Council member asks to re‑open discussion of December ADU ordinance at next Big Bear Lake meeting

Council member Hicks asked the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake on March 11 to place the accessory dwelling unit ordinance the council adopted in December back on a future agenda for discussion.

Hicks said, “To ask that the council we put on the agenda for the next meeting a discussion on the ADU ordinance that was passed back in December. If I can get a second and support of that, I would appreciate it.” She added she had attended the three prior meetings on the ordinance — “I was at all 3 meetings. So I understand how we got there, but I still have some questions. And I'd appreciate if we could put it on the agenda.”

A council member seconded Hicks’s request during the meeting. Council members and staff discussed how the item would be presented: staff said it would agendize the previous final agenda report used when the ordinance was adopted and provide a “very light presentation,” and staff would be prepared to answer council questions that arise during the discussion.

Council member Herrick asked whether Hicks had received a staff briefing or met one‑on‑one with staff before requesting the council discussion. Hicks said some of her questions were matters for council discussion rather than questions staff could answer. Hicks told colleagues she would meet with Eric (a city staff member she has already contacted) to give staff a heads‑up on the questions she intends to raise so staff can be prepared.

The transcript shows the ADU ordinance was adopted last December after three council meetings that included two public hearings and a final consent action. The council did not record any formal vote during the March 11 exchange on whether to re‑agendize the item beyond the seconding of Hicks’s request; no changes to the ordinance were proposed in the recorded discussion.