Although I have concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Accessory Dwelling Unit section to the city’s zoning and the suggested amendments by petitioners, I write in support of Councilor John Garrett’s proposal to revise our existing ordinance allowing ADUs. But first, a little history.

I proposed the original ADU ordinance in 2014 or 2015 while I was a Planning Board member and chairwoman of the board. Before that, there was no legal way to have two single or duplex dwellings on a single lot. All seven parts of Section A, the Purpose, included at the time and that remain in today’s version were the motivations of the board in putting this section into the ordinance. Those items were discussed at length as we crafted the language in the ordinance.

Of particular interest for many of us was the rationale for item number 2, regarding our older residents. Importantly, we wanted “more options” for housing in Greenfield, but we felt strongly that one of the dwellings had to be owner-occupied. City resident Al Norman was against the ordinance then as he is today. What opponents seem to misunderstand now as they did then is that having this section in our zoning ordinance forces no one to have an ADU. If you don’t want to have one, don’t build one. If your neighbor does want a detached ADU and you don’t like it, the existing ordinance has a special permit status, which requires a public hearing and site plan review. Today, the governor sees this differently. And our zoning ordinance must comply with the law so those in charge of enforcement can enforce it.

The amendment proposed by Mr. Norman to require 50 percent open space is intended to prevent ADUs in many zones in Greenfield as most lots are only one-quarter acre or slightly larger. Other proposed amendments are similarly problematic as they are intended to discourage the building of ADUs in Greenfield.

I believe that the concern as it relates to Greenfield about outside developers taking over single-family lots to make maximum use of the property for profit is overblown. While it may happen in larger cities and towns and those closer to MBTA stops, it is highly unlikely here. Should it happen here, I think the city would want to look closely at the project as it could be good for increased housing. Then they could use the enforcement powers in our ordinance to work with the developer.

The City Council should pass those changes to the ADU that bring our zoning ordinance into compliance with Massachusetts General Laws.

Roxann Wedegartner is the former mayor of Greenfield.