The literal housing landscape of Albuquerque could be changing in response to the housing crisis, and whether that’s for better or worse depends on the guardrails the Albuquerque City Council bakes into any zoning change to the city’s Integrated Development Ordinance. The council delayed until next month a vote on dramatic changes Mayor Tim Keller has proposed to the city’s zoning code. The mayor’s proposal would allow duplexes and detached accessory dwelling units — often called casitas, granny flats, in-law units or backyard bungalows — in single-family home neighborhoods. As the amended iteration stands, casitas could be no more than 750 square feet, take up no more than 25% of the side and rear yards combined, and be no higher than the height of the main house.

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