Mower County residents likely won’t have more options when caring for elderly or needy loved ones.

The Mower County Planning Commission discussed and denied an ordinance to allow apartments or secondary houses on properties called Accessory Dwelling Units.

The units are meant to care for elderly and needy relatives.

“I don’t think (the commission) felt comfortable with the concept,” said Angie Knish, environmental services director.

The units, sometimes called “Grannyflats,” are meant for families to house elderly grandparents nearby on rural properties so they don’t have to enter a nursing home.

“We’re trying to give alternatives to people who are caregiving,” Knish said.

Home owners will still have options. The commission will review applications on a case-by-case basis, according to Knish.

There are limitations on building in rural areas to keep land for farming, however.

“It’s an ag business area,” Knish said.

Not everyone will be able to build a unit on their properties. Residents will have to prove they have a need and build according to certain restrictions. It’s not going to be easy to build the units.

“There are some pretty tight restrictions on it,” Knish said.

Residents have to meet the standards of a variance, which can be difficult depending on the unit.

Even if the ordinance had passed, Knish said she expected very few Accessory Dwelling Units in the county. There is a need for it, however, as three people have approached Knish about building a unit over the past six months.

A similar ordinance was approved when Knish worked in Waseca County. A family had wanted to build a dwelling for their deaf daughter to live independently. However, the family wanted the woman close by so they could warn if there was a tornado or other serious event.

Knish said such units are a more generational thing, and there have been more of them recently.

“I think it will help people who really want to do this,” she said.