SB 673
Background
Many bills that have been filed are attempts to address the housing shortage in Texas by reducing and/or eliminating local review and input on housing of all types. SB 673 would allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), commonly known as mother-in-law suites, on all lots, irrespective of approved zoning. The bill would further erode any city’s ability to require local development regulations such as prohibiting the building or leasing of an ADU, requiring owner occupancy of the primary dwelling unit, requiring additional parking for ADUs, applying the city’s growth, density, or bulk limitations to an ADU, and remove any public input from the approval of such an ADU, to name a few.
Context to Melissa
Melissa currently allows the concept of ADUs, but only in our larger single-family residential zones with lot sizes greater than 10,000 square feet. Should a permit be requested for an ADU on one of the larger lots, the City would review aspects such as parking, minimum spacing, location of structure in relation to setbacks, etc. As mentioned in a prior notice, HB 2439 prohibits the regulation of exterior construction of all residential and commercial structures if the exterior product proposed was allowed by a national building code. Passage of SB 673 in its current form would allow ADUs to go on any lot in Melissa, whether zoned or not, for single-family use.
For Your Consideration
SB 673 is being considered, which would remove most local regulatory controls over ADUs. The City believes there is strong momentum to approve all bills that help eliminate the perceived barriers to more housing options being constructed, but this bill provides unchecked authority that may conflict with what our community expects. As such, the drafted communication acknowledges that and provides some rational limitations that could be considered to make this bill more balanced in its goal to achieve more housing.
More information can be found at the following link:
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB00673
Who to contact:
Senator Angela Paxton, District 8
angela.paxton@senate.texas.gov
Capitol Address:
Room 3E.10 Capitol Building
Austin, Texas 78701
Representative Jeff Leach, District 67
Capitol Address:
Room 1W.3
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Representative Keresa Richardson, District 61
keresa.richardson@house.texas.gov
Capitol Address:
Room E2.416 Capitol Building
Austin, Texas 78701
Suggested Language(please consider personalizing this as you choose)Dear Honorable Representative Leach/Richardson/Paxton, We are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed legislation, SB 673, which would permit the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) with little local oversight. While we understand the intent behind increasing housing availability, we firmly believe that the allowance of ADUs in the broad manner proposed could have detrimental effects on our community. First and foremost, introducing ADUs into single-family neighborhoods as proposed threatens the character and integrity of our established communities. For instance, architectural consistency and neighborhood aesthetics may be compromised, eroding the qualities that make our area desirable and unique. Additionally, increased density resulting from ADU construction can exacerbate traffic congestion, parking shortages, and strain on public infrastructure, such as water and wastewater systems, which were not designed to accommodate higher population densities. Furthermore, we are concerned about the potential for ADUs to be used primarily as short-term rental units rather than contributing to housing needs, undermining the original intent of the policy while further disrupting the character of our neighborhoods. While we are opposed to the unrestricted development of ADUs, we do feel like there are places for such a housing type. We are open to the possibility of thoughtful compromises that balance housing needs with community integrity. For example, establishing clear regulations that: • Require owner occupancy for properties with ADUs to maintain neighborhood stability by allowing a city to impose a minimum level of architectural and design criteria to not diminish existing neighborhoods. • Ensure adequate parking requirements and infrastructure capacity to support increased density. • Implement minimum lot sizes where ADUs would make sense to protect the cluttering on smaller lots Rather than permitting the widespread construction of ADUs as contemplated in the drafted legislation, we urge you to explore alternative solutions to be incorporated into the legislation, such as reasonable and rational limitations, so planned communities do not look unchecked and inconsistent with why families invested in their chosen home. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your careful consideration of our concerns and look forward to your response. Sincerely, |