Centennial Housing Study
In 2021, the Colorado Legislature passed House Bill 21-1271 to encourage local governments to look at 14 strategies intended to promote affordable housing development. Affordable housing developments are not “one-size-fits-all.” They actually exist in a variety of shapes, sizes, structures, and income levels, so a 15th strategy was created to allow local governments to propose their own ideas and innovative strategies not included in the bill. A conversation with Centennial City Council identified seven (7) of the bill’s proposed strategies and two (2) innovative strategies that Centennial should explore further. These include some of the public’s inquiries and requests (such as potentially allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or requiring developers to include affordable housing) and some that are less commonly in the public view.
The first strategy to be addressed is Accessory Dwelling Units
Strategy 101: Accessory Dwelling Units
One strategy included in Centennial NEXT to provide more housing opportunities is to explore the allowance for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within residential areas, subject to operation and design guidelines that respect the context of the City’s various neighborhoods. For a list of all strategies that will be reviewed as part of this project, visit centennialco.gov/housing. A strategy being included in this outreach DOES NOT mean the City has decided to move forward with the strategy. It DOES mean we want your input to determine if the strategy is right for Centennial.
What is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)? Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are small secondary residential structures located behind the primary house or within an existing house. They are commonly known as “granny flats,” “mother-in-law apartments,” “alley houses,” “secondary dwellings,” or “carriage houses.”
The Housing Study Working Group has identified ADUs as one of the first strategies they would like to evaluate further as part of this process. As the City begins a discussion about how to implement this strategy, we want your feedback on the various types of ADUs including where they would fit in Centennial and design considerations.
Aren’t there different types of ADUs?
Yes! While many people think of ADUs as a unit above a detached garage, there are several other possible configurations:
What types of tools could Centennial use to ensure ADUs “fit” the surrounding neighborhood?
Regulations for ADUs typically address these and other site and building design considerations and use
- Minimum lot size requirements
- Maximum height limitations
- Maximum size limitations
- Minimum private open space
- Minimum off-street parking requirements
- Separate entrance requirements
- Maximum occupancy limitations
Tell us here.
###
|