Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission seeks clarification: can a fourplex ADU be built on an R‑1 lot?
Summary
Commissioners asked whether a vacant R‑1 lot can host a fourplex under accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) allowances. Staff clarified that a fourplex can be placed on a residential lot if utilities, hookups and ERU capacity allow; water/sewer capacity may limit conversions on existing lots.
A commissioner asked whether a vacant R‑1 lot can be developed as a fourplex under the city's ADU provisions. City staff responded on March 26 that a fourplex could be built on a residential lot so long as utilities, hookups and ERU (equivalent residential unit) requirements are satisfied.
Staff explained that the principal constraint on converting an existing single‑family lot to higher density is utility capacity: existing sewer and water lines serving single‑family lots may not have capacity for multiple new units without upgrades. Staff also noted that the city’s classification labels (for example, “R‑1”) are under discussion as part of future regulatory updates and that many lots are not strictly R‑1 in practice.
Commissioners discussed addressing classification language in upcoming regulation updates to better reflect current density categories. No regulatory changes were adopted at the meeting; staff will include the matter in future code updates.
