Perhaps there are options to an IHZ...

I recently received an email from an Oxford Resident, simply stating "Perhaps there are options to an IHZ..." with a link to a recent article in the New York Times.  I would like to share this article with the rest of the Oxford Community.  It is about the Town of Salisbury:

 Click here: Town Weighs Affordable Housing Panel - In the Region/Connecticut - NYTimes.com

 I did access Salisbury’s website and found an extensive report from the Salisbury Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to the Board of Selectman dated June 2010 (which I have attached).    Their research started in 2007 and the committee looked at all possible venues to Affordable Housing  like creating affordable housing by using existing buildings, purchasing existing homes, supporting the creation of accessory apartments, developing senior housing and housing for the handicap,  multi-unit housing and employ overlay Incentive Housing Zone.    This report has valuable information for all towns to use.

Accessory apartments, also known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) or In-Law Apartments, is a topic that has been brought up to Oxford’s Planning & Zoning Commission, the concept as listed in this report states: “Allow homeowners to create an apartment unit in their primary residence (or in a separate building of their property-such as a garage or barn) that can be rented at an affordable rate.     There are many who can benefit from the creation of accessory apartments in homes including:  communities in need of cost effective affordable housing that blends easily into existing neighborhoods; homeowners who could use the extra rental income or assistance; seniors who want to stay in their homes can barter reduced rent for help shoveling walks and running errands; and young teachers, health care workers, volunteer firefighters and others who work in town and can’t currently afford to live here, but who could afford the rent of an accessory apartment.” Ridgefield, Trumbull and Goshen are towns listed on this report as having this type of regulation.

Salisbury is one of  50 municipalities that has received the Technical Assistant Grant (like Oxford) for planning of Incentive Housing Zone.    Salisbury has opted not to adopt an Incentive Housing Zone.