[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655960,"mediaKeyId","5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6","parentId",5356414,"title","Colfax council introduces ADU ordinance update amid debate over short-term rentals","audioSeconds",1749,"startMs",1718000,"endMs",3467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6&start=1718&end=3467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6/thumbnail_1718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655960/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Colfax-council-introduces-ADU-ordinance-update-amid-debate-over-short-term-rentals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655960-418819c08e3c34c97e5c6c1a68452b64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140950&Signature=LgoyFimaV23HQdj8z9XkkIGFNpnziK5fqeD8NRkehZCbrz526ej4qbwsTbeqapqXxzlUf4a82vHVPMoDu-uCxpwwWlPXAq8Q-cg~4sQYLzJlgo4eVdeFxwntDMz~ei~Zyug9D8M942QzOV0CSkyNmA0xulZPEjGcx6a0FYSvRmx7Chm3vJFd5drlTOF7JGnf9VF5LY-ZV2OL1W~d1999ko6nVFreveAbZBlEyPSFt94A7U~3gU9AVixb6rWEZrWlsOyMLNhBC~xj25Q1MF0ST5lIL3Tx~tfJVKfsG2fBLwcM5Ehs9RkSMtsKAyw6lvFacVYQqScpjLMqtg~sQPtm8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Colfax","date","2025-07-10T20:16:06.847Z","article","Colfax City Council introduced an ordinance on July 9 to update the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to be substantially consistent with a model ordinance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The council opened a public hearing, heard from city planning consultant Kathy Pease and several residents, and directed staff to return with a final ordinance for adoption at the July 23 meeting.

The proposed update would repeal the city's existing ADU ordinance adopted during the 2023 zoning code overhaul and replace it with language reflecting recent state guidance. Kathy Pease, the city's planning consultant, said the model ordinance narrows local discretion on some items and requires the building department to process ADU permit applications within 60 days. \"The item before you tonight is an update of our accessory dwelling unit ordinance,\" Pease told the council.

Why it matters: ADU rules affect how many smaller, typically lower-cost units can be built on single-family lots and how quickly permitting occurs. The state's model is intended to make it easier to build ADUs, but some council members and residents raised concerns about unintended local impacts, especially the potential for ADUs to be used as short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) rather than long-term housing.

Discussion highlights and staff direction

- Short-term rental limit: The model ordinance language that prohibits ADUs being rented for less than 30 days was discussed at length. Pease said HCD's model reads as if it disallows rentals under 30 days, but that the underlying state law leaves that issue to local discretion. Councilmembers asked whether Colfax should keep a 30-day minimum or permit shorter stays. Councilmember Larry Hilberg argued for keeping a 30-day minimum, saying short-term rentals can worsen housing availability. Several public commenters supported allowing shorter stays for ADUs because short-term rentals can bring visitors who spend locally; Tom Barnum called that a benefit for businesses.

- Owner-occupancy and enforcement: Pease and staff noted the state model includes provisions that encourage owner-occupancy of the primary residence when an ADU is present; the city currently lacks a strong mechanism to track how ADUs are used after construction. Staff said they monitor listing sites (Airbnb/VRBO) and had identified roughly 10'12 advertised short-term units in Colfax, with only two having completed the city's permitting process. Pease said the city could cross-reference ADU rules with the existing short-term rental chapter (17.123) to apply the same registration and operating requirements to any ADU used for short-term rentals.

- Permitting timeline and preapproved plans: Under the state approach, the building department must act on ADU permit applications within 60 days or the permit is deemed approved. Staff said Colfax had posted links to preapproved ADU plans (hosted by Placer County) to help meet that timeline.

Council action and next steps

Mayor Lohman moved to introduce the proposed ordinance as amended (removing the explicit 30-day restriction and cross-referencing the city's short-term rental regulations), waive first reading, and schedule the second reading and adoption for the July 23 regular meeting; the motion was seconded and taken under roll call. The council directed staff to forward the draft to HCD for review, to amend the ordinance language as discussed to reference the short-term rental chapter if ADUs are used as short-term rentals, and to post preapproved plans and permitting guidance on the city's website.

Quotes from the hearing

\"It sounded like by law you were not allowed to have an ADU rented for less than 30 days. But I checked the wording of the actual law, and it says that's discretionary on behalf of the city,\" Kathy Pease, planning consultant, said during the hearing.

