Construction happens everyday to residential properties without the opportunity for comment by neighbors. In Linden Hills, an entire home is being built without any approval or discussion with the surrounding homeowners.
I called earlier this evening and left a message to express support for approving these amendments to make it more possible to build ADUs. Our objective is to build an ADU on our land for our elderly father to reside. He has had a stroke and needs some care, and other options such as assisted living facilities are not affordable, and an ADU on our property would be a better quality of life for him, and much easier for us to take better care of him. We've spoken to neighbors in the Linden Hills neighborhood who have also expressed similar situations and desires to have multiple generations of family living in close proximity with ease of care.
Thank you for your consideration.
Andrew Wright and Elizabeth Pierce
Linden Hills neighborhood.
Good evening. I do not support passing the ADU proposal at this time. Currently, someone is still able to build an in law suite or apartment, which must meet planning standards. Most important, there are many factors that need to be considered FIRST: historic overlay of existing neighborhoods to protect the unique character of each; current limited code enforcement procedures and personnel; rental licensing control of existing rental properties as well as future ADUs; potential car, water, and sewage issues. The suggestion from the workshop that it be passed now and the city would figure out problems later is not a responsible plan. Thank you!
I write this comment to express my support for the proposed ordinance that would permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on owner-occupied properties as a matter of right. I have owned a home in Frederick near Baker Park for approximately six years. I believe that formalizing ADU construction in Frederick will make housing in Frederick more affordable and enhance neighborhood diversity.
There is a serious affordable housing problem in our city and across the country. Encouraging ADU construction is one of many strategies that will move Frederick closer to its affordable housing goals. ADUs are virtually guaranteed to be affordable for tenants: data shows that homeowners often build rent-free ADUs for their family members, while others charge lower than average rents. Furthermore, permitting ADU construction is a relatively low-cost solution to our affordable housing problem, as it organically increases the housing stock without using up additional land and without the potential drawbacks of large scale commercial development.
Permitting ADUs as a matter of right will give low and middle income folks an opportunity to live in Frederick’s high-rent neighborhoods. This will enhance the economic diversity of our neighborhoods. I know there are some who say that ADUs could negatively impact “neighborhood character.” But it seems there are several safeguards in the proposed ordinance that mitigate these concerns. For example, under the ordinance, a homeowner must live on the property in order to have an ADU on it, making it impossible for commercial developers to swoop in. Also, the ordinance only permits one ADU per property, and the ADU must meet certain requirements to ensure it blends in with the architectural style of the neighborhood. More broadly, I think that forming a more diverse and inclusive community actually enhances neighborhood character, and it is in the interest of every Frederick resident to ensure that we all have a place to live.
I have worked and lived in Frederick for most of my adult life and I’m proud to call it home. I want others to have the opportunity to call Frederick home too. Liberalizing ADU construction is not only socially and economically beneficial, but it is also the right thing to do.
Malcolm Furgol, Frederick, MD. Good evening Mayor O'Connor and Board of Alderman, As a member of the Frederick County Affordable Housing Council and as a private resident of the city of Frederick, I am writing in support of the ordinance to amend Sections 301, 404, 801, 802, 803 and 1002 of the Land Management Code (LMC) as they relate to the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Accessory Dwelling Units help create more diverse housing options for seniors aging in place, for students returning from college who haven't yet gotten themselves established, for our general workforce and for those who are ALICE. They are not a panacea for meeting the increasing need for more affordable housing options, but they do provide one more tool in the tool box and they don't cost taxpayers additional taxes.
I commend the city's staff for their many months of working on this ordinance to make it a good ordinance and I especially commend Alderman Shackelford for shepherding this through. I strongly encourage you to pass this ordinance.
Construction happens everyday to residential properties without the opportunity for comment by neighbors. In Linden Hills, an entire home is being built without any approval or discussion with the surrounding homeowners.
Thank you
I called earlier this evening and left a message to express support for approving these amendments to make it more possible to build ADUs. Our objective is to build an ADU on our land for our elderly father to reside. He has had a stroke and needs some care, and other options such as assisted living facilities are not affordable, and an ADU on our property would be a better quality of life for him, and much easier for us to take better care of him. We've spoken to neighbors in the Linden Hills neighborhood who have also expressed similar situations and desires to have multiple generations of family living in close proximity with ease of care.
Thank you for your consideration.
Andrew Wright and Elizabeth Pierce
Linden Hills neighborhood.
Connie Pryor
Frederick, MD
Good evening. I do not support passing the ADU proposal at this time. Currently, someone is still able to build an in law suite or apartment, which must meet planning standards. Most important, there are many factors that need to be considered FIRST: historic overlay of existing neighborhoods to protect the unique character of each; current limited code enforcement procedures and personnel; rental licensing control of existing rental properties as well as future ADUs; potential car, water, and sewage issues. The suggestion from the workshop that it be passed now and the city would figure out problems later is not a responsible plan. Thank you!
Scott Rose
Frederick, MD
I write this comment to express my support for the proposed ordinance that would permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on owner-occupied properties as a matter of right. I have owned a home in Frederick near Baker Park for approximately six years. I believe that formalizing ADU construction in Frederick will make housing in Frederick more affordable and enhance neighborhood diversity.
There is a serious affordable housing problem in our city and across the country. Encouraging ADU construction is one of many strategies that will move Frederick closer to its affordable housing goals. ADUs are virtually guaranteed to be affordable for tenants: data shows that homeowners often build rent-free ADUs for their family members, while others charge lower than average rents. Furthermore, permitting ADU construction is a relatively low-cost solution to our affordable housing problem, as it organically increases the housing stock without using up additional land and without the potential drawbacks of large scale commercial development.
Permitting ADUs as a matter of right will give low and middle income folks an opportunity to live in Frederick’s high-rent neighborhoods. This will enhance the economic diversity of our neighborhoods. I know there are some who say that ADUs could negatively impact “neighborhood character.” But it seems there are several safeguards in the proposed ordinance that mitigate these concerns. For example, under the ordinance, a homeowner must live on the property in order to have an ADU on it, making it impossible for commercial developers to swoop in. Also, the ordinance only permits one ADU per property, and the ADU must meet certain requirements to ensure it blends in with the architectural style of the neighborhood. More broadly, I think that forming a more diverse and inclusive community actually enhances neighborhood character, and it is in the interest of every Frederick resident to ensure that we all have a place to live.
I have worked and lived in Frederick for most of my adult life and I’m proud to call it home. I want others to have the opportunity to call Frederick home too. Liberalizing ADU construction is not only socially and economically beneficial, but it is also the right thing to do.
Malcolm Furgol, Frederick, MD. Good evening Mayor O'Connor and Board of Alderman, As a member of the Frederick County Affordable Housing Council and as a private resident of the city of Frederick, I am writing in support of the ordinance to amend Sections 301, 404, 801, 802, 803 and 1002 of the Land Management Code (LMC) as they relate to the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Accessory Dwelling Units help create more diverse housing options for seniors aging in place, for students returning from college who haven't yet gotten themselves established, for our general workforce and for those who are ALICE. They are not a panacea for meeting the increasing need for more affordable housing options, but they do provide one more tool in the tool box and they don't cost taxpayers additional taxes.
I commend the city's staff for their many months of working on this ordinance to make it a good ordinance and I especially commend Alderman Shackelford for shepherding this through. I strongly encourage you to pass this ordinance.
Sincerely, Malcolm