(2/12) Planning and Zoning Chair, Randy Cubbedge, asked the Commission to consider amending the Town Code to allow Accessory Dwelling Units, aka ADUs, in Town. ADUs are secondary housing units on a single-family residential lot. Examples include tiny homes, basement apartments, coach or carriage houses, in-law suites and guesthouses. The suggestion to add ADUs to the Town Code is driven by the affordable housing issue.
Town Planner Kelly Duty created a presentation highlighting why ADUs would be an acceptable addition to Thurmont's code. "In the housing section of our master plan, it states that affordable housing is a priority and a long-term goal. ADUs would allow Thurmont to answer the affordable housing question without losing our ‘small town’ feel." She also explained the financial benefit for homeowners when renting them and the additional tax the Town would receive when the ADU is added to a home, thus increasing the home's value. Lastly, she promoted the benefits of decreased isolation and depression by allowing a person to stay in town close to family and friends instead of being forced to move away.
Duty spoke of how Frederick City, Frederick County, Myersville, New Market and Walkersville all allow some form of ADU in their code. Cubbedge explained that the current code would allow him to remodel his basement to be an in-law suite in certain zoning districts. However, if he wished to give his house to his children and build an independent tiny home on the property, he would be unable to do so. Cubbedge, a big supporter of allowing ADUs in Thurmont, also said, "With ADUs, families that no longer need a large home but want to stay in town can."
Commissioner Meredith Wivell questioned the definition of affordable housing. "It’s a moving target and hard to define," she said. She would like to see a definitive definition of what affordable housing is before making decisions on what Thurmont would or would not allow. Cubbedge responded by pointing out, "What is affordable for me may not be affordable for you." He explained why the process of amending the Town Code to allow ADUs would take time and would require significant work from Town staff. "By starting from scratch, we can determine how big, how much, where, and how we want the ADU rules to read. This would be ours as it would be unique to us," said Cubbedge.
Duty asked the Commission to come to the next meeting with a "yes or no" as to whether they would like to continue with the process. Residents are also encouraged to attend meetings and email members with their comments and concerns to help the Commission decide if ADUs are something the residents would like to see in Thurmont.
