Another northeast Johnson County city is exploring new housing options to allow under its city code. The Merriam City Council on Monday unanimously voted to direct the city’s planning commission to draft an ordinance that explicitly allows accessory dwelling units, sometimes referred to as granny flats or mother-in-law suites. Over the past couple of years, accessory dwelling units proved a major sticking point in Prairie Village’s heated housing debate, with some residents expressing concerns that allowing for ADUs could lead to increased traffic, strained infrastructure and crowded schools. Prairie Village’s code allows for what are called accessory living quarters, which require tenants to be related to the primary property owner. Meanwhile, in Merriam, Billy Croan, the only resident who shared public comment on Monday, urged the city council to support accessory dwelling units in the name of property owner rights. Croan said he believes “government should not stand in the way” of people using their properties. City staff is going to work with the Merriam Planning Commission to draft an ordinance, which will eventually return to the city council for final consideration.
Source: Johnson County Post
