Date: November 15, 2018
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Ordinance Zoning Text Amendment - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Body
Action Requested:
Staff requests the Planning Commission hold a public hearing on recommended changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations and forward a recommendation of approval to City Council.
Summary Report:
At its October 18, 2018, meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed and commented on the existing Accessory Dwelling Unit language in the Land Development Code (LDC). The attached draft ordinance encapsulates that discussion as recommended changes to the LDC.
Background:
As part of the Planning Commission work plan and the City Council Strategic Plan, which also coincides with the HRA's goals, the Planning Commission is looking at the regulations regarding ADUs in an effort to grow and maintain affordable housing. Northfield's popularity and high quality of life makes it an attractive place to live, thereby increasing demand for all housing types. The limited availability of vacant developable land within city limits places upward pressure on both home prices and rental rates. One result of this has been an increased interest by home owners in building accessory units. ADUs have the potential to increase housing affordability (both for homeowners and tenants), create a wider range of affordable housing options within the community, provide additional income for homeowners, enable seniors to stay near family as they age, and facilitate better use of the existing housing fabric in established neighborhoods.
The Planning Commission discussed the issue at its meeting on July 19, 2018. At the meeting, the Commission concurred that expansion of the use of ADUs is desirable in Northfield and posed a series of questions for staff to research. Answers to these questions were provided at the August 23, 2018, meeting where the Commission helped to formulate the ordinance revi...
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