THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602140145
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
What do you do with your mother-in-law when she's too old or sick to live on her own but you don't want to put her in a nursing home?
That's the question the city staff is considering as they develop an ordinance to stop folks from building garage apartments in their back yards.
Too many times apartments for family members turn into rental property once the family member no longer needs the space, said June Brooks, a planner for the city. City officials have had trouble enforcing zoning ordinances that would prohibit multiple homes in areas zoned for single-family residences.
The City Council considered an ordinance that would have prevented homeowners from building ``accessory dwellings'' on their property. But the council said it seems that the city already has laws that prohibit two homes - or a garage apartment and a home - on a single-family lot.
During a public hearing on the issue, Stuart Nelson of Courtney Road said that the new ordinance would create problems.
``This precludes me from bringing my family closer,'' Nelson said. ``My parents are in their 80s. I want my parents to come live at my home in an accessory structure.''
The council deferred the item for 30 days, asking the planning department to investigate whether there are currently laws that prohibit construction of such homes. They also asked for a report on how the city would enforce the laws. by CNB