Often called “granny flats” or “in-law apartments,” accessory apartments were meant to be an affordable housing alternative. But these apartments haven?t taken off in Howard County, prompting officials to consider making a push for the option.
“It?s an opportunity for a different kind of product that meets a need,” County Department of Planning and Zoning Director Marsha McLaughlin said.
The issue of accessory apartments arose during recent discussions with the County Council over legislation aimed at curbing certain development in existing neighborhoods.
Now, zoning officials are considering “cleaning up” some of the regulations and promoting accessory apartments, McLaughlin told the Council.
An accessory apartment is a second house that can?t be separate from the main owner-occupied, single-family detached house, according to the county?s zoning regulations adopted in the mid-1990s.
The apartments don?t count toward Howard?s density limits.
Residents can rent out these apartments, or the larger house, to add income or share the mortgage, officials said.
But not enough people are taking advantage of them.
“We?re not getting the word out,” said Howard County Citizens Association Board Member Cathy Hudson, who worked with the county about a decade ago in crafting the regulations.
Hudson said she wanted to work with the association to create brochures educating residents about the option.
“I would rather educate and be a proponent for something that exists that has good potential to work rather than go into things we haven?t done,” such as giving developers density bonuses or changing the regulations, Hudson said.
Zoning officials plan to look at accessory apartments when preparing a package of affordable housing options expected in the fall, McLaughlin said.
