Blaine council rejects Pepin family’s accessory dwelling unit after extended debate; directs workshop review

The Blaine City Council voted down a conditional-use permit request for a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) proposed for a Pepin family property on Second Avenue Northeast during its May 5 meeting at Blaine City Hall.

The vote followed an extended public-comment period in which neighbors both opposed and supported the Pepins, a detailed staff presentation of ADU standards and a lengthy council discussion about zoning intent, neighborhood compatibility and program safeguards. The motion to approve the permit, moved by Councilmember Fleming and seconded by Councilmember Ford, failed on a roll call vote: Fleming and Ford in favor; Councilmembers Larson, Masolia, Newland, Robertson and Mayor Sanders opposed.

City staff told the council the city’s ADU standards — adopted in 2021 — allow detached ADUs in R1 single-family districts only by conditional-use permit and set limits on location, size and occupancy. Assistant Community Development Director Sheila Selman told the council the ordinance caps ADU size by multiple tests and that the applicant’s proposal met the listed requirements. Selman said the ordinance’s size formula is “50% of the finished square footage of the primary residence, 25% of the square footage of the rear yard, or 960 square feet, whichever is less,” and that the application proposed a unit that met those limits.

Supporters and opponents filled the…