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Blaine council holds first reading of one-year moratorium on accessory dwelling units
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Summary
The council gave first reading to an interim ordinance instituting a one-year moratorium on accessory dwelling units while staff studies potential code changes; one application filed before the moratorium will proceed through the usual review timeline.
The Blaine City Council gave first reading Monday to an interim ordinance imposing a one-year moratorium on new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) applications while staff studies possible code changes.
Director Thorvig told the council the moratorium is intended to prevent a wave of applications while staff completes analysis and holds public engagement. "The moratorium would be in effect for 1 year," Thorvig said, adding that staff aims to finish the work sooner if possible and could extinguish the moratorium earlier.
Thorvig said the ordinance includes language exempting applications that were submitted prior to May 19. He told the council an applicant considered on May 5 submitted a new application prior to the moratorium taking effect; that application will be processed and will move to the planning commission in July and back to council in August.
Thorvig said staff scheduled a workshop on ADUs for June 16. The council did not request immediate amendments during the first reading; the clerk provided the first reading of ordinance 25-25-77 as required by procedure.
The moratorium's stated purpose in staff comments is to give the city time to study ADU policy, consider permit standards, and respond to concerns expressed during earlier meetings. The ordinance text indicates it applies only to new applications submitted after the council's action and does not apply to applications filed before May 19.
No vote to adopt the interim ordinance was recorded at the meeting; the clerk read the ordinance title as part of the required first-reading procedure.
