Planning Commission directs staff to draft findings for ADU code amendments after public hearing

The Monroe City Planning Commission on April 14 voted to direct staff to draft findings of fact recommending that the Monroe City Council approve amendments to MMC Title 22 to implement changes required by "House Bill 13 37" and to ease barriers to building accessory dwelling units.

Staff member Amy Wright opened the public hearing and described the proposed changes as updates required by state law and city housing policy. "Were moving to allow 2 accessory dwelling units per lot in addition to the primary dwelling unit," Wright said, and explained the proposed size limits: the greater of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the primary dwellings living area (excluding garages). Wright also said the code would remove an owner-occupancy requirement and streamline permit processing by moving ADUs from a type 2 permit to a type 1 decision.

The changes Wright described would also preserve the citys requirement for one off-street parking stall per ADU, and would permit ADUs in zones where single-family detached homes are allowed. Wright noted several constraints remain in the city code, including lot-coverage limits and engineering requirements related to stormwater.

Three residents spoke during public testimony. Resident Sherry Novak described neighbors housing family members in RVs and asked whether faster options exist for emergency caregiving or quick conversions of garages into living space: "Is there anything thats a fast track, if something horrible happens in your family and you need to bring somebody in to take care of them?"

Resident Wes Hagen said the changes "look very good" but urged clearer wording on the size limit and recommended processing ADU code changes alongside a separate proposal on lot splitting because the two could affect how property owners design accessory structures. Resident Stacy McGregor said the proposal was "a great start" but urged expanding allowed zones, noting many historic downtown lots would remain ineligible for ADUs under current zoning maps.

Commissioners and staff clarified how the size standard is written in the draft: Wright confirmed the code language uses the greater of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the primary dwellings living area, so a very large house could permit an ADU larger than 1,000 square feet. Commissioners and staff also discussed how existing lot-coverage limits in R-4 and R-7 zones (50% and 60% respectively, as noted in the staff presentation) may prevent some downtown lots from adding detached ADUs without separate lot-coverage changes.

After the public testimony, a commissioner moved "to direct staff to draft findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that Monroe City Council approve the proposed amendments to MMC Title 22, Unified Development Regulations as required by House Bill 13 37 to ease the barriers for construction of accessory dwelling units." The motion was seconded, and the commission voted in favor; the chair stated the motion carried.

The commissions direction sends the proposal to the next step: staff will prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law for a future City Council introduction and subsequent public hearing.

Votes at a glance: Motion to direct staff to draft findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending City Council approval of the proposed ADU amendments (text above) — seconded; outcome: motion carried (vote tally not specified in the transcript).