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Council considers clarifying ADU height rule; schedules study session on ADUs and state alignment
Summary
Councilors debated whether to pass a short resolution clarifying that accessory dwelling units over garages should not be higher than the principal residence in an absolute sense, and they asked staff to schedule a study session to align city code with state ADU legislation and to discuss broader ADU policy.
Council members discussed constituent complaints about how the city's ADU height restriction is being interpreted. Citizens and Planning & Zoning members urged clarifying language so that an ADU over a garage cannot exceed the primary residence in absolute elevation, rather than relying on a site-average elevation calculation staff currently applies.
Mayor Pro Tem and others said a short clarifying resolution could provide immediate relief to residents trying to finalize ADU plans, while staff warned the council that a broader ADU policy conversation is pending and that state legislation (referred to in the meeting as House Bill 11 52) influences local options. Several members supported moving a clarifying resolution forward or bringing a draft to an upcoming study session; others said they preferred to fully vet changes at a study session before adopting a legislative interpretation.
Council directed staff to schedule an ADU study session to discuss height, state legislation alignment and other zoning changes, and asked staff to bring a draft resolution or discussion paper for the study session.
