Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Adu topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mills County holds public hearing and first reading on ADU ordinance to comply with new state law
Summary
After a public hearing, the Mills County Board of Supervisors held a first reading of Ordinance 25‑02 to allow one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on parcels with an existing single‑family dwelling to comply with Senate File 592; residents raised concerns about enforcement, septic and electrical capacity. A second hearing was set for Dec. 2.
The Mills County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and completed a first reading Wednesday on Ordinance 25‑02, a zoning change to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on parcels that already contain a single‑family dwelling, in order to comply with state law.
Planning and building consultant Matt Wyatt told the board the ordinance would amend Chapter 27 of the Mills County zoning code to add a definition for ADUs and change two‑family residential from a conditional use to a permitted use in certain circumstances, "to conform to the new state law." He noted the ordinance would require ADUs to be subordinated in size to the principal dwelling and described what counts as living area under the draft rules.
Resident Ed Cambridge, identifying himself as a licensed general contractor and real‑estate broker, urged caution and asked who would monitor ADU construction, verify electrical and water‑sewer capacity, and enforce code compliance when a property later sells. "I have several questions and concerns about local impact, the state law, as well as the zoning ordinance changes," Cambridge said. He warned the change could cause "unintended consequences" if county inspection and permitting resources are not expanded.
Supervisors and staff acknowledged enforcement and infrastructure limits raised by Cambridge and others during the hearing. Planning staff said environmental health review could deny an ADU on a parcel where septic or well systems are insufficient, and that separate electrical service or upgrades may be required when permitted.
After closing the hearing, the board moved forward with the first reading and set the second public hearing and second reading for Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 08:45 a.m. Planning staff told the board they expect to present the ordinance to the planning commission for recommendation and then return to the board with any amendments.
The ordinance is being revised to comply with Senate File 592, referenced in the hearing and described by staff as requiring counties to allow at least one ADU on a parcel with an existing single‑family home. The county will continue work to clarify size limits, inspection processes and how environmental health will screen proposals before bringing a final ordinance back for adoption.
