Committee debates ADU rules and density transfers; staff directed to craft transfer mechanism

Dunn County officials spent much of the Sept. 3 meeting discussing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), the county's density rules in the General Agriculture district and possible ordinance changes to allow transfers of density between contiguous parcels.

Staff presentation and problem statement Planning staff explained that many ADU requests occur in the General Ag District on parcels of five acres or less and that current density rules restrict adding living units without rezoning. Tammy (planning staff) said about 80% of parcels zoned General Ag trigger these constraints and described a recurring example: a 40‑acre property with several existing housing splits where owners want to add an attached ADU but cannot transfer density under current rules without rezoning.

Committee concerns and options Committee members and several town chairs in attendance debated two main approaches: (1) create a transfer‑of‑density mechanism that allows density units to be moved between eligible parcels (often for compensation) while preserving overall parcel limits, or (2) waive additional density requirements for attached ADUs while retaining density rules for detached ADUs. Some members favored waiving density for attached ADUs to encourage housing flexibility; others worried such a change could be used as a “backdoor” to increase residential units in ag areas.

Town input and practical controls Town Chair Jean Ringer (Lucas) told the committee town leaders were concerned that allowing attached ADUs without density limits could raise overall unit counts on a 40‑acre tract (she described scenarios where ADUs could effectively increase the number of residences). She and others recommended the transfer mechanism as a way to preserve the county’s 1‑to‑8 density intent while allowing landowners flexibility. Tammy said staff could draft worksheets, checklists and ordinance language to clarify differences between additions, attached ADUs and duplexes and to provide enforcement tools for the building inspector.

Committee direction Committee members expressed no final consensus on eliminating the density requirement for attached ADUs; the group asked staff to draft language to enable transfer of density between parcels and to return with options and clearer definitions for distinguishing additions, attached ADUs and duplexes. Staff said it would refine ordinance language, create worksheets to document intent and meet with corporation counsel as needed.

Ending The committee did not adopt ordinance changes at the Sept. 3 meeting but directed staff to craft transfer‑of‑density language and to refine definitions and administrative tools to make enforcement and homeowner compliance clearer.