Guest columnist Martha Terry: Detached accessory dwelling units a step too far in South Hadley

Citizens of South Hadley, the Planning Board has proposed a bylaw to permit accessory dwelling units. It allows attached (additions to a house) and interior ADUs, which are both fine with me and just about everyone. But the proposal goes way too far because it also permits detached ADUs which are in reality second houses on lots zoned for single family homes. These second houses can be up to 900 square feet of living space, and when coupled with a deck, porch and garage, they become full-sized houses in backyards.

These are not an accessory dwelling unit in any sense. These are second houses on lots with one existing home. This would double the density of our residential neighborhoods, a drastic change to our zoning by laws and to our town. These second houses would impinge upon the abutters' privacy and quiet enjoyment of their own backyards. People who have lived in their houses and paid property taxes expect the lots in their neighborhood to contain only one house. All the goals and objectives to help ease the housing crunch for the elderly, handicapped, relatives, young couples, or anyone, can be fully achieved with attached/interior accessory dwelling units.

These attached units, whether prefab, modular, or standard built, can be easily customized to satisfy anyone’s needs. A radical change, such as second houses, would nullify our zoning by laws that have served this town well for decades and decades. We all want to add to the rentable housing stock in town.

Attached/interior ADUs are a gentle solution to the shortage of rental units. Everybody wins. Everyone is happy: homeowners, renters, and abutters. This issue affects hundreds of houses in town. I have spoken to many, many homeowners, who are aghast at the idea of second houses on lots already occupied by a home, and who feel they would lose their backyard “sanctuary,” a place for quiet enjoyment of nature and a place of relaxation.

It is very important to note, contrary to what you might have heard, all ADUs, attached/interior and detached, can be rented to anyone, not just to relatives. These are not in-law suites or guest houses. This point is paramount: the homeowner may rent these units to anyone. If you are a Town Meeting member, please support the amendment at Town Meeting to remove any mention of “Detached Accessory Dwelling Units” from the proposed new bylaw. If you are not a Town Meeting member, please contact the Town Meeting members in your precinct. Thank you.

Martha Terry lives in South Hadley.

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