ADU – Heard of it?
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The town of castle rock is currently looking into the feasibility. In short, ADU stands for alternative dwelling unit whereby any Single family residence may be converted into a duplex without the zoning. Concerned? You probably should be.
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More to come. I’ll also outline the new budget and talk about our water. If you think water is an issue now, just wait.
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ADU, the nondescript acronym the Town of Castle Rock has been using to describe a 2 family residence in a single family neighborhood. Also known as "accessory or guest apartments, in-law apartments, family apartments or secondary unit."
In short this would allow any single family residence to convert into a duplex under certain circumstances.
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The purpose of this bylaw is to:
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1. Provide older homeowners with a means of obtaining rental income.
2. Add moderately priced rental units to housing stock.
3. Develop housing units in single-family neighborhoods.
4. Provide housing units for persons with disabilities.
5. Protect stability and property values and the character of a neighborhood.
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I can think of alot of things this law may do but raising property values from a professional point of view is not one of them. The Town is modeling this after other communities but fail to mention that those towns have much bigger yards and parking unlike Castle Rock.
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Folks move into a single family neighborhood for a reason and to arbitrarily change it midstream is not what most of us bargained for. The caveat, they claim is that the homeowner must also live in the home. However if the homeowner moves and re-rents, what then? By the town's own admission, it will be hard to enforce. One of the claims is that because of the poor economy, it forces sons, daughters or parents to move in with you but that is being done now and most people don't mind. To legislate a loophole large enough for investors to drive a truck through is quite another.
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A Town hearing is scheduled for this on December 6, 2011. If you can't make the meeting, you can make your feelings known by calling the Town Zoning Manager or your respective Councilman.
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If you would like a copy of the proposal as it is now, please contact me and I'd be happy to email it. It is not available on the Town's website.
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Mary Shaw Taylor, Town Zoning Manager 720-733-3557 or Town Council at 303-660-1374
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Please note. Even though the meeting with the town is scheduled for 12/6, it is only discussionary and hasn't exactly been on everyone's lips. You will still have time to be heard.
