New guide explains how-tos of accessory homes

SALISBURY — Residents of Salisbury and two other towns will soon have published guidelines on how to create accessory apartments, thanks to a grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

The Tri-Corner Alliance, an initiative of the foundation, announced last month a program to promote the creation of accessory apartments in Salisbury, Sharon and Norfolk, to be administered by the Northwestern Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative’s Jocelyn Ayer.

The pilot project is funded by a $25,000 grant from an anonymous donor.

During the deliberations of the Salisbury Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, the idea of creating accessory apartments as an initial step in creating affordable housing units has become attractive to committee members.

An accessory apartment is a self-contained housing unit that may either be a segment of the main residence or in a separate structure such as a garage on the property of a single-family home.

Accessory apartments are a relatively easy and immediate way to provide units. No new construction is involved, nor changes to the landscape — hurdles that often derail projects.

Ayer has been working with fellow planner Chris Wood on assessing the potential for affordable housing in the towns participating in the collaborative — Cornwall, Falls Village, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon.

And with this grant, the planners can get more specific.

“This goes beyond just putting a guidebook in people’s hands,� said Ayer. “We’re trying to clear any barriers, and trying to determine the best support mechanism� for homeowners hoping to create an accessory apartment.

Ayer is also looking at results from other parts of New England. A similar program in Brattleboro, Vt., yielded good — and surprising — results.

“They thought the older people living alone in big houses would be most interested, but more often it was younger people living in smaller homes who were looking for extra income or even to avoid foreclosure� who participated.

Ayer said she would like to find a group of interested people to get started with, to offer suggestions and feedback as the guidelines are written.

“I hope to have a version done by the end of the summer,� she said. “And certainly a final version by the end of the year.�

The guides, written specifically for each of the three towns, will take homeowners step by step from design and permits to financing and finding appropriate tenants. Ayer will set up a meeting with town officials to introduce the guides and set up a distribution system. The guides will also be available at the towns’ Web sites.