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Planning commission opens detailed work session on accessory-dwelling ordinance; owner-occupancy and enforcement emerge as flashpoints
Summary
Commissioners and staff spent the bulk of the Dec. 4 meeting reviewing council‑referred ADU ordinance amendments, including a prohibition on short‑term rentals in ADUs, definition clarifications, dimensional standards, and a schedule that would bring recommendations to council in March; several commissioners urged adding an owner‑occupancy requirement and stronger setback/parking rules.
Falls Church City planning commissioners held an extended work session Dec. 4 on proposed amendments to the accessory-dwelling (ADU) ordinance, a council-referred package that staff said is intended to increase housing options while balancing neighborhood character.
Staff outlined a proposed schedule: a public listening session with liaisons from other boards and commissions on Jan. 15, a final Planning Commission markup Feb. 5, a Planning Commission public hearing on March 5, and City Council final consideration in April; Council has requested the commission’s recommendation by March 21.
On substance, staff said Council’s draft includes: a prohibition on short-term rentals in ADUs; no owner-occupancy requirement in the text referred by Council; clarification of the ADU definition to distinguish dwellings from accessory structures; allowance of interior ADUs in RM…
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