ADUs and Middle Housing
City Council Votes for New Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Ordinance
The City Council Voted to accept all ADU Ordinance amendments, including:
- Increasing the height of walls allowed five feet from adjacent property from 8 feet to 15 feet, and the overall height from 18 to 25 feet, allowing two-story buildings.
- Increasing the wall height five feet from adjacent property for ADUs on sloped lots & over garages to 22 feet
- Exempting ADUs from needing to screen trash receptacles
- Exempting ADUs from having to provide articulation in walls longer than 25 feet
- Eliminating sloped setback restrictions from ADUs adjacent to alleys/streets
None of these amendments was needed to satisfy SB1051 or the three appeals associated with this project—but will have the negative impact of loss of privacy, greenspace, and livability.
An appeal is expected to be filed October 4, 2021.
For more information, read the city’s planning newsletter.
Middle Housing: Beyond HB2001
Eugene Realtors recently sent out a flyer describing HB2001 as saying it “will begin to provide more housing options that are truly affordable for our neighbors.”However, SUNA’s Subcommittee on Land Use has found no evidence that the proposals from the city’s planning staff will result in more affordable housing.The City’s proposals will encourage the removal of many affordable homes—displacing low income residents and replacing the affordable homes with market-rate housing. The City’s proposals place no limit on the size of units (to keep rooms affordable) and no criteria for affordability or the use of property for short term rentals. There is no inclusionary zoning that would require a certain amount of affordable housing in new developments. Neighbors should also know that Eugene City planners are going well beyond HB2001 state requirements; as stated in the planning newsletter, they will “Pursue incentives and programs beyond the code.” They will, for example, add an additional five feet of the height to buildings, allowing three stories in all residential areas.
The image below illustrates the maximum development potential allowed by Eugene city planners: a three-story, 9,000 square foot quadplex that would be allowed on a minimum residential lot of 4,500 square feet. This example could have 16 to 20 bedrooms and add 10-20 vehicles to the street—with no requirement for affordable units. Two modest houses (on same-sized lots) are shown next to it for perspective.
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What is needed is affordable, subsidized housing that will truly offer lower rents—not proposals that incentivize developers and investors to increase market rate rentals at the cost of smaller, affordable homes. There will be a public hearing by the Planning Commission on October 26 and another by the City Council in January.
Share your opinion by emailing the planning commission by October 18.
Email the Mayor and City Council, including Councilor Zelenka, at MayorCouncilandCityManager@ci.eugene.or.us
Implementation of HB2001 has been set by the state for July 1, 2022.