LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange is looking at allowing a new type of housing that is considered more affordable.
The homes in question are officially known as “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs. They are more commonly referred to as granny flats or coach houses.
Accessory dwelling units come with a full kitchen and bathroom. They can be attached to a house or detached.
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Such housing is under consideration in many places, including Elmhurst.
Opponents often say accessory dwelling units destroy neighborhoods of single-family houses. In Elmhurst, some fear the units would make the community more like Chicago.
Find out what's happening in La Grangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In La Grange, the Plan Commission is considering consultants’ recommendations for a new long-term plan for growth, replacing the one from 2005.
The consultant’s recommendations included permitting accessory dwelling units.
According to the commission’s August meeting minutes, a “heavy discussion” about accessory dwelling units ensued. Members and consultants agreed that instead of openly permitting such units, “a more restricted allowance is necessary to protect the character of La Grange,” the minutes said.
In written comments to the commission, Peg Moster, a member of the League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area, backed allowing accessory dwelling units. Such housing would help residents accommodate aging parents or young adults, she said.
With each new local development, Moster said, pricing is beyond the reach of young families, young singles, seniors, teachers in local schools and workers at local businesses, among others.
“The references to ‘affordability’ in the plan are frankly lip service to the input from the community during the information-gathering phase of the plan development and offer no solid solutions,” Moster said.
The median value of a house in La Grange is nearly $550,000, according to the U.S. Census.
The Plan Commission meets again Tuesday.
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