After hearing from vocal opposition, the Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to withdraw a proposed code amendment that would allow for small homes in residential backyards.
The 5-0 vote also included withdrawing other proposed changes that would expand the definition of a family for single-family residential zoning purposes and increase the number of cars allowed to park in a single-family property from four to five.
For nearly 90 minutes, most citizens speaking at a public hearing Tuesday urged commissioners not to allow accessory dwelling units (ADU), which they said would increase density, traffic and safety issues.
The code amendments would have allowed a second dwelling unit on a residential property, either attached to or detached from the primary residence, and that was hooked up to the main home’s utilities.
The ADUs could not be rented out under the county’s recently updated short-term rental code, and the pr0perty owner must reside in either of the dwellings, according to the proposal, which was drafted at the behest of Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid to address affordable housing issues.
But after the Cobb Planning Commission panned the proposal last week at the first public hearing on the issue, citizens from across the county showed up Tuesday in even greater numbers.
One of them is Dan Larkin, a real estate agent who lives in the Meadowbrook neighborhood off Powers Ferry Road.
Wearing a signboard that said “Vote No SHACKS in the BACK,” he said that the ADU proposal would be “ruining our quality of life in Cobb.
Larkin also said that “tiny houses may look cute but they’re not very livable.”
Others opposed to ADUs questioned the timing of the proposal, right after an election, while some said the proposed code changes were being rushed through and were not well thought-out.
Some brought signs that said “ADU = Adulterating Cobb.”
Richard Grome and Jill Flamm of the East Cobb Civic Association repeated concerns they expressed at the Planning Commission hearing that allowing ADUs could result in a “cascade effect” of “spot zoning.”
Many wanted commissioners to delay the ADU other zoning amendments to get more feedback from citizens at town halls and through other means.
One who spoke out in favor of ADUs, Matt Stigall of North Cobb, accused his fellow citizens of being motivated by fear.
“What’s being proposed here is super restrictive,” he said, adding that the county’s current zoning code has resulted in a “systemic segregation” of affordable housing supply.
He said opposition has been “fear-mongering about how to control the county. . . . Fear of change. Fear of other people.”
Cupid engaged in lengthy remarks to defend measures to address affordable housing, and the timing of the proposals now.
“I asked [county staff] for what would be the lowest-hanging fruit that could be considered?”she said. “We’re not building the supply [of affordable housing] and there is great demand.”
She acknowledged the need to “step back” and gather more information and public response, but said that citizens who are struggling to afford housing don’t have a lot of time.
While Cupid said she’s “amenable” to having further dialogue, “I’m not amenable to us not not addressing this issue constructively.”
Commissioner Keli Gambrill of North Cobb said commissioners currently and in the past have contributed to the issue by zoning primarily for bigger homes, hollowing out the middle-size home market.
The average home sale price in Cobb is approaching $500,000.
“Developers know they can get 4,500 square feet and sell,” she said. “They don’t care” about affordability. “We’re going to have to start pushing back against the developers.”
Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of East Cobb reiterated her opposition to ADUs, saying that the current code allows for in-law suites without having go through zoning.
She’s also skeptical that ADUs will address the cost of housing.
“How do you know if an ADU is going to be affordable?” she asked.
While the ADUs and other zoning proposals are on hold, a number of other code amendments will be subject to another public hearing and scheduled vote on Nov. 21.
Related:
- Cobb Planning Commission pans ADU plan in 5-0 vote
- Birrell calls accessory dwelling units proposal ‘a bad idea’
- Cobb proposes ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units
- Richardson pens note to constituents of ‘old District 2’
- Richardson to appeal declaration of vacancy
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Yes.there needs to be some push back with developers.they could make just as much money in less sized and costly homes but build more. My first house was 1400 square feet on a decent sized lot. But I could almost shake hands with my neighbor out the side window. Build more like that for the masses. And… not everyone is meant or be a home owner!
Smyrna is out of control with all the building going on. We don’t want to be the next crime filled Atlanta. I wish we never got that stadium. Smyrna 9 years ago was the best secret around!
Gambrill nailed it……homes are huge these days. And they don’t need to be. Also, every home does not need hardwood floors and fancy counters. Start building 1600 sq ft homes, put in carpet and simple counter tops. Yards should be simple. Let the homeowners upgrade with ‘sweat equity” and put in the upgrades and design their own yards~