Double Trouble
Keep Austin Affordable
RECEIVED Mon., June 15, 2015
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express disappointment in the Chronicle's coverage of Accessory Dwelling Units (aka garage apartments, granny flats) at the Planning and Neighborhoods Committee ["Public Notice: Planning Is Doing," News, June 12]. Specifically, the misrepresentation of AURA and other proponents of ADUs. I’m one of those "new urban" AURA members who testified, a 27-year-old renter who has lived in Austin for almost 20 years. I have no association with RECA or any other real estate group. I support ADUs because they can help with affordability. To utilize the full potential of ADUs we need to ease the rules mandating excessive minimum lot size, parking, and setback requirements.
ADUs are great on many fronts: For struggling homeowners who can use the rental income to offset property taxes. For renters looking for a relatively affordable place to live. For families looking to create extra space for children or elderly parents without having to tear down their old home to build a bigger one. For neighborhoods where ADUs can help prevent old homes from being torn down. And on a city level, for traffic and the environment, because they help prevent urban sprawl.
The Chronicle bills itself as a progressive paper. If it is truly progressive, it should enthusiastically support ADUs and more housing in general so that Austin, and especially Central Austin, is accessible to the working and middle class. We are facing an affordability crisis, and a failure to address the housing shortage quickly and aggressively will result in Austin increasingly being accessible only to the wealthy.
I am writing to express disappointment in the Chronicle's coverage of Accessory Dwelling Units (aka garage apartments, granny flats) at the Planning and Neighborhoods Committee ["Public Notice: Planning Is Doing," News, June 12]. Specifically, the misrepresentation of AURA and other proponents of ADUs. I’m one of those "new urban" AURA members who testified, a 27-year-old renter who has lived in Austin for almost 20 years. I have no association with RECA or any other real estate group. I support ADUs because they can help with affordability. To utilize the full potential of ADUs we need to ease the rules mandating excessive minimum lot size, parking, and setback requirements.
ADUs are great on many fronts: For struggling homeowners who can use the rental income to offset property taxes. For renters looking for a relatively affordable place to live. For families looking to create extra space for children or elderly parents without having to tear down their old home to build a bigger one. For neighborhoods where ADUs can help prevent old homes from being torn down. And on a city level, for traffic and the environment, because they help prevent urban sprawl.
The Chronicle bills itself as a progressive paper. If it is truly progressive, it should enthusiastically support ADUs and more housing in general so that Austin, and especially Central Austin, is accessible to the working and middle class. We are facing an affordability crisis, and a failure to address the housing shortage quickly and aggressively will result in Austin increasingly being accessible only to the wealthy.
Timothy Bray
Nick Barbaro responds: I do support ADUs. Fortunately, all of the wonderful ADU uses that Mr. Bray envisions are, in fact, already allowed under current regulations, and will be made simpler and less expensive in a number of ways (such as reduced and/or eliminated entrance, setback, and driveway requirements) under the new proposed regulations which the Planning Commission has forwarded to City Council for approval.