Council tables ADU zoning amendment to March after extended public comment

The West Lafayette City Council on Jan. 6 voted 7–1 to table Ordinance 1-20-25, a proposed amendment to the Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO amendment 114) that would permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zones, and directed staff to hold community meetings before the item returns in March.

Chad Spitzong, Building Commissioner, presented the Area Plan Commission's ADU proposal and described key provisions: an ADU is an additional dwelling unit on a lot with an existing single-family house that is incidental to the primary dwelling and must be owner occupied. The draft defines three ADU types (internal, attached and detached); sets a minimum ADU living area of 400 square feet and a maximum of 750 square feet; limits bedroom size per code (70 square feet minimum); caps detached ADUs at 750 square feet regardless of existing accessory structure size; requires plumbing to tie to the primary structure; prohibits a separate sewer tap or a new driveway cut; and requires conformance with historic preservation district regulation and primary-building…