“Very discouraged”: Granny-flat bill collapses in Huntington

Pedophiles. Criminals. Migrants. Community character.

These were among the concerns cited by residents in the town of Huntington in response to an effort to allow accessory dwelling units in the area. The result was predictable.

A proposed law allowing homeowners to convert basements or garages into rentals — often referred to as ADUs or granny flats — was killed because of residents’ resistance, New York Focus reported. There’s little momentum for the proposal to be revived.

Supported by two colleagues, Councilmember Joan Cergol had put forth the measure to expand the town’s housing stock. The supporters represented a majority of council members, so the measure appeared to be in good shape.

A vitriolic town meeting last month changed that. Opposition ranged from blatant bigotry and racism to more genteelly expressed concerns, such as a desire to maintain single-family zoning and limit density in the town of 200,000.

“That night, my mind was changed,” said Council member Sal Ferro, whose reversal killed the bill. The town supervisor opposes the measure and Cergol is leaving her seat at the end of the year.

“I’m very discouraged,” Cergol said of the setback. “I’m just disappointed.”

Huntington could certainly use more housing. Only 149 housing permits were issued last year and only 26 have been awarded this year. Residents young and old are struggling to afford homes, while local businesses can’t find workers who live nearby.

Many of the NIMBYist feelings prevalent at the town hall surfaced when Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed in January requiring towns to grow their housing stock by 1 percent annually; for Huntington, that would have been 2,000 homes in three years.

But lawmakers and local officials, particularly on Long Island, fought Hochul’s plan, which the state legislature declined to pass. Localities could pursue elements of it on their own, including allowing accessory dwelling units, but the Huntington episode showed the uphill battle they face.

— Holden Walter-Warner

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