Staff outlines 2026 plan to update Unified Development Ordinance; driveway widths and ADU rules targeted

City planning staff on Jan. 12 told the Angola City Plan Commission they intend to pursue a suite of 2026 amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO, Title 18), focusing on both text clarifications and changes to development standards.

Director Rita Higgs said the UDO is the city’s primary reference for zoning, permitted uses and development standards and described it as a 'living document' that should be updated when standards create friction. "We are looking to do some text amendments to our unified development ordinance," Higgs said.

Staff highlighted the driveway-width standard as an item under review. The current UDO language sets a 20-foot approach standard; Higgs said property owners seeking three-car garages have repeatedly requested 30-foot approaches and staff have been granting variances. "Our driveway standard says 20 foot at approach, and people are building that third bay, and they want 30 foot," she said. Staff reported consulting engineering and the street department and is considering amending the standard to reduce recurring variances.

For larger development-standard amendments, staff said the city has engaged an outside consultant (recorded in the packet as "Avid Marsh") to help draft changes and coordinate affected departments. Staff asked commissioners to review draft redlines on OneDrive and return comments ahead of the next meeting.

Staff also flagged an inconsistency with accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules: the written ADU standards reference 'estate residential' (acre lots), but staff have been permitting ADUs in traditional residential districts. Higgs said that discrepancy "needs to be made" and that staff will correct standards so ADU requirements differ by district.

The commission was told the work on the UDO would be concentrated in the first half of 2026, with possible follow-up later in the year; any ordinance changes will come to the Plan Commission for recommendation to city council as required by the municipal code.

Commissioners were encouraged to request copies of the comp plan and the planning basics guide if they need them and to contact staff for one-on-one explanations of the UDO and staff reports.

Next steps: staff will compile suggested edits, post the draft to OneDrive for commissioner review, and return with a proposed amendment draft at a future meeting for a formal recommendation to council.