Investor asks Lake City to allow accessory dwelling units on rental properties; council points to pending ADU policy

Lake City — During public participation at the Jan. 6 Lake City Council meeting, resident and property developer James Curry asked the council to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on investor-owned properties, not solely on owner-occupied lots.

Curry said he and his son are developing multiple manufactured homes on a parcel near Northeast Washington Street and had already installed sewer infrastructure that could support additional dwellings. He said he has four units in place and plans to expand to eight this year and then add additional smaller two-bedroom units if ADUs are permitted for investor properties. Curry asked the council to either revise the ADU regulations to allow investor-owned ADUs or to provide a special-exception review path for investment properties.

Council members and staff responded that a city ADU policy is in development in Growth Management (identified in the meeting as under Mister Young’s department) and encouraged Curry to meet with the city manager and staff to provide input on the draft policy. Councilman Jernigan suggested Curry contact the city manager’s office to arrange a meeting; staff indicated they welcome public feedback while the policy is drafted.

Ending: No formal action was taken; staff are drafting an ADU policy and the developer was encouraged to meet with the city manager and Growth Management for input.