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Residents urge Greenberg to allow accessory dwelling units to ease housing costs
Summary
Two residents urged the town board to adopt accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reforms so young families and low‑income residents can afford to stay in Greenberg; the board said the issue may require state legislation and asked staff to explore options and record comments for the public hearing.
Two residents used the board’s public comment period on April 23 to press the Town Board to adopt policies allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to expand affordable housing options in Greenberg.
Tara Pavan, who identified herself as a Greenberg resident and licensed mental‑health therapist, told the board that the local cost of housing has risen sharply: "A one‑bedroom apartment in the area now can go for around $3,000 a month," she said, and described how renovating unused basement space into an ADU would allow her and her young son to remain in town.
Pavan noted that a renovated two‑bedroom would cost a large share of her income and described ADUs as a practical way to preserve family stability and avoid displacement.
Her father, Terry Pavone, asked how adding a basement unit would affect property taxes and referenced "mother‑daughter" house arrangements; town officials said some aspects — such as whether assessments would increase — may require state legislation and that the assessor’s authority would determine tax treatment at the time of sale.
Council members and staff said the town has asked the Department of Community Development and Planning to review ADU impacts and suggested the comments will be included in the record for the public hearing, which the board said will continue on May 28. The clerk offered to accept written transcriptions and contact information from speakers to include their remarks as part of the official record.
Board leaders said they will follow up with state lawmakers and take steps to categorize affected projects and unit counts for targeted advocacy. "If there are specific projects you’re talking about…we will take that as correspondence that I will direct to the appropriate people in Washington," Congressman Leonard also offered during his remarks earlier in the meeting.
The board invited Pavan to return to the May 28 public hearing to add to the record and to meet with planning staff to refine proposals.
