Atherton — The council opened a public hearing and held the first reading of an ordinance revising Chapter 17.52 of the Atherton Municipal Code to conform accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules to recent state legislation.

Town planner Britney Bendix walked the council through changes driven by multiple state bills (examples cited in the presentation included SB 477 and SB 1211) and recommended adoption of the proposed code language. Bendix said the amendments clarify objective standards the state requires for some ADUs, expand allowable detached ADUs on certain multifamily parcels under state rules, incorporate preapproved plan programs and set timing and response requirements for permit review and comment responses.

Council members pressed staff on interpretive questions the state law leaves open, including what constitutes an "existing" multifamily dwelling for the purposes of the increased detached ADU allowance. Bendix said her office will analyze legislative history and, if needed, offer a town interpretation that would be applied uniformly. Councilor Reguilla criticized the frequency of statewide changes and said some provisions “put more pressure on local government,” while another council member called one of the statutes an example of "bad law" but said they would support local amendments to limit local impacts.

A council member moved to introduce the ordinance for a first reading; the motion carried on roll call with one council member recorded as voting "no." The item will return with additional staff analysis and final ordinance language in December.