Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are currently allowed as accessory to detached single family dwellings with a size limit of 900 sq.ft., one bedroom and one parking space, in addition to other restrictions in City Code.
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sandpointid/latest/sandpoint_id/0-0-0-5220
I SUPPORT incentives to encourage ADU construction or conversions of existing accessory buildings (i.e. garages) into ADUs.
If you support changes to ADU regulations, please indicate what changes you would like to see below.
Sandpoint is a small town. It has a unique character which is why people move here. The question we should ask ourselves first is do we want to change that? Because infill housing will change it forever. I support ADUs as a sensible way for home owners to make passive income and provide cheap accommodation for Sandpoint residents. I do not support ADUs being VRBO'd or AirBnB'd. This decreases housing opportunities for local workers and young people who desperately need them. The City should explore the idea of a local ordinance that encourages more renting to locals in the form of property tax exemptions or other creative incentives to rent to local workers and families.
Would you support a change to the Sandpoint City Code that would allow for smaller lot sizes than currently allowed to provide more housing options (i.e. townhouses or other fee simple attached single family units or smaller detached homes).
No, I do not support lot sizes smaller than current code allows 50 ft. wide/5,000 square feet
Image 1:
Do Not Support
Image 2:
Do Not Support
Image 3:
Do Not Support
Image 4:
Support
Image 5:
Do Not Support
Image 6:
Do Not Support
What would improve your neighborhood?
I would not change much. Neighborhoods like this are why we moved here. Ours is low-density and no infill which translates to high variety, character and sociability among neighbors. We moved here because of the 'small town' feel. We have a yard and know our neighbors well. Our children play together and we chit chat in our yards as people walk by. In high density housing there are no yards so people never get to meet their neighbors. Statistically, where people do not know their neighbors or do not interact with passersby we see low trust and isolation in our communities...just like the place we left.
What do you like best about your neighborhood?
Our neighborhood is comprised mostly of houses with families occupying them. On some lots are manufacturered homes, some homes are small with large shops, some houses take up the entire lot. There is a lot of diversity of housing types and non-standardization which gives our neighborhood genuine character. This provides for a wide variety of use, tastes and people which we enjoy immensely.
Infill housing has no yards so people never get to meet their neighbors. Statistically, neighbors that do not speak to each other lead to low community trust as we see in urban areas. High density or infill housing caters more to the urban professional but, as we don't have those jobs here I am confused why they are being considered-- unless there is a profit motive. I feel many of those houses will still be expensive and provide little local relief. Many will be purchased by people from out of town who will VRBO them out and use them as vacation properties.
The best thing I like about my neighborhood is that it is in unique (and quirky) Sandpoint. If Sandpoint changes too much, it will inevitably change our neighborhood.
Using the numbered areas in the map above, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live.
Area 5
Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Select as many as apply.
I live in Sandpoint
What is your age?
40 - 49
Open Town Hall is not a certified voting system or ballot box. As with any public comment process, participation in Open Town Hall is voluntary. The responses in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.
Translate
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are currently allowed as accessory to detached single family dwellings with a size limit of 900 sq.ft., one bedroom and one parking space, in addition to other restrictions in City Code. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sandpointid/latest/sandpoint_id/0-0-0-5220
If you support changes to ADU regulations, please indicate what changes you would like to see below.
Sandpoint is a small town. It has a unique character which is why people move here. The question we should ask ourselves first is do we want to change that? Because infill housing will change it forever. I support ADUs as a sensible way for home owners to make passive income and provide cheap accommodation for Sandpoint residents. I do not support ADUs being VRBO'd or AirBnB'd. This decreases housing opportunities for local workers and young people who desperately need them. The City should explore the idea of a local ordinance that encourages more renting to locals in the form of property tax exemptions or other creative incentives to rent to local workers and families.
Would you support a change to the Sandpoint City Code that would allow for smaller lot sizes than currently allowed to provide more housing options (i.e. townhouses or other fee simple attached single family units or smaller detached homes).
Image 1:
Image 2:
Image 3:
Image 4:
Image 5:
Image 6:
What would improve your neighborhood?
I would not change much. Neighborhoods like this are why we moved here. Ours is low-density and no infill which translates to high variety, character and sociability among neighbors. We moved here because of the 'small town' feel. We have a yard and know our neighbors well. Our children play together and we chit chat in our yards as people walk by. In high density housing there are no yards so people never get to meet their neighbors. Statistically, where people do not know their neighbors or do not interact with passersby we see low trust and isolation in our communities...just like the place we left.
What do you like best about your neighborhood?
Our neighborhood is comprised mostly of houses with families occupying them. On some lots are manufacturered homes, some homes are small with large shops, some houses take up the entire lot. There is a lot of diversity of housing types and non-standardization which gives our neighborhood genuine character. This provides for a wide variety of use, tastes and people which we enjoy immensely.
Infill housing has no yards so people never get to meet their neighbors. Statistically, neighbors that do not speak to each other lead to low community trust as we see in urban areas. High density or infill housing caters more to the urban professional but, as we don't have those jobs here I am confused why they are being considered-- unless there is a profit motive. I feel many of those houses will still be expensive and provide little local relief. Many will be purchased by people from out of town who will VRBO them out and use them as vacation properties.
The best thing I like about my neighborhood is that it is in unique (and quirky) Sandpoint. If Sandpoint changes too much, it will inevitably change our neighborhood.
Using the numbered areas in the map above, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live.
Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Select as many as apply.
What is your age?