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File 2002006 Page 3 placed on lots that may be too small to support two dwelling units, as well as the additional parking that would be needed for the accessory dwelling unit. 3. ANALYSIS: The origin of this proposed amendment is the Housing Plan and Implementation Plan of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The stated purpose of the Housing Plan is to establish standards, plans, and programs to meet existing and projected housing needs in Plymouth and to identify strategies to promote the development of affordable and life-cycle housing. The Implementation Plan sets forth the actions and strategies that the City will take to implement the plans, programs, and policies established by the Comprehensive Plan. One of the strategies of the Implementation Plan states that the City should consider amending the text of the Zoning Ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family detached residential zoning districts. An accessory dwelling unit or "granny flat" as it is sometimes called, is a self-contained dwelling unit that is clearly subordinate to use of the lot asa single-family detached residence. The rationale for allowing accessory dwelling units is that they can provide both additional life-cycle housing and additional affordable housing, notably affordable rental housing. According to the Metropolitan Council, Plymouth has fewer affordable rental units than the regional benchmark for developed area suburbs. Plymouth has less than 10 percent affordable rental units versus the regional benchmark of 35 percent. Although the data indicates a large need for affordable housing, the construction of additional affordable housing is a major challenge, based on high land and construction costs. The regulations would allow one accessory dwelling unit on a single-family detached lot, provided that the subdivision where the accessory dwelling unit would be located 1) is zoned RSF-l, RSF-2, or PUD, 2) was created on or after June 1, 2001, and 3) contains ten or more single-family lots. At the present time, the following subdivisions would be eligible for accessory dwelling units: . Seven Greens PUD, approved on June 26, 2001 and containing 70 single-family lots that would be eligible (and 50 townhouse lots that would not be eligible). . Glacier Vista PUD, approved on September 25, 2001 and containing 15 single-family lots that would be eligible (and 32 townhouse lots that would not be eligible). The regulations would require that the owner of the property reside in either the principal dwelling unit or the accessory dwelling unit. Limiting the rental to one of the two units would limit the change in tenure within the neighborhood. To ensure proper upkeep, the regulations require compliance with the City's Housing Maintenance Code. The regulations would also require that the accessory unit be located above an attached or detached garage and not exceed the size of the principal dwelling unit or l,OOO square feet in area, whichever is less. The location above a garage would be required 1) because, due to , I