Also Known as, “The Apartment Over the Garage”
“A push began Friday to eliminate zoning rules that bar single-family homeowners from building an additional unit on their property, sometimes known as a “granny flat.”
So-called accessory dwelling units are illegal in Minneapolis‘ single-family residential zones, outside of an area around Ventura Village established in 2001. Advocates say they are a more affordable addition to the city’s housing stock, potentially accommodating extended families or more traditional renters.”
–“Minneapolis City Council to Weigh Allowing Granny Flats“; Star Tribune (June 13, 2014)
I don’t imagine that there are many grandmothers living in so-called “granny flats”: for one thing, they usually have a flight of stairs that limit accessibility.
But, whatever you call these satellite housing units . . . I’m all for them, at least in the (higher-density) city, when they conform to thoughtful buildings codes and safety precautions.
Portland’s Example
I’ll leave the details for later, but in a nutshell, the overarching goal should be to OK granny flats that enhance rather than detract value from the immediate block and neighborhood.
That certainly seems to be the case so far in cities like Portland, where granny flats often feature high-end construction, incorporate energy-efficient heating and cooling, and — surprise, surprise — are aesthetically appealing (if not architecturally interesting).
So, yes, Minneapolis, let’s give people a “green light” to make such improvements to their properties, and fine-tune oversight as we go.
P.S.: While higher density can be a mixed bag, lots of good things come with it, too.
Like, brand new light rail lines (the Green line connecting downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul just opened last weekend).
