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Merriam council directs Planning Commission to draft ADU ordinance after staff presentation
Summary
Following a staff presentation on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), the council voted 7–0 to direct the Planning Commission to draft an ADU ordinance. Council discussion focused on utilities, parking, owner-occupancy requirements, and possible limits on short-term rentals.
MERRIAM — After a staff presentation and council discussion of accessory dwelling units, the Merriam City Council voted unanimously to direct the Planning Commission to draft an ADU ordinance.
Brian Dyer, the city's Community Development Director, explained ADU types (attached, detached, attached-over-garage), typical financing (owner-funded construction), and common regulatory issues such as utility connections, setbacks, parking, maximum ADU size, and whether the property owner must occupy one of the units. Dyer said detached ADUs generally require separate utility connections and that attached ADUs must meet firewall and building-code requirements.
Council members asked about sewer connections, parking and whether both the primary dwelling and ADU could be rented. Several members said fewer requirements would encourage ADU construction; others raised enforcement and equity concerns tied to the cost of utility connections. Resident Billy Krone urged the council to adopt minimal restrictions.
A motion to direct the Planning Commission to draft an Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance was made and seconded; the council voted 7–0 to send the matter to the Planning Commission for drafting and future public hearings.
