The first policy recommendation from the Department of Planning’s Tiny House Feasibility Study, also championed by Hall, allowing for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in areas zoned for duplexes passed City Council on Monday.
“Embracing the tiny house movement in Atlanta will help expand the diversity of our housing choices and provide more affordable housing options. We have gotten really good at building large single family homes and luxury apartments, and as a result the cost have living has gone up dramatically over the last several years,” said Councilman Hall. “Adding really high quality but small units is an important part of what we do to address our affordable housing issues.”
The population of Atlanta is expected to double between now and 2050, and the Feasibility Study concluded that incorporating this type of development can help preserve Atlanta’s neighborhoods.
“Accessory dwelling units have been a critical form of housing for cities for literally hundreds of years,” said Eric Kronberg of Kronberg Wall Architects. “It is highly encouraging to see the City of Atlanta take this step forward to reform its suburban-based zoning code toward something more inclusive for a city of its stature.”
This housing diversification has faced both zoning challenges as well as building code challenges. Some of Atlanta’s zoned residential areas have square footage minimums that would prevent them from being built at all. In other situations, it may be appropriate to build a couple tiny houses on a large lot in a single-family neighborhood. The City of Atlanta is undergoing a full update of its zoning ordinance and this policy will help inform how and where to allow accessory dwelling units and dwelling unit equivalencies.
Robert Reed of Southface, who was part of the working group that undertook the Tiny House Feasibility Study noted that, “This effort has helped us begin to understand how regulations could positively change over time to accommodate concepts such as life cycle housing and aging in place. These are important community needs that Tiny Houses can address.”
Will Johnson of Tiny House Atlanta said, “This is a great step for Atlanta to start looking towards other solutions in innovative housing and micro living!”
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This article is sourced from City of Atlanta press release.
