[Massplanners] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL]Re: [EXTERNAL]Re: ADU Units

Harry LaCortiglia hlacortiglia at comcast.net
Mon Feb 17 07:15:11 EST 2025


Thanks Daniel,

Unfortunately, it's unlikely that _any_ of the ADU's that will be 
created will be SHI eligible.

The most likely ADU creators will be:

~Mom and Pop - making an apartment for their offspring

~Existing homeowners looking to gain equity and also receive rental income

~Investment Entities - Buy, add ADU and flip... or be long term 
landlords over 2 units.

I don't see any of those putting a deed rider on their ADU. They'll 
build, get an Occupancy Permit and charge a few dollars more per month 
than the going rate for a comparable unit in the vicinity.

Unless Affordable Housing Trusts "Buy" the Riders, I really don't see 
any of those going onto the SH Inventory.

Please forgive my growing cynicism?

H. LaCortiglia

Georgetown P.B.


On 2/16/2025 3:53 PM, daniel.j.fortier at gmail.com wrote:
>
> Harry,
>
> I know you asked this question of a different Daniel on the listserve, 
> but, I felt compelled to respond.
>
> I think way too much time is being focused on a probability that is 
> extremely remote. Condominium Associations generally control anything 
> outside the walls of the existing structures. Even to the point of 
> some association fees cover replacing roofing shingles and decks. In 
> that scenario, you may have an exclusive use area, but are limited as 
> to what you can place in that exclusive use area by the Association.
>
> So, the first hurdle, likely to not be overcome, is that the condo 
> association will not allow a 900 sf structure in anyone’s exclusive 
> use areas – note I have seen many that do not allow swing sets or sheds.
>
> Second hurdle is that most condominium associations have limits on 
> rentals. So that will probably further lead to a rejection of an ADU 
> by the association.
>
> As the ADU would mean that there are additional users of association 
> common areas and services, the Condo documents will all need to be 
> redrafted to reassign common costs.
>
> As the state expects there to be 8,000 to 10,000 ADU’s constructed 
> statewide over the next five years, or 1,600 – 2,000 per year, spread 
> across all 351 cities and towns, so maybe 5 to 6 ADU’s per community 
> per year, if they are spread evenly, communities should stop thinking 
> up crazy roadblocks to meeting one small part of the housing puzzle. 
> This is not just a response to your issue, but to the other remote 
> concepts raised. Do we really need to discuss the idea of an ADU being 
> built in the parking lot of a multi-family building? Is there any real 
> probability that a three bedroom condominium unit might be split into 
> two-units with one considered an ADU?  If such a scenario were to 
> arise in the next five years, it will probably only affect one of the 
> 10,000 units.
>
> Rather, we need to focus on how to actually get some of these units 
> built. Megan’s comments on Saturday provides some good ideas for 
> getting these SHI eligible.
>
> Daniel Fortier, AICP
>
> Retired Planner
>
> *From:*MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of 
> *Harry LaCortiglia via MassPlanners
> *Sent:* Sunday, February 16, 2025 5:36 AM
> *To:* Daniel N. Aguiar <daguiar at fallriverma.gov>; Ryan, Christopher 
> <cryan at belmont-ma.gov>
> *Cc:* 'Mass Planners' <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL]Re: 
> [EXTERNAL]Re: ADU Units
>
> Hi Daniel,
>
> So in this scenario, if I apply to add an ADU to my condo unit, and 
> build it 100 % in my exclusive use area, the Building Inspector would 
> have to deny the by-right permit?
>
> Or grant it, but with conditions? (Requiring the governing documents 
> be modified, and that individual owners and lenderssign off)
>
> Interesting subject for a ZBA or a judge...
>
> Happy shoveling!
>
> H. LaCortiglia
> Georgetown P.B.
>
> ,
>
> On 2/14/2025 8:38 AM, Daniel N. Aguiar wrote:
>
>     With regards to the condominium question I offer the following.
>
>     The association would need to be the applicant as owners of units
>     only have ownership of their own unit and any exclusive use area
>     delineated in the Condominium Documents, Master Deed and Plan.
>
>     The creation of the Adu would also require that all governing
>     documents be modified and would likely require releases from every
>     individual owner and subsequent lenders.
>
>     Daniel Aguiar
>
>     Director of Engineering & Planning
>
>     City Engineer
>
>     City of Fall River
>
>     One Government Center
>
>     Fall River, MA 02722
>
>     Telephone: 508-324-2512
>
>     Email: daguiar at fallriverma. <mailto:daguiar at fallriverma.org>gov
>
>     *From:*MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>
>     <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of *Ryan,
>     Christopher via MassPlanners
>     *Sent:* Friday, February 14, 2025 8:30 AM
>     *To:* Harry LaCortiglia <hlacortiglia at comcast.net>
