[Greenbuilding] multi-generational housing

[Bobbi Chukran]

>Ted wrote:
>Current zoning laws have been set up to prevent multi-family dwellings to
>such an extent that they make it virtually impossible to live in a way that
>would be best for all of us. Sooner or later, these outdated laws will have
>to fall for the good of society.
>

Right!

I think ideally the parent/s would live in a semi-detached small 
space that gives both of the parties privacy.  I've seen this work 
twice to good effect with some of my former neighbors.

Both of them had acreage, though, so the addition of a second small 
house wasn't a problem.  Each of these small "apartments" had to be 
attached to the main house in some way AND the septic systems there 
had to be enlarged.  The cost for doing this for one neighbor was 
around $120,000 to add the apartment.

The only alternative was that it had to be built detached as a second 
home, 1500 sq. ft. minimum with a whole new septic system and 
sub-divided as a second residence should the owner want to sell. 
Prohibitively expensive for many folks.  We got an estimate before we 
moved of putting in another house with septic.  Cost for the septic 
alone was around $22,000. And each house had to be on at least three 
acres.

Here in town, the rules are much more stringent.  The lots are much 
smaller, so we really couldn't add anything here even if we could 
afford it.

Some of the larger, older rancher houses have the old "mother-in-law" 
plans, so I suppose those could be remodeled to work--perhaps with 
separate entries.  Or perhaps living in a duplex would work, although 
you almost never seen new ones of those being built anymore.

Someone mentioned selling my mother's house and using the "leftovers" 
to buy a smaller,newer house.  Problem is, in her area old houses are 
selling for around $50,000, so that doesn't leave a whole lot to buy 
anything, much less build anything new.

bobbi c.