There was no shortage of questions during Tuesday night’s town hall on accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.

Jess Mays, a senior planner for the city of Birmingham, said the session — the first of six in June — was an exploratory mission to involve the community in a conversation about where and under what conditions the secondary housing units might be used in the city.

“Right now, our planning team is exploring having an accessory dwelling unit ordinance,” Mays said. “The city does not currently have an official ADU ordinance in the books. Right now, ADUs are allowed in our Urban Neighborhood District, D4, and then our mixed-use districts. But they are treated more as just an accessory structure than an actual ADU. We are looking into drafting an official ADU ordinance for the city.”

The city is not taking a proposal to the town halls. “This is very much a process that we’re wanting to do with the community,” Mays said. “We want this ordinance to be something that y’all want, that y’all support, that y’all feel comfortable with.”

Carmen Mays, who is no relation to the planner but is Birmingham City Councilor Brian Gunn’s chief of staff, said the notion of an additional dwelling on her property has dollar signs floating in her head.

“I think this is an opportunity for those of us who own homes and those of us who hope to own homes to have this option so we can increase our income and work to see if we can catch up to what we missed out on due to the Great Recession, the COVID pandemic and all the crazy things that (have) happened,” the West End Manor resident said.

Jason Avery said talk of ADUs prompted him to think about his mother-in-law. “I love my mother-in-law,” the Woodlawn man said.

Dan Kessler, a Crestwood North resident, also pointed to a shortage of accessible housing in Birmingham, as well as across the state and country.

“I think this could be an opportunity to increase the supply of accessible housing,” he said, “especially if we’re talking about people who may be older who may be moving into one of these units or you may have a family member with a disability who’s looking for some independence.”

Kessler wondered whether ADUs have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in terms of providing accessibility. Jess Mays said that would be up to private property owners.

“I do imagine a lot of these are going to be for our senior community and for aging parents,” the senior planner said. “I would think that they would be accessible just because that’s what you’re going to want to see.”

Kessler also asked about potential setback requirements for ADUs. Jess Mays said that’s something to be determined.

“The current ordinance requires an accessory structure to be 3 feet from the property line, 5 feet if it opens into an alley,” she said. “That would be something we’d like to hear from y’all. How far would the community like it set back?”

Victoria Lewis of Penfield Park asked how an ADU might impact the taxes of the house on the same property. She said short-term rentals have been a concern of hers.

Other concerns centered on absentee landlords and parking for residents of ADUs.

Birmingham City Councilors Brian Gunn and Darrell O’Quinn attended Tuesday’s meeting, held in Woodlawn for residents of the eastern side. Other town halls have been scheduled during the next two weeks to talk with residents about their thoughts on regulations for ADUs. The sessions are as follows:

• South Side: Avondale Public Library; 509 40th St. South; Thursday, June 11, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Central (Livestream Available): Birmingham Public Library–Central Branch; 2100 Park Place; Tuesday, June 16, 2 p.m.  to 3 p.m.
• North Side: North Birmingham Public Library, 2501 31st Ave. North; Wednesday, June 17, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Virtual (Microsoft Teams): Tuesday, June 23; 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• West Side: 5 Points West Public Library; 4812 Ave. West; Tuesday, June 30, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A city website provides more information about ADUs and the upcoming town halls.