Peak Oil Task Force Report - City of Bloomington - State of Indiana

Granny flats
In Bloomington, there has been vocal opposition to granny
flats or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). 207 An ADU is a self‐
contained apartment in an owner‐occupied, single‐family
home or on a lot that is either attached to the principal
dwelling or in a separate structure on the same property.
The flat might be a suite above a rear detached garage, above
the main floor of a house or detached from the principal dwelling like a garden flat.
While some residents have concerns about such structures, ADUs have been shown to
increase the community’s supply of affordable housing and enhance the social stability and
mix of neighborhoods with little or no negative impact on the physical character of the
neighborhood. 208 ADUs also help to maximize use of existing public infrastructure and
reduce the pressure on open space and farmlands from sprawling development. As there is
considerable community concern regarding allowing granny flats, the City should engage in
greater public awareness regarding the benefits of granny flats.
Micro houses
Micro houses are extremely small houses with a
maximum area of 500 square feet. 209 While these
houses may not be suited for everyone, as household
energy prices rise, more residents might find smaller
houses more attractive. It should be noted that, for
safety purposes, the Indiana Residential Code requires
that every dwelling unit shall have at least one
habitable room that shall have not less than 120 square feet. 210
207 Brady Gilliham, “City Plan Commission Votes Down Granny Flats,” Herald Times, May 5, 2009, p. A6.
208 State of Massachusetts, Smart Growth/Smart Energy, Accessory Dwelling Units,
http://www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/pages/mod‐adu.html.
Source: U.S. EPA
209 See, Building Home and Garden, Micro Homes, http://www.buildinghomegarden.com/micro‐homes.html
210 R 304.1, the Indiana Residential Code is modeled on the International Residential Code
Source: Tumbleweed tiny house, Justin Thomas,
www.treehugger.com
Report of the Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force 166