Date: January 17, 2019
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Clarification and Discussion of ADU ordinance
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission provides clarification as to the intent and impact of changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations.
Summary Report:
On January 8, 2019, the City Council considered the ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to change Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations. The ordinance passed on first reading by a 5-2 vote, but the Council has asked for some changes and clarification of a couple points. The ordinance was not remanded to the Planning Commission. It can be passed on second reading with modifications from the first reading.
The minor changes requested were to clarify that all ADUs must be connected to municipal services and to add language for direct pedestrian access to the ADU. There was considerable discussion over the allowable size of units. Concerns were raised about allowing large homes to have an ADU up to half of their size and whether an accessory unit larger than many standard homes is really an accessory unit. There was also confusion over whether the limitation is on total floor area or the footprint of the unit.
The following language was in the council report and the planning commission reports:
Allowing free-standing ADUs, separate from a garage triggers different provisions for size limitations. An ADU should be subordinate in size to the primary residence or it would not be considered accessory. Northfield has a 30% Building Area Ratio limit, which is the area of a lot covered by the footprint of a principal building, detached garage, and covered porches, expressed as a percentage of the total lot area. Excluding ADUs from this limit, combined with a unit size limit of 50% of the size of the primary residence or 1,000 square feet (whichever is greater) should allow ADUs to be placed on most residential lots and increase overall c...
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