>     <mailto:hlacortiglia at comcast.net>
>     *Cc:* 'Mass Planners' <massplanners at masscptc.org>
>     <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
>     *Subject:* [EXTERNAL] Re: [Massplanners] [EXTERNAL]Re:
>     [EXTERNAL]Re: ADU Units
>
>     *CAUTION:**This email originated from a sender outside of the City
>     of Fall River mail system. Do not click on links or open
>     attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content
>     is safe. If you are unsure of the validity of the email, please
>     contact IT.*
>
>     Great points and I am sure these situations may arise. I was also
>     floored by the fact that these units count in an overall local
>     housing inventory. That’s sure to create a firestorm in any
>     community short of 10% but actively sweating it out to faithfully
>     add affordable units.
>
>     Have a good weekend!
>
>     Chris R.
>
>     *From:*Harry LaCortiglia <hlacortiglia at comcast.net>
>     *Sent:* Friday, February 14, 2025 7:18 AM
>     *To:* Ryan, Christopher <cryan at belmont-ma.gov>
>     *Cc:* 'Mass Planners' <massplanners at masscptc.org>
>     *Subject:* [EXTERNAL]Re: [EXTERNAL]Re: [Massplanners] ADU Units
>
>     CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization. Do
>     not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
>     sender and know the content is safe.
>
>     Hi Ryan,
>
>     I hope the discussion can continue.
>
>     For instance... Which one of those 20 condos on that hypothetical
>     single lot gets the ADU? The first one to apply?
>
>     Where on the lot it would be placed, if it were to be a detached
>     unit, could make for some lively condo board meetings. (and
>     litigation...)
>
>     Could a building permit be issued without the express written
>     "permission" of the Association?
>
>     So many questions...
>
>     Happy Valentines Friday!
>
>     H. LaCortiglia
>     Georgetown
>
>     On 2/13/2025 8:40 AM, Ryan, Christopher wrote:
>
>         Hi Harry
>
>         Great last question. Our Counsel opined that only one
>         Protected Use ADU per legal lot can be established, so if the
>         condo was on one lot and had 20 units, only one ADU would be
>         permitted. Of course, the Condo R&Rs would need some level of
>         specificity (likely lacking now) that would facilitate how
>         that could be done. They also deemed the “primary dwelling” to
>         be the largest of the buildings on the lot. I am not sure of
>         that rationale, but hopefully we keep this analysis and
>         discussion going.
>
>         Best,
>
>         Chris R.
>
>         Town of Belmont
>
>         *From:*MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>
>         <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf ,*
>
>         *Of *Harry LaCortiglia via MassPlanners
>         *Sent:* Thursday, February 13, 2025 8:24 AM
>         *To:* massplanners at masscptc.org
>         *Subject:* [EXTERNAL]Re: [Massplanners] ADU Units
>
>         CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the
>         organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
>         you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>
>         Is it Friday already?
>
>         There is a mention in the final regs (CMR 71.03 (2) (d)) under
>         /Prohibited Regulations,/ that Protected Use ADU's can't count
>         in density calculations.
>
>         /(d) Unit Caps & Density. Any limit, quota or other
>         restriction on the number of Protected
>         Use ADUs that may be permitted, constructed, or leased within
>         a Municipality or Zoning
>         District. *Protected Use ADUs shall not be counted in any
>         density calculations.*/
>
>         So, do ADU's only count when one is _not_ using the number for
>         a density calculation? ("Density Calculations" is not defined
>         in 71.02...)
>
>         Perhaps EOHLC will someday clarify... I'm still wondering if
>         every condo in a multi condo development can have their very
>         own ADU.
>
>         H. LaCortiglia
>         Georgetown P.B.
>
>         On 2/12/2025 3:30 PM, Richard McCarthy via MassPlanners wrote:
>
>             Good afternoon,
>
>             I believe an ADU will count towards our total dwelling
>             unit count. Is that correct?
>
>             Thanks.
>
>             Richard J. McCarthy, Jr.
>
>             Town Planner
>
>             1 Liberty Lane
>
>             Norfolk, MA 02056
>
>             508-440-2807
>
>             Office Hours- Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm
>
>             Closed Fridays
>
>             *As a reminder, please do not reply all to this email. If
>             you have any questions or comments, email me directly. *
>
>             **
>
>             *Please be advised that the Secretary of State has
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>             employees is a public record.*
>
>
>
>
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