Linn County considers expanding ADU allowances to rural residential areas – KMTR

Linn County Proposal on Accessory Dwelling Units and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A report on the Linn County Board of Commissioners’ consideration of a Code Text Amendment to permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in designated rural zones. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by aiming to increase the availability of safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. The proposal also aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through its provisions for diverse housing, economic opportunity, and environmental protection.

Proposal Overview and Procedural Status

On October 28, Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger, and Will Tucker reviewed a proposed amendment to allow ADUs in Urban Growth Area-Rural Residential and Rural Residential zoning districts. The proposal, previously approved by the Planning Commission on October 14, seeks to expand housing options within the county. The public hearing record remains open for written comment until November 3, with the hearing scheduled to resume on November 4. This reflects a commitment to participatory and inclusive planning as outlined in SDG 11.

Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The proposed amendment is a significant step toward achieving sustainable community development by addressing key targets within SDG 11.

Target 11.1: Access to Affordable and Adequate Housing

• The policy directly increases the housing stock by allowing for the construction of new, smaller-footprint dwellings on existing residential properties.
• By permitting long-term rentals, the amendment provides a pathway to more affordable housing options for residents, contributing to housing security.
• It diversifies housing types, accommodating multigenerational families and individuals at various income levels.

Target 11.3: Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization

• The proposal promotes gentle density in rural residential areas, utilizing existing infrastructure such as roads, water, and septic systems more efficiently.
• This form of infill development reduces pressure for outward expansion, helping to manage rural land use sustainably.

Target 11.4: Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage

• A specific provision allows for the adaptive reuse of historic homes (built 1850-1945) as ADUs.
• This measure incentivizes the preservation and maintenance of cultural heritage assets within the community, directly supporting Target 11.4.

Contributions to Additional Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Allowing homeowners to build and rent ADUs can create a new source of stable, long-term income, enhancing economic resilience. It also provides more accessible housing options for various demographics, including the elderly and young adults.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The amendment mandates adherence to environmental protection standards, including density limitations in special habitat zones, ensuring that new development does not compromise local ecosystems.

Key Provisions and Requirements of the Proposed Amendment

To ensure development is sustainable and well-managed, the proposal outlines specific criteria for ADUs.

1. Size and Placement: An ADU may not exceed 900 square feet and must be located within 100 feet of the primary residence.
2. Lot Size: The property must be a minimum of two acres.
3. Infrastructure: The property must demonstrate adequate capacity for water supply, septic waste, road access, and emergency services.
4. Land Use: ADUs cannot be used for short-term rentals, and the property cannot be subdivided to separate the ADU from the primary home.
5. Types: ADUs can be attached to, converted from a part of, or detached from the main structure.

Special Provisions for Historic Structures

• Historic homes constructed between 1850 and 1945 in the Rural Residential Zone may qualify as ADUs.
• These structures are exempt from the 900-square-foot size limit but cannot be altered to exceed 120 percent of their original square footage.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses a local government’s proposal to amend zoning codes to allow for the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This initiative directly connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is the most prominent SDG related to the article. The core issue is about housing policy and land use management within a county’s rural and urban growth areas. The proposal to allow ADUs is a strategy for urban and rural planning aimed at increasing housing options and promoting denser, more efficient use of residential land, which are central themes of SDG 11.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the focus of the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

  The entire proposal is about creating a new category of legal, permissible housing (ADUs). By allowing homeowners to build smaller, secondary units on their property, the county is taking a direct step to increase the housing supply. The article notes that “long-term rentals are permitted,” which suggests these units are intended to provide more housing options for the community, contributing to the goal of ensuring access to adequate and potentially more affordable housing.

• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

  The article details a formal government process for changing land use policy. It describes the roles of the Linn County Commissioners, Associate Planners, and the Planning Commission. The process includes a Public Hearing, a period for written public comments (“Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3”), and scheduled meetings for deliberation. This demonstrates a participatory and integrated approach to human settlement planning, which is the focus of Target 11.3.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains information that can be used as or implies specific indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator for Target 11.1: Number of new housing units constructed.

  While not a formal SDG indicator, a direct way to measure progress towards providing more housing is to count the number of new units created. The article provides a baseline data point by stating that since a similar policy was enacted in Urban Growth Boundary areas in 2018, “none have been constructed.” The success of this new, broader proposal could be measured by tracking the number of ADU permits issued and units constructed in the newly zoned areas (Urban Growth Area-Rural Residential and Rural Residential zoning districts).

• Indicator for Target 11.3 (related to Indicator 11.3.2: Proportion of cities with a direct participation structure of civil society in urban planning and management that operate regularly and democratically).

  The article provides direct evidence of a participatory planning structure. The mention of a “Public Hearing,” the fact that the “record [is] open for a week” for “Written comments,” and the scheduled public meetings of the commissioners (“The commissioners will resume the Public Hearing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4”) are all tangible examples of a system for public participation in planning and management. The existence and functioning of this process itself serves as an indicator of progress towards Target 11.3.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbc16.com