City Council Meeting Date: May 21, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Mitzi Baker, Community Development Director
Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Discussion on changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council holds discussion on the proposed ordinance revision and provides guidance to staff.
Summary Report:
On January 8, 2019, the City Council passed Ordinance 1000 (Attachment 3) on first reading, with a request for clarification on certain items. Staff subsequently performed more analysis and public outreach and provided additional options to Council. Following the April 9, 2019 Council work session, staff developed a REVISED Ordinance for consideration (Attachment 2). To the extent possible, the revisions incorporate direction received during the April 9th work session discussion. Below is the information provided at the last meeting in response to items that would benefit from clarification.
UPDATE:
After the last work session, staff has deleted some language that caused confusion. Removing section (j) is intended to eliminate some confusion and use of terms not currently in the MN State Building Code or local ordinances, while maintaining flexibility in housing types so long as they conform to applicable building codes as specified in the definition for Accessory Dwelling Unit. The updated ordinance is included as Attachment 1.
Measuring area of structure:
Several questions arose regarding methods for measuring structure, terms and what areas of a building are/are not included. Terms previously referenced in this discussion include "gross living area" and "living area". "Gross Living Area" is a term that is applied by Rice County and conveys the livable space above grade (excludes basements).
Following the most recent Council discussion on the topic, staff reviewed options for terminology and concluded the best course is to use language consistent with terms th...
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