\"One of the reasons we're against short-term rentals is that there are a lot of Airbnbs, and all we're doing now would be to allow an additional dwelling unit to be an Airbnb and just compound the problem,\" Councilmember Larry Hilberg said.

Context and background

ADUs are typically secondary units on single-family lots and were part of Colfax's 2023 zoning update. State guidance in recent years has sought to increase housing supply by easing ADU standards, limiting certain local impact fees and setback requirements, and shortening review timelines.

Remaining questions and implementation risks

Staff acknowledged enforcement challenges: advertised short-term listings can be hard to trace before reservations disclose the address, and the city currently relies on manual monitoring of listing platforms. The council asked staff to track advertised listings and report back if ADU use as short-term rentals grows.

The ordinance introduction does not finalize policy changes; final adoption is scheduled for July 23, when the council will vote on the ordinance for second reading and adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 9, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Colfax City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Colfax City Council introduced an update to its accessory dwelling unit ordinance on July 9 to align the city's rules with a state model and directed staff to return with a final draft for adoption at the July 23 meeting.","taxTitle","Colfax, Placer County, California","taxId",79889,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655949,"Council approves $3,500 donation to help cover Railroad Days trackless train cost",330,6305000,6635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6&start=6305&end=6635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6/thumbnail_6305000.jpg","/articles/6655949/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Council-approves-3500-donation-to-help-cover-Railroad-Days-trackless-train-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655949-314a872eec8e1bd1c39ea43939ff6766/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140950&Signature=eDYkln7-aQW2jf48WKMnBI5TgfdQk3tqWqgXNP-yAFAKZSB5Zd96p3KxIWDOHRzT5belEJy-SlzvdejY1oZK8XOwol2IvL~z0PURo8BapC5LR6wCLrnJWr4eOTTxjB5ep3Hc55kFrbpBAQBdaHzpAqQza6I3TiyT3Eg-LwmVT3QsyFSkb9JW64IAn9kge2faihEX0KKqTMjS0sov2hnXKSKDDpr2ZTURZgrVz-8S1nIp49UDH91L6rSOQ1vm2kQYD-LS~0iQycLX59RedlVyvMYd4GONRN6E2TN2USJjFl8-s6spMOOKcf4MW6Eh78uZwy0pp66eF-pnjQ1Y6Bb2Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax City Council on July 9 approved a $3,500 donation to Colfax Railroad Days to help cover the cost of a trackless train attraction planned for the festival. Organizers told the council the rental cost increased by roughly 27 percent this year to $4,800 and that they would continue fundraising to cover the balance.

Caroline McCully, president of the Railroad Days organizing group, told the council last year the train ride was free to attendees and that the organizers wanted to repeat that arrangement. \"Last year was the first year that we did the train ride as a free event for the kids or anybody who wanted to ride it,\" McCully said. She told council the group carried about $1,800 in seed funds from last year and expects to raise the remainder through donations and raffles.

Council action and context

City staff introduced the request and said the organizers asked for $3,500 of the projected $4,800 cost. Councilmembers asked about the group's leftover funds and fundraising plans; staff confirmed the event raised roughly $12,000 in total last year and that organizers planned additional fundraising and a donation bucket at the train boarding area. The council voted to approve the $3,500 contribution.

Quote

\"We do have a donation bucket that stays over there, and my mother-in-law gets parked over there as well because she is phenomenal,\" Caroline McCully said about the event's local fundraising efforts.

