Accessory Dwelling Units are smaller, independent units on the same lot as single-family homes. Other names include “accessory apartments” or “mother-in-law units.”
MOLINE, Ill. — Homeowners in Moline could soon be allowed to build an additional living space on their property.
The City is considering a proposal that would allow homeowners to add accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, on their property. An ADU is “a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone single-family home,” according to the American Planning Association (APA). They are also known as accessory apartments, mother-in-law units, granny flats, and secondary suites. They can help increase housing options within a community, the APA says, and also provide additional living space for the homeowner.
“We’ve had a housing crisis for many years, it’s only gotten worse,” Moline’s Community and Economic Development Director Chris Mathias said. “We need more housing types for people in the city. We need more places for people to live.”
The ordinance being considered by the City would allow those living on single-family zoned lots above 6,500 square feet to build an ADU. This includes anything from garages being converted into a guest suite or a separate apartment in the basement or attic. The ADU must be less than 1,000 square feet and designed to match the home. The City tried to pass an ADU ordinance back in 2022 but it failed because a housing rental inspection program for the ADUs had not been established. That program has since started.
“For some of those people, this could be a way to support their families and to get more income coming in,” Mathias said.
However, not everyone is on board with the proposal.
“It could be two people living there, two different additional cars, where are you going to park them?” Diann Moore, a lifelong Moline resident, said. “I’m afraid people are going to be leaving Moline instead of flocking to Moline.”
Mathias isn’t so worried, saying that he doesn’t anticipate there being that many made.
“We may see five to 10 of them over the course of five years,” he said. “I wouldn’t anticipate that we’re going to have an ADU on every street in Moline, but I do think it is giving people another option.”
The ordinance will go before the planning commission for a public hearing Wednesday night. It will then be discussed at the next three City Council meetings with a vote expected in six to eight weeks.
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