RCAC votes to support backyard cottages on an opt-in basis but not to require opt-in for ADUs - RCAC

17 Dec 2012

Dear Mayor McFarlane and Councilors,
The Raleigh Citizens Advisory Council has passed the following resolution
on a vote of 7 to 3, with one abstention:
Backyard cottages are appropriate and desired in some neighborhoods but not
...
  others. Many subdivisions and have restrictive
covenants that will forbid
 these units, even if they are allowed by the proposed Unified Development
 Ordinance. But many older neighborhoods do not have such covenants. Making
 these units possible on an opt-in basis will allow the neighborhoods to
 define other requirements appropriate to their neighborhood's context. We
 ask the Comprehensive Planning Committee to recommend and the City Council
 to adopt these dwelling units on an opt-in basis, with a process that
 includes all area residents, including property owners and renters.This
 will help ensure we have the right rules in the right places.

This amendment failed 6 to 4, with one abstention:
Backyard cottages AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS are appropriate ...
...

We had a great deal of discussion on this topic, especially at our retreat
in October. Thanks to Ken Bowers and Greg Hallam for their presentation and
assistance on helping us understand this topic. I hope you will use this
input to help us get the right rules in the right places at the right time.
... Linda Watson
Chair, Glenwood CAC