Business Week describes the increasing number of couples who must care for their aging parents. Should Montville revise its zoning to permit separate dwelling units on one lot?
Many members of the "sandwich generation," who now find themselves responsible for the welfare of both their parents and children, are embracing such living arrangements that were more common a few generations ago.
Even if the generations agree on a shared residence, you have to check local regulations. Zoning restrictions often prohibit converting a garage into living space, building a backyard cottage, or adding a separate apartment in neighborhoods of single-family residences. Nevertheless, a number of communities are modifying their zoning laws to encourage such dwellings, and AARP is pushing model legislation in jurisdictions around the country.
NO. With the sea of condos and the rental apartments Rachel Gardens, we have enough.
The thought of your extended family living with you is nice.
A McMansion would fit the bill of a place for everyone in the family under one roof....with privacy for all. It is being done all over town.
If you allow cottages or carriage houses built on large parcels of land it will eventually become rental income.
Transients are not welcome. The problems they bring to a town are endless.
You try to be nice and it snowballs into bungalow heaven.
What's next, set up a double-wide for the in-laws??? NO.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 6, 2007 4:17 PM
Quite obviously, "Anonymous" has never been in the situation where one has to care for a parent. If the space exists, if there is no or little impact on the environment or "esthetics" of our high-class town, why not???
There was an article in the Sunday papers just recently, describing the way homeowners utilize garages, and other structures .
Carriage houses are being inhabited in similar communities, admittedly not in #1, but why not???
Is it such a big deal?
Terry Cavanaugh
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 6, 2007 4:49 PM
Snobby Anonymous who says "transients are not welcome"....what do you think about the people in Rachel Gardens?
Are they beneath you because they don't live in a McMansion like you?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 6, 2007 5:15 PM
Properly regulated and with a concern for zoning and lot coverage you could allow for mother daughter type additions or even a redesign of the interior to allow for separate living areas for either parents or children without getting involved with cottages or apartments over a separate garage. Many people do it right now and with no harm to the neighbors. Rental type of additions can be regulated but the definition of a family member is pretty fluid according to the Courts so it has to be approached with a good deal of caution.
Posted by
Dan Grant
on
August 6, 2007 6:46 PM
An apartment above a seperate garage is a good idea. It gives both familys their own entrance and privacy. I've seen to many marriages go on the rocks because one set of parents lives in the house with them.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 6, 2007 11:33 PM
I had my dad move into my McMansion. He stayed four years until he passed away. All he needed was the spare bedroom and some storage space.
I'm assuming many prefer to care for mom or dad as long as there is a buffer isolating him/hre from the family.
This is not a criticism, since it's not always a walk in the park integrating a new member of the family set in their ways.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 10, 2007 5:11 PM
Isn't 'McMansion' just a nasty name for a house that's bigger than the one you live in?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 10, 2007 5:38 PM
McMansion is a term for an over-sized, cookie cutter, over-priced, and usually ugly house.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 12, 2007 8:35 AM
Guess you can't afford a McMansion.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 12, 2007 4:37 PM
My response has nothing to do with the ability to afford one, was just supplying a definition.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 13, 2007 8:27 AM
You do not even need a McMansion to have the extended family living with you. Most homes with 3 or more bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms is all you really need.
Glad to know that families are moving back to the time where extended families was the norm. Seeing these large homes with only 2 or 3 people in them is a shame.
My parents will be welcome along with my mom in-law any time if need be! Family first.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 16, 2007 2:56 PM
The remarks about Mc Mansions and how many people live in a home is simply a waste of time. People live how they can afford to and perhaps some do like to keep up with the Jones. With that said, I do not feel people living in apartments are any less better or worse. That is being judgmental and very childish. It shows how ignorant people can be. This town pretty much cleaned up those that do not belong by law already. I do not see anything wrong with separate carriage house's on ones property. There are guidelines and laws to protect that one neighbor upkeep a property inline with it's neighbors. Rental income or extended family occupying same should be no problem. The mention of double wide's is another comment that is just not needed and will never happen in this town. Come on folks, stick together when it means family stays together and do not be so judgmental as it could be you ONE day facing this situation.
