’re able to sell to someone who can
meet the restrictions.
Alderman Deane
That’s a wonderful amendment. | could always look at that this was going to be the sticking points.
Alderman Deane
Would it be possible Mr. President to make that amendment?
President McCarthy
We could. It will take a while to do it. | would actually prefer to introduce it as a new piece of legislation at our
next meeting.
Alderman Deane
| will co-sponsor that.
