Granny Flats in San Diego

[BUGGAR]

They are promoting the construction of granny flats in San Diego. They have a pre-approved plan you can use for easy permitting.
To quote:
“These are plans designed by a certified architect that they’re making publicly available,” Elyse Lowe, the city’s development services director, told the committee. “It’s essentially free construction drawings.”

 

[canwesteng]

I don't see the harm. Certainly would be better than the plans some builders make for houses built prescriptively up here, as a building professional has reviewed them.

 

[CWB1]

Are these not single family homes or what is unique about them?

 

[MotorCity]

I assume the plans are being offered to use on a "at your own risk" basis.
So if you choose to use these plans, presumably you are the EOR or the AOR taking responsibility for their use as opposed to the original certified architect that designed these plans?

 

[TenPenny]

What is the ethical question?

 

[BUGGAR]

I did some more research. The City went out for public bids for Architectural services and chose about three Architects who prepared the pre-approved designs for the alternative dwelling units. All legal, ethical, and looks like a good idea. I'm checking out the designs, now. It's the City of Encinitas with this program. The plans are on the internet.
I have a call in to one of the Architects (I might build one).

 

[CWB1]

Not a SE/CE so rather confused, what is unique about these? They appear to be just another free variation on the pre-engineered house plans commonly sold (occasionally free) at most hardware stores.