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ACCESSORY LIVING UNITS WORK SESSION
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BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
On January 29, 2024, the Town Council adopted Housing Diversity as one of four priorities for the calendar year 2024.
On May 6, 2024, staff provided a presentation to the Council on some of the types of housing diversity that exist, which was followed by a conversation on how the Council might define its goals with respect to housing diversity. That conversation continued during a work session on May 13, 2024.
As follow-up, the Mayor requested that a work session be held on the topic of residential accessory units, which are, in Fairfax County, referred to as "accessory living units," or ALUs. That work session was held on September 9th, where the Town Council indicated interest in discussing an ordinance that would permit such units in the Town, with regulations. The staff presentation, modified slightly for the Planning Commission, is provided as Attachment 1.
On September 23rd, the Town Council held a work session to provide guidance to staff and the Town Attorney on the components of an ordinance that would amend the zoning code. The Town Council asked that staff return with draft amendments at its October 7th meeting, for the Town Council to review and potentially 1) approve a draft for forwarding to the Planning Commission, and 2) set November 18, 2024 as a public hearing. This report was drafted in advance of that Town Council meeting, but it will have taken place by the time the Planning Commission holds this work session. Staff will provide an oral update on the results of that meeting.
The Town Council has indicated that it would like to adopt these code amendments before the end of calendar year 2024. A key reason is that there is likely to be State legislation re-introduced in the next Virginia legislative session. In the 2024 session, legislation was introduced that would have required all jurisdictions to permit ALUs in residential zones by right, with the right to enfo...
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