Wrangell’s municipal government is considering a change to its code that would allow accessory dwelling units in residential areas. This is something that the Planning and Zoning Commission has been working on for the last year.
A comprehensive plan in 2010 identified housing as a community need.
According to Economic Development Director Kate Thomas, the new code language would allow homeowners to establish separate living quarters near their homes.
At the last assembly meeting, Thomas said the ordinance change would give Wrangell residents more flexibility.
“That’s our end goal is to maximize support of the individual to the degree possible while taking consideration of the whole,” she said.
The accessory dwelling units could be housing opportunities for the elderly or other family members, she said. They could help provide affordable housing for the community or homeowners could use them as rentals.
There are some rules attached — Thomas said the units are limited to 800 square feet and some permitting and fees might apply.
“You have to have a building permit. You have to submit building plans with that permit. And then we account for the total size of the development against the lot size and make sure that maximum lot coverage is not exceeded. They can be connected to the water and sewer of the primary residence, but they must be visually subordinate to the primary residence meaning smaller and setback from the front property line.”
The Wrangell assembly passed the ordinance in its first reading and scheduled a public hearing for it on December 12.
