In fact, there's been meager public response so far to a pilot program that enables residents to build detached or attached granny units on their properties.

The San Jose City Council adopted an ordinance on Nov. 29 that allows up to 100 permits to be issued to homeowners so they can build new secondary units. The limited pilot program started Jan. 2 and runs through Dec. 31. City officials have said the units are an affordable way to house senior citizens or their caretakers.

The program also allows the owners of existing granny units that comply with the approved requirements to obtain a secondary-unit permit. These applications will not count against the 100-permit limit.

"People with illegal units are being encouraged to apply to legalize their units," said senior planner John Davidson, with the city of San Jose's Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement.

Davidson said the majority of people inquiring about the program have been interested in adding a new unit, rather than having an existing unit legalized.

Of the units that have been accepted to the program, Davidson said, one came from West San Jose, one from the Berryessa area, one from Willow Glen and another from the Almaden Valley. He added that the initial significant interest for the program came from Willow Glen residents because the neighborhood has a lot of longer, deeper lots where detached secondary units could work well.

Davidson expects a few more preliminary reviews to come from Willow Glen but hasn't had any from the Rose Garden. He said this is surprising, since many of the Rose Garden lots are similar to those in Willow Glen.

While Davidson said the department had hoped to book 10 appointments a week with property owners wanting to join the program, last week it had only seven preliminary reviews. Of the seven, only two resulted in granny units or backyard cottages that qualified.

"It's pretty slow. We might get to the 100 total permits issued, but if the city issues 100 permits, it will take the full year," Davidson said.

He also said people booking appointments through the development services call center have actually been coming in for more preliminary information, asking basic questions about the process and wanting to understand the rules.

"They are not really ready," he said. "It's the sort of initial information stage to find out if they qualify. Probably about half of those who express an interest don't qualify."

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to schedule an appointment. However, applicants can schedule a preliminary review with planning staff members for free before submitting an application.

For more information and a list of the pilot program's rules, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/. To schedule an appointment for an application for a secondary unit, call 408.535.3555. For more information, email John Davidson at john.davidson@sanjoseca.gov or leave a message at 408.535.7801.