ADU Survey Results

kathrynrygg
Apr 14
3 min read

April 2026

Last month, we asked you to participate in a survey. We wondered how you felt about ADUs for Penfield. Here are the results.

Can you imagine yourself either living in an ADU or building an ADU at any point in the future?

22 responses

If you answered yes to Q#1, what is appealing to you?

If you answered no, why not?

13 responses

We have space in our basement for an apartment and might like to rent to a caretaker or tenant who would help with household and yard chores as we age.
Ability to move to right sized housing without buying a new home
We already own an ADU, a home with an in-law apartment, and love it!!!!
Price, simplicity
possibly as a grandparent helping with children (although my grandchildren are out of state)
Living near but not with my children. Smaller footprint, let some family buy my house - I don't need this much room. I don't want an apartment, I want a garden and pets.
Being close to a family member or friend
I like my current townhome option and hope to age in place right here
don't want to
Aging in place and/or providing housing for others
At one point I considered building an ADU for my mother. Being able to provide independence for her while still having some oversight was appealing.
Living closer to children so they can help me when needed and vice versa, but still allowing each of us privacy and our own space
Ideal for downsizing and aging in place with close proximity to family or friends being able to check in

Do you think more flexible ADUs (detached or attached, possibly occupied by non-relatives) are right for Penfield?

22 responses

Why or why not?

20 responses

Allow people to afford to stay in their homes and collect rent or move into the smaller dwelling with less up keep and let adult children live in the larger home with family.
It improves flexibility for aging in place or young people starting out who may have grown up here.
There are numerous older adults living in large houses because it is cheaper. This helps create a housing shortage for families. If they could move into an ADU on the property or even rent part of their home, it would ease that burden and also provide additional income for the senior living on limited income
They afford many opportunities for both lower income housing and increased income for the homeowner.
No detached... residents cannot even have a 2nd shed on their property, despite having the space and separate living buildings are being considered? NO
Supports multi-generational living, maximizes existing infrastructure and promote sustainable land use. All these things are beneficial for our community.
Good for all! Pros outweigh Cons
Penfield needs to get out of the Stone Age!
we need more dense and diverse housing
Many houses have large lots with space for an ADU, infill instead of bulldozing more woods.
Lots if large properties around single family homes
They seem to be a good option for certain populations. The question is where and what land would be consumed. We have so many developments right now and I hate to see greenspace disappear.
It all depends on the tenants. As a single family homeowner, I don’t know how I would feel if my neighbors built ADUs next door.
hurts property values
Penfield needs more housing options and ADUs are a great place to start!
It makes sense for all the reasons stated in the e-mail: It allows seniors to age in place, it makes it more possible for greater diversity, it gives more opportunities for younger adults or couples who may not otherwise be able to afford suburban living.
agreeing to more ADUs would depend on regulations that guide their development: available parking at a home without taking the homesite look like a parking lot; integration into the neighborhood, how many ADUs could be added in a defined area, ie density of housing, ie how much is good and how much is too much
The population you highlight does need affordable housing which is not available in Penfield.
It would provide financial security and income to the homeowner and help address the affordable housing crisis
It’s a great way to add desirable housing in Penfield