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Ithaca Common Council adopts ADU ordinance without owner‑occupancy requirement
Summary
After months of debate and public comment, the council voted to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right in qualifying zones and remove an owner-occupancy requirement; amendments proposed on the floor failed and the ordinance passed by roll call vote.
The Ithaca Common Council adopted an ordinance on May 7 that legalizes accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in qualifying R‑1 and R‑2 residential zones without a citywide owner‑occupancy requirement.
“I move that we...legalize their construction by right if they meet a number of prescribed requirements, one of which is not owner occupancy,” Alderson Winn said when moving the ordinance for a final vote. Council debate followed a lengthy public comment period in which neighbors, housing advocates and longtime residents urged differing approaches.
Supporters told council ADUs can be a modest way to add housing capacity, help aging…
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