The Cottonwood City Council discussed housing availability and affordability during its Feb. 13 work session, which was intended to provide city staff with direction on a package of housing policies and code amendments being prepared for the Planning and Zoning Commission and council.
The work session was intended to provide direction on which housing measures could be considered as part of that package.
Community development director Scott Ellis and senior planner Gary Davis discussed policy options regarding housing availability such as changing development standards, reducing or removing unnecessary obstacles that prohibit building the permitted number of units on a lot and changing parking and setback requirements.
Other options the planners discussed were allowing backyard cottages in single-family residential zones as only guest houses are currently permitted under restrictions — such as use by family members only and they cannot be rented out to other tenants; reducing development fees in infill areas for multi-family and smaller single-family developments that already have the necessary infrastructure in place, like water and sewer; modifying development regulations as incentives for affordability agreements; and coordinating with nonprofits and government agencies that help supplement rents.
The potential housing policy package includes development incentives and guidelines for affordable housing.
Ellis and Davis said that backyard cottages can be done in a way that keeps them consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Guest houses in Cottonwood are currently limited to 750 square feet and one story and must be located at the rear of the main structure.
Councilwoman Helaine Kurot said that if parking was changed as a development incentive, she wanted them to make sure there would be enough parking for everyone who would live there. Davis replied that that could be approached on a case-by-case basis.
“We’re going to have to approach this from all angles to make any kind of an impact,” said Mayor Tim Elinski.
The council also discussed Phoenix’s September 2023 approval of a new rule that allows one ADU on any single-family residential property if the lot size and other characteristics makes it permissible.
Elinski expressed his desire to restrict backyard cottages to prevent them from becoming short-term rentals.
