West Lafayette holds off on ‘granny flat’ vote as neighborhood protest simmers

City council delays vote Monday, promises meetings on ‘accessory dwelling unit’ concept. Neighbors waste no time sounding off now. Plus, county sets up land use study of Wea, Sheffield townships.

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WEST LAFAYETTE HOLDS OFF ON ‘GRANNY FLAT’ VOTE AS NEIGHBORHOOD PROTEST SIMMERS

West Lafayette tapped the brakes Monday on a proposal that would clear the way for “accessory dwelling units” in residential neighborhoods as a way to deal with the city’s ongoing housing shortage.

City council members tabled a vote on the proposed change in zoning codes until March, saying they needed a few months to hold public meetings to sort out questions about density in near-campus neighborhoods that had given rise in recent days to a petition, pushback from West Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission members and grumbling from residents – particularly those from the New Chauncey Neighborhood – filling council chambers at City Hall Monday night.

“I would like to support this ordinance,” council member Kathy Parker said. “But I do think it’s important to get this right, so that we don’t create more problems than we already have.”