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Local seniors group urges Vermilion to allow ADUs, hosts tax forum for older residents
Summary
Serving Our Seniors representatives asked the City Council to consider zoning changes to permit accessory dwelling units and to support small modest housing; they announced two upcoming public forums on real-estate taxes for older adults.
Representatives of Serving Our Seniors told Vermilion City Council on Feb. 3 they want the city to consider zoning changes to encourage small, modest and affordable housing and to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that could be rented as small rental units.
"Our work is to represent residents of Erie County at age 60 or older and help them to maintain their health and their functional independence," said Sue Daugherty, the group's representative, describing the organization’s mission and its outreach to older residents.
Daugherty said Serving Our Seniors hired a fundraiser and is writing grants and developing a plan to support small, modest affordable housing. She asked the council to review ordinances and zoning rules so Vermilion will be "welcoming to small dwellings," including permitting mother-in-law suites or granny flats as rental units where lot size allows.
The group also announced two public forums on real-estate taxation and affordability. Daugherty said the forums will feature Caleb Stidham, Erie County treasurer, explaining how property taxes are calculated and tailored for city and township residents. Daugherty gave these dates: an initial Vermilion forum on March 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Witter Public Library (RSVP by Feb. 27 for city residents) and a combined township forum on March 7 at 1:30 p.m. if there are insufficient township RSVPs.
City staff said they have had preliminary conversations about zoning changes for smaller dwellings and that a local developer is discussing preliminary ideas. Council members and the mayor expressed support for considering ADUs and updating zoning rules, noting the city’s zoning code has not been comprehensively updated in decades.
Serving Our Seniors also said it had contacted state legislators to request meetings about policies affecting older homeowners and taxes. The group asked council members to attend the forums and to consider zoning and funding actions that could help older residents stay in their homes.
A council member said the administration has started reviewing the code and that a listening session with interested builders is being planned to identify what would make small-unit construction feasible and affordable in Vermilion.
