The Rockland City Council has again proposed an Ordinance Amendment to allow Accessory Dwellings “Attached” (apartment over an existing garage) and “Detached” (tiny/small houses in everyone’s back yard and side yard, as long as they meet set back requirements), as an answer to affordable housing.  The Council passed this Ordinance Amendment in first reading on February 8, 2020.  Final passage is scheduled for March 8, 2020 at a Zoom Council Meeting.

Runoff water and spring thaw, east of Broadway sits on properties and floods basements. The council should not encourage more impervious surface by allowing backyard small houses, in an area that is already too wet and too dense. In addition, brooks overflow and create health issues.

There are many housing alternatives to adding “Detached” Accessory Dwellings on property of single-family residents:

1. Upper floors of Main Street, recommended in a City study by Sebago Tech, having the City work with Maine Housing to secure funding for adaptive reuse of buildings.
   
   
2. 599 empty existing housing units according to the 2016 census, presented to council in a letter from Vince Papsidero, a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and 
   
   
3. The Habitat for Humanity development on Philbrick Avenue. 

On March 11, 2019, the council unanimously voted final approval for a Habitat for Humanity contract zone for Philbrick Avenue to “create much needed affordable housing.”  Habitat for Humanity stated that all 12 units had been spoken for and the soon-to-be owners had all been reviewed.  A City Planner from Sebago Tech, reported to the council in November 2019, that the project would be an opportunity to see the development and see what the demand is for these smaller affordable units.

If you drive up Philbrick Avenue today, you will see five houses in various stages of construction.  After nearly 2 years, there are 7 empty lots out of the 12 approved for small houses.  Habitat for Humanity is now advertising in the Free Press (February 2^nd edition, page 3), seeking people to apply for affordable home ownership in Philbrick Commons.  

Detached small dwellings (425 square feet) in back yards and side yards of a person’s home will not solve affordable housing. It will do just the opposite. These small homes will be rented for market value or short-term rentals, as there is no limit on short term rentals in Rockland on owner occupied property. 

Adele Faber lives in Rockland