Monte Sereno approves plan for 225 new ‘granny units’

SANTA CLARA COUNTY – The town of Monte Sereno has appear up with a imaginative, if controversial, plan to satisfy the state’s need for the design of new housing.

That system leans greatly on the construction of up to 225 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) which are generally regarded as “Granny Models” around the subsequent 8 a long time.

“ADUs are a way to insert to the housing inventory and a way to generate a lot more affordable housing,” reported metropolis councilman Shawn Leuthold.

The metropolis council accepted a strategy that would incentivize citizens to build ADUs by cutting allow charges in 50 percent as a result of December 1.

The city’s prepare is an substitute to proposals to create housing of greater density in one of the Bay Area’s most affluent communities. Some neighbors continue being skeptical that the system will put significantly of a dent in the reasonably priced housing disaster, in particular if the units are utilized mainly by grownup kids or aging moms and dads of the present house owners.

“If it’s all ADUs, I really don’t feel it is heading to clear up the situation honestly. That’s just my personal impression. We are desperate for cost-effective housing — for instructors, for company personnel and range,” claimed house owner Cindy Fox.

Councilman Leuthold argues that individuals should not be so rapid to dismiss the benefits of the so-known as granny units to whoever ends up residing in them.

“People persons will be residing in an reasonably priced property — not using up yet another house. And the housing inventory has in fact elevated,” he claimed.

Some housing advocates expressed misgivings, expressing that it feels like the metropolis is adhering to the letter but not the spirit of the regulation.

“Any person who gets assists by dwelling in a granny device in the back again, that is wonderful. Is that what the first intent was? No. It was to prevent possessing particularly rich persons dwelling in special communities and not accomplishing their portion,” said homeless advocate Pastor Scott Wagers.