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DeKalb commission approves UDO text change to allow 'lodging house' as a special use in multifamily districts
Summary
Planning & Zoning recommended a text amendment to Chapter 23 of DeKalb’s UDO to add 'lodging house' as a special use in MFR‑1 and MFR‑2 districts, enabling emergency shelters such as the proposed youth shelter at 220 College Ave to be considered through a special‑use public process.
Staff presented a proposed amendment to Chapter 23 (UDO) to add "lodging house" — defined in the staff report as a dwelling with sleeping accommodations and meals for up to 20 transient persons on a temporary basis — as a special use in MFR‑1 and MFR‑2 multifamily districts. The stated intent was to provide a clear UDO path for facilities such as youth emergency shelters and similar temporary lodging uses.
The commission discussed that any lodging house would still be subject to a special‑use public hearing, neighbor notification and site‑specific conditions; staff said the amendment does not automatically permit a shelter but allows it to be considered in multifamily districts with the normal special‑use review and conditions.
Commissioners voted to forward the text amendment with a favorable recommendation to the City Council. Staff noted that the amendment was a prerequisite for a pending special‑use petition later on the agenda (Family Service Agency at 220 College Ave).
Next steps: the City Council will consider the text amendment; any actual lodging house proposal will require a separate special‑use application and compliance with rooming‑house/rooming‑house licensing, building code and any DCFS licensing where applicable.
