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The Bureau of Land Management updates a proposed Western Solar Plan to the delight of wildlife advocates, grant funding helps New York schools take part in National Farm to School Month, and children's advocates observe "TEN-4 Day" to raise awareness of child abuse.

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Biden voices concerns over Israeli strikes on Iran, Special Counsel Jack Smith details Trump's pre-January 6 pressure on Pence, Indiana's voter registration draws scrutiny, and a poll shows politics too hot to talk about for half of Wisconsinites.

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Cheap milk comes at a cost for residents of Washington's Lower Yakima Valley, Indigenous language learning is promoted in Wisconsin as experts warn half the world's languages face extinction, and Montana's public lands are going to the dogs!

Louisville Works to Expand Accessory Dwelling Unit Resources

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Thursday, June 29, 2023   

The City of Louisville wants to streamline the process for property owners seeking to build Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as carriage houses or backyard cottages, and it has received a $13,000 Community Challenge grant to do so.

For decades, land-use regulations required residents to have a public hearing and go through a months-long process to build Accessory Dwelling Units. In 2021, the city modified its rules to make the process easier for people living in single-family residential zoning districts.

Joel Dock, planning supervisor for Louisville Metro's Office of Planning and Design Services, said the grant will allow the city to host a design competition and select winning architectural plans it could make available online for the public to use free of charge.

"And we see that as a huge benefit to not only just the construction of ADUs, but to reduce the cost for the homeowner," Dock explained. "Plans and drawings can range depending on the detail between $3,000 and $5,000."

According to researchers at George Mason University's Mercatus Center, legalizing accessory dwelling units is on the rise as states take action to expand access to lower-cost housing.

Dock added by supplying pre-approved building plans which are 85% complete, the city is
removing the initial steps for people trying to figure out what an accessory dwelling unit is and obtaining needed permits. He noted it reduces the cost to property owners by $5,000.

"We just want to provide the opportunity for someone to not only know that they can do an ADU on their property, but then have immediate resources to say this is exactly what I can do," Dock emphasized.

This year, seven Kentucky grantees received almost $50,000 statewide in AARP Community Challenge grants.


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