(3/25) Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are quickly becoming a hot topic for municipalities across the Nation. Thurmont's Planning and Zoning Commission has had multiple meetings the last few months about the future of ADUs in Town, and each time the Commission makes slow progress towards a final ordinance.
Currently, Thurmont's Code allows ADUs as conversions (similar to renovating your garage into an apartment) and does not allow stand-alone dwellings. The Commission reviewed a draft ordinance, written by Town Planner Kelly Duty, based on the ordinances from other local municipalities that would allow stand-alone ADUs adherent to specific guidelines.
Last year, the Commission agreed on a couple of standards to follow what Duty incorporated into the draft; limiting ADU size to a max of 800 square feet, restricting the max height of the ADU, only one ADU per lot, the ADU must aesthetically match the existing dwelling, owner occupancy is required in at least one of the dwellings, at least one off-street parking spot available for the ADU, maintain tree retention on the property, notification of nearby neighbors of the intent to build an ADU, address how corner lots will handle ADUs, how utilities will be handled, building code requirements and how they would be implemented in an ADU. Staff also recommended zoning certificates be required for any ADU. This time the Commission reviewed setback limitations and minimum lot sizes, while also discussing yard location (front, rear and/or side) restrictions.
Chair Meredith Wivell told the Commission that the Town currently has the second highest poverty level in Frederick County at 47%, with Emmittsburg topping the charts at 55%. This is the primary reason for the Commission to discuss the potential of affordable ADUs in Town. However, with all the discussion affordability brings, the description of affordable housing is still elusive for most.
Wivell informed the Commission that Frederick County began a year-long assessment into the County’s need for affordable housing. She shared some current statistics from the study regarding a senior citizen and what they could afford. "For a senior with social security benefits, they projected a household income of $23,712," she said. "The Household Affordability Threshold [which is 30% of income] would be $593 a month. Zero rentals were in this price range and one for sale at the time they did this survey."
Resident Bryant Despeaux was at the meeting and expressed his dislike of the ADU Ordinance. Having been on the Planning and Zoning Commission before, he has seen the topic of ADU previously and dislikes the idea. "I don't think this is about making a place for an elderly parent or family member," he said. "Because, frankly, if I was concerned about their living situation, I wouldn't put them in a shed in my yard. I would make space for them in my home." He continued outlining multiple concerns over the size, position and eventual use of an ADU.
The Commission left the meeting with more questions than answers. Town staff was instructed to collect data on how other municipalities handle the aspects of lot sizes and setback measurements and permitting for the Members to review. The Members will continue reviewing the draft ordinance Duty provided in order to find common ground on what they each felt were the biggest concerns regarding the ADU Ordinance.
