Gerard “Ardi” Keim: New mandates on ADUs don’t make sense

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Published: 11-04-2024 4:12 PM

My wife and I enjoy our retirement in Greenfield. We live north of the high school on a third of an acre. We, and our neighbors, have well-kept yards with beautiful gardens. There are more of the same on much smaller lots between here and downtown, and we know that passersby enjoy them, too. We get comments of appreciation as they pass — even drivers have slowed to comment on the flora.

I don’t want that amenity phased out, yet a new state law mandates that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can be built on parcels of less than five acres. How can Greenfield, or any municipality let this happen “by right,” with no special permit required, and current zoning ignored? Is government serving the people, or forcing us out, by not seeing the obvious:

■Property owners would sell to investors and developers who can offer top dollar to seniors on fixed incomes.

■The high cost of building such units would require higher rent than most seniors and other low-income residents could afford.

■More ADUs crammed into our town will make Greenfield less appealing to possible new owners, especially without adequate jobs with a living wage.

■As single-family properties become multifamily ones, more residents will rent instead of buy.

What makes sense about a plan like this? I hope it’s reversed so I can continue to live here. And Greenfield can attract residents who see its potential for all families in years to come.

Gerard “Ardi” Keim

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