Will Provo Seniors Benefit From Proposed "two-kitchen" Ordinance?

The Salt Lake Tribune recently reported on a proposed Provo ordinance that would make it easier for individuals over the age of 65 to add a second kitchen to their residence for an unrelated renter.  The idea behind the ordinance is to help seniors who want to stay in their homes do so more easily by renting out part of the house for additional rental income, or by providing an apartment for an unrelated live-in caregiver. 

Often, the only realistic option for seniors who struggle to remain independent because of low income, disease, frailty or other health issues is to move in with a family member or into an Assisted Living Facility.  While these options have benefits and can be right for some seniors, they're not always the best option.  Just put yourself in their shoes for a minute, and it's not difficult to see why staying in your own home is so attractive.

The Tribune also reported that the current process in Provo for adding a kitchen to a residence for an unrelated renter requires (1) a zoning board approval, (2) a building inspection, and (3) a business licence.  If this new ordinance passes, seniors could simply register with the city the fact that they are adding a second kitchen for an unrelated renter.  As one would expect, there are some safeguards in the proposed ordinance that will help prevent abuse of the registry and preserve the original purpose of the law: to help seniors stay in their homes longer. 

However, there are those who object to this proposed ordinance.  Its opponents suggest that despite these safeguards, it will be used by landlords to short-circuit the current processes which have been put in place for time-tested reasons.  One opponent even suggested that this new ordinance is paternalistic.  Do you agree?

I belive that such an ordiance could be very helpful.  In my experience, the red tape that one must currently cut through in order to help a senior stay in their home is excessive.  The fact of the matter is, working through local government for ANYONE can be more of an ordeal than it is worth.  Anything that can help seniors stay in their homes longer is worth exploring.  Rather than creating roadblocks, we should be imaginatively exploring solutions.