No Stone Unturned!

I am writing this post for anyone who might need this information in the future. I also want to share our experience with you because I now have a greater appreciation for all those people who have had to go through their city leaders to get an ordinance passed.  We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into!

This past week I have called several city planners hoping to get more information regarding Accessory Dwelling Units.  I have received so much help from other city officials and cannot express enough how much I appreciate everyone I have talked to and for the information they have given me.  It is amazing to me how many cities actually have ordinances already in place to allow Accessory Dwelling Units.  In fact I talked to Michael Maloy, who is the City Planner for Salt Lake City and he mentioned that when he first started researching ADU's he thought they were on the cutting edge and were starting something new.  He was shocked to see just how many cities already had the ordinance in place not only in Utah but several other states have adopted them too.  I have talked to so many people that have mentioned what a great idea this is.  One person I talked to has a mother who is currently in a nursing home and she has to go visit her 3 times a day to make sure she is getting the proper care she needs.  Not only that, but it is costing her over $3000.00 a month to keep her there!  She mentioned how nice it would be to be able to have her mother close so she could take better care of her.

The thing that urks me the most, is the fact that I have had to do all this research myself! I already gave the City Planner information about Accessory Dwelling Units but he didn't even research them himself.  Well, I have over 100 pages which I have printed out that include other cities that have adopted ADU's, documents from AARP and the American Planning Association, and other resources I have been given from other city leaders supporting Accessory Dwelling Units.  I didn't want to leave any stone unturned!

We have another meeting with the Planning Commission this coming week so hopefully all the documentation I have given them will show them just how important this ordinance is not only for us personally but for other people in the future.