No Council consensus for ‘accessory’ housing
Without a Cape Coral City Council consensus, the city will not move forward with drafting language to allow accessory dwelling units in the Cape.
It wasn’t for lack of trying on the part of one member of Council, though.
“I was the one a year ago who recommended to keep it in the plan to talk about it,” Councilmember Bill Steinke said. “I have seen and heard we need more affordable housing. We have always talked about it — no action taken on it. The only thing that tends to be the solution is to have a multi-family unit incentive for lower rents. Everyone in the city doesn’t want multi-family units. There has to be more solutions.”
He said with people living longer, kids staying home longer there is more of a multi-generational requirement — separation, but still close by to take care of others.
“Taxes have gone up, utilities and eggs and gas have gone up,” Steinke said. “The affordability of their own home to live in becomes less affordable.”
An ADU becomes another source of income to allow them to stay in their home and make it more affordable, he said.
“How do we find out how we can use this as a component part for affordable housing in our area that needs the housing — need the support and additional source of income to stay in the home they currently reside in?” Steinke said.
The staff presentation at Council’s Wednesday workshop defined ADUs as housing that is not portable:
Recreational Vehicles are not ADUs; “tiny homes” on trailers are not ADUs nor are tiny homes on trailers with skirts to hide the wheels.
“Accessory dwelling unit” means an ancillary or secondary living unit, that has a separate kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, existing either within the same structure, or on the same lot, as the primary dwelling unit,” the staff presentation said, citing state statutes.
“They are also referred to as granny flats, garage apartments, carriage houses, and ancillary units,” the presentation states, adding that Recognizing the shortage of affordable rentals within the state of Florida, the Legislature encourages local governments to adopt ordinances to authorize the construction of accessory dwelling units.
Councilmember Dan Sheppard agreed that having accessory dwelling units could be an asset to the city. He said there are certain features that come with high-end build outs, which could be an ADU. He said he does not believe it is a fit for the average Cape Coral home, but could be a magnet for high-end build out with more high end gated communities.
Others said it would be hard to enforce, and density would be a big factor.
“I don’t know if this is the answer for affordable housing,” Councilmember Richard Carr said. “The impact on the neighborhood would be more negative than positive.”
With one member of Council — Councilmember Tom Hayden — out, there was not enough consensus votes to move forward.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com