La Crosse launches ADU design challenge with grant funds

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The City of La Crosse received nearly $20,000 through a community challenge grant aimed at making communities more livable for those over 50, AARP Wisconsin announced Monday. The grant recipients include eight communities from across the state.

Earlier this year, La Crosse passed an ordinance allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as "granny flats," which are secondary units sharing the same lot as a larger, primary home.

They are often used to allow older relatives to live closer to their families, making caregiving more convenient.

The city plans to use the funds to launch a challenge aimed at designing ADUs. Lewis Kuhlman, the Environmental Planner for La Crosse, said creating a pre-made template would simplify the implementation process for residents.

"We'd like to pick the top, you know, 3 to 5 designs and actually develop building plans for those so people can kind of hit the ground running if they wanted to build it, and understand their expenses and everything," said Kuhlman.

He said the city plans to begin accepting designs sometime in July and hopes to select the final designs by the end of 2024.

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