Birrell calls accessory dwelling units proposal ‘a bad idea’

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Cobb commissioners on Tuesday heard about proposed code changes regarding secondary housing units on residential properties.

At a work session, Cobb officials presented language that would create accessory dwelling units (or ADUs) that could be built in a residential backyard (you can read the proposal here).

The small units—of up to 850 square feet, with a limi of one unit per lot—are seen as a way to provide more affordable housing.

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said that ADUs wouldn’t be a “panacea,” but what’s been proposed, she added, “are lower-bar considerations for addressing housing affordability in Cobb County.”

The proposed code changes also would alter the definition of a family, permitting up to three unrelated adults (the current limit is two) and up to six children.

The proposed Cobb ordinance would require an ADU to be permanently structured and hooked up to utilities serving the primary home. It could be detached, but it must be in a backyard area only.

The property owner also must live on the premises and the smaller unit could not be used as a short-term rental. An ADU must meet existing setback and impervious surface limits

In addition, a homeowner wishing to add an ADU would have to obtain a special-land use permit from the county, according to a revision that went out to commissioners on Monday.

Another measure would increase the maximum parking for five cars (currently limited to four) in a driveway or garage and another vehicle off-street.

But Republican commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill questioned much of the language in the proposal as well as the the number of unrelated adults and vehicles on a single property.

They reflected concerns that the single-family nature of many areas of the county would be dramatically altered with ADUs.

The current code allows for such home renovations as in-law suites and converting basements into separate living units that must be permitted by the county.

The proposed code amendments are set for public hearings and possible approval in November, but Gambrill wants the county to hold off for “at least the next year” to allow homeowners associations the time to sort through how restrictive covenants may for such purposes be conflict with ADUs.

There also are issues over whether a property with an ADU would be able to claim a second homestead exemption from property taxes.

Birrell, whose District 3 in East Cobb is heavily single-family residential, called the proposal “a bad idea to do, period. We’ve been flooded with e-mails in opposition. I’m glad we’re having this discussion today but I think a lot of the perception may be wore than it is. I’m not supporting this. It doesn’t make sense.

“If somebody wants to add on to their home, they can do that now,” she said. “We get zonings all the time that are way too dense, have 10 variances, and they could still get approved.”

Gambrill, who represents District 1 in north and west Cobb, added that “a statistic was given to me that 85 percent of eligible properties for these ADUs” are in Districts 1 and 3.

Commissioner Jerica Richardson of East Cobb, who recently had a baby, was not present at the work session.

Commissioner Monique Sheffield of South Cobb said that “I appreciate that we’re having this conversation” and she also has heard from constituents concerned about the proposal.

“The belief is that we’re going to create rental units behind single-family residences,” she said. “This is not that. Hopefully the perception and the understanding will be different.”

Cupid said that “I understand the concerns but I don’t perceive the need to wait for a whole year to get some answers on some things.

“The way that people are living is changing, and housing affordability is changing,” she said. “This is one tool and I don’t know how robust of a tool this is compared to other tools.

“You keep several tools available because at some point in time one of them may be helpful for us wanting to fix something. The thing we’re trying to fix is providing places for people to reasonably live in our county.”

The hearings for the proposed code amendments are scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 12 and 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, with tentative approval scheduled for the 7 p.m. voting meeting on Nov. 21.

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8 thoughts on “Birrell calls accessory dwelling units proposal ‘a bad idea’”

  1. ADU’s are a bad idea with many potential unforeseen consequences. No one in Cobb County, as far as I can tell, has been advocating for ADU’s. No jurisdiction thinks they have been wonderful, solving affordability problems with low consequence to neighbors and neighborhoods. Cupid is at best duplicitous about her reasons for advocating them.

    Can we just end this waste of time and move on.

  2. The Commissioners work session yesterday exposed what a poorly conceived idea Lisa Cupid’s new ADU Affordable Housing proposal is.
    Sadly, Cupid is inept and in over her head.
    If she is not voted out of office and the Democrats remain in the majority on the Board, this will probably pass 3/2.

  3. Birrell is correct. Too bad Ms. Cupid does not realize that one way to make housing more affordable is to lower property taxes – that would be a good tool!

  4. Ms. Cupid has said this will help address the need for affordable housing. But she also said that isn’t the only reason. Unknown what other reasons may exist.
    I have been unable to determine how this helps address affordable housing. If the owner wants to accommodate family members, they can already do that. More likely is that some will see an opportunity to add a rental unit. If so, why would the owner not expect to get top dollar rent? oes the county plan to set prices?

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