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Greenfield adopts updated accessory dwelling unit ordinance to align with state requirements; staff to submit draft to HCD
Summary
The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 573 on second reading, replacing Chapter 17.9 of the Greenfield Municipal Code to reflect state ADU provisions; staff said the draft will be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for comment and will take effect after the state review period.
The City of Greenfield City Council on April 20 adopted Ordinance No. 573, repealing Chapter 17.9 of the Greenfield Municipal Code and replacing it with a revised accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance that incorporates state-required modifications.
A staff member explained the changes and said the city made clarifications in response to a letter from the California Housing Defense Fund. "The next step is that we would send this ordinance draft to HCD. They don't have to approve it, but they have to receive it and provide comments," the staff member said, describing the submission and comment process. Staff also said the ordinance is intended to be clearer for applicants and that state law controls where there is any conflict.
Council members had no further questions during the meeting. The motion to adopt the ordinance was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The ordinance will be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review; staff said it will go into effect after the statutory review window (staff said that HCD will provide comments and the ordinance will take effect in 30 days after applicable steps are completed).
Staff told the council the main revision requested by the California Housing Defense Fund was to more explicitly describe the four categories of ADUs that state law treats as ministerially approvable when they meet objective standards; the city left its setback standards unchanged because staff said those standards are defined quantitatively in the zoning ordinance. The staff report and a redline of the ordinance were included in the council packet for reference.
No public commenters spoke on the ordinance at the meeting. The council's action replaces the prior local ADU chapter with language the city says aligns with state ADU law and will be filed with HCD for the required review.
