ADUs have been approved for Lane county in Rural Residential Zones
On August 1st, the Lane County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the topic of allowing rural residential homeowners to build accessory dwelling units on their property. The purpose of this bill amendment was to find a solution for providing additional housing opportunities on rural lands and to encourage the preservation of historic housing stock. More about ADU Senate Bills specifically for Lane County can be found under the Lane County Board of Agendas under “August 2023”.
The change now allows for residential units to be built on existing properties that are 2 acres or more as long as the unit is under 900 square feet and within 100 feet of an existing single-family home, among other criteria.
For family-run farms, this is a substantial benefit.
Amber Lippert, owner of Camas Swale Farm in Coburg, says “If we could subsidize housing a little bit and have someone here that would mean a lot to us. So, we’d make that more affordable for them than renting a room in a house.”
Lippert says she could offer housing on her farm currently, but the options would be limited to yurts, tents and other, less-than-ideal options.
With the allowance of ADUs, options would be more appealing, as would the job.
ADUs provide additional housing options without the need for major new developments or infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial in rural areas where housing shortages may exist due to limited construction and development. They can offer more affordable housing options, as they tend to be smaller and require less land and construction costs compared to traditional single-family homes. This can help address affordability challenges that many rural residents may face.
Source: KVAL