Next steps

Organizers will continue local fundraising and expect the city contribution to cover the bulk of the train rental; councilmembers asked the organizers to return if additional funds are needed.","The city approved a $3,500 contribution to help fund the trackless train ride at the upcoming Colfax Railroad Days. Organizers said the rental this year is $4,800 and that last year's event left about $1,800 in seed funds; the group will continue fundraising for the remainder.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655954,"Colfax council approves final skate park plans, authorizes bid solicitation",1651,4074000,5725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6&start=4074&end=5725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5356414-93881cd5aef57f91e506a35862a9ffd6/thumbnail_4074000.jpg","/articles/6655954/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Colfax-council-approves-final-skate-park-plans-authorizes-bid-solicitation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655954-f841e1b739bcf37bdd2eb01736de0e8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140950&Signature=UsfOQ4-jUGiGTJAnGlUsbcPuOLNg5cFBhR6Q4cph2ohnxzra2wDAVScnAf0GJ9O3Ro7STbAA80xTy1fTiQO1rZck-~QEp5gHNcQxoDOcpNbDR53uVACGeAP-vTKE3nzBiSQDM~o1dr3RrUKBF9nJv0vpHRe3tHqyF9p~VLZNe8h4xen14qQWwQQUKu8novX8lRxBaJytzthIV0uugRtjNcQ~a16hMJLGVwhkLbccpY1SrLFk1BY4a0~P5liwqFP2~ny2X1DVtnuCX6nVy2us7X2WVH22WWI-KCBFsoSJJsUgE27~JGk8c6VEhped7c88K4JDiv8RvdhSFme59~~JtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax City Council on July 9 approved final plans for the Colfax Skate Park and authorized the city manager to solicit construction bids. The action followed a multi-year community effort led by the nonprofit Colfax Green Machine and presentations from the park designer, New Line Skateparks, volunteers and industry partners.

The project as presented is an approximately 8,000-square-foot community-level skate park designed for mixed skill levels and multiple wheeled activities (skateboards, scooters, BMX). Ty Connors, vice president of Colfax Green Machine, and Kenton Russell of New Line Skateparks reviewed the final plans and said the drawings and construction documents are bid-ready. \"This is the closest we've ever been,\" Connors said of the project's progress after a decade of volunteer work.

Why it matters: The park represents a long-standing local effort to provide a recreational amenity for Colfax youth and regional users. Funding includes grant awards, Parks & Recreation funds set aside by the city and in-kind and cash donations the Green Machine raised. Staff said in-kind materials and services tied to the project total roughly $100,000 and cash donations about $40,000; the city noted existing Parks & Recreation funds are encumbered for this project and would not be diverted to other uses.

Funding, scope and procurement

City staff and project partners said the project's base scope is bid-ready; alternates in the bid package include a shade structure and additional benches that could be added if funds permit. The city manager and project manager told the council they would solicit bids from qualified contractors; if bids exceed the available budget, staff will return to the council for direction.

Donations and in-kind commitments

Crystal Howard of Skate for Concrete and Robert Dugan (construction materials industry) confirmed multiple local companies have committed materials and aggregate donations to reduce hard construction costs. City staff confirmed there is a donation agreement with the Green Machine; council asked that the agreement include the specific dollar and in-kind amounts referenced in the staff report.

Neighborhood concerns and maintenance

Nearby resident and councilmember Larry Hilberg recused himself from voting because his property lies within 500 feet of the site and spoke from the public lectern to express concerns about project scale, safety, and the adequacy of final budgets before solicitation. City staff and the designer responded that the park is roughly 8,000 square feet (typical for a community park of this type), that construction documents are stamped and ready to bid, and that alternates are limited to a few edge amenities.

On maintenance, New Line and staff said ongoing upkeep for a project of this size typically is modest. A designer representative said typical average annual maintenance for similar projects is about $500 a year, though higher-traffic regional parks can cost more.

Council action

Councilmember motioned and the council voted to adopt a resolution approving the final skate park plans and authorizing the city manager to solicit bids for construction. The motion passed; staff will advertise the project for bid and return if bid results require council decision on scope or funding changes.

Quotes

\"This is the closest we've ever been, and I'll see the final hurdles,\" Ty Connors, vice president, Colfax Green Machine.

\"The majority of those pretty renders are actually in the base bid,\" a New Line representative explained during the meeting, indicating that most of the park features depicted are included in the base construction scope.

Context and next steps

The project has been under community development for about 10 years. With council authorization to solicit bids, the next steps are public procurement, bid evaluation, and award (subject to available funding); staff will return to council if bids exceed the combination of grants, donations and city Parks & Recreation funds set aside for the project.","The council approved final plans for an approximately 8,000-square-foot community skate park on July 9 and authorized the city manager to solicit construction bids. The Green Machine will donate materials and cash; staff said funding includes park grants, city parks funds and in-kind donations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Colfax council introduces ADU ordinance update amid debate over short-term rentals

Council approves $3,500 donation to help cover Railroad Days trackless train cost

Colfax council approves final skate park plans, authorizes bid solicitation