Patton Township, like many communities in Centre County, is running into a problem: there just isn’t enough housing. Rents are high, young professionals and essential workers are being priced out, and seniors looking to downsize can’t find nearby options. But there’s a solution that’s small, smart, and homeowner-friendly: Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs.
Read the full report to Patton Township about ADUs here: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Patton Township Report 2025.04.22
So, what’s an ADU?
An ADU is a second, smaller home on the same lot as a main house. It could be a backyard cottage, a finished basement apartment, or even a unit above a garage. People also call them granny flats, in-law suites, or carriage houses.
The key idea? It gives homeowners a flexible way to add housing—for a relative, a renter, or even just extra space for themselves.
Why ADUs Make Sense for Patton Township
Here’s the thing: not everyone wants big apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods—and that’s fair. But we still need more housing. ADUs are the gentle way to grow. One unit at a time. No bulldozers. No sprawl. Just more options for the people already living here.
Plus, ADUs help:
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🧑⚕️ Nurses, teachers, and young workers afford to live near their jobs
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👵 Seniors stay close to family and age in place
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🏡 Homeowners earn rental income or increase their property value
Turning NIMBY into YMY: Yes My Yard
A big reason people push back on housing is fear—fear of change, fear of losing control. But ADUs give control to homeowners. You don’t have to build one—but you can if you want. It’s your yard, your choice.
That’s why I call it “Yes My Yard” zoning. It’s not about giving power to developers—it’s about giving flexibility to neighbors.
What I’m Proposing
I just submitted a report to Patton Township that recommends:
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Letting homeowners build one ADU per property
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Allowing them in all residential zones (R1, R2, R3)
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Streamlining the approval process for simple ADUs
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Requiring Planning Commission review only for special cases
A Step Toward Smart, Local Growth
This isn’t about changing what makes Patton Township special. It’s about protecting it—by making sure people who work here, grew up here, or want to stay here can actually afford to live here.
ADUs won’t solve every housing issue, but they’re a low-impact, high-benefit step in the right direction.
Read the full report to Patton Township about ADUs here: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Patton Township Report 2025.04.22
