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Council briefs: ADU study, sidewalks and library funding remain under review
Summary
River Heights councilors said planning and zoning will examine accessory dwelling units, asked residents to maintain sidewalks and discussed a $12,023.52 sidewalk-grinding purchase order to be presented next meeting. Council leadership also reported ongoing talks with neighboring cities about county library funding.
At the Dec. 2 meeting, River Heights City Councilors signaled several items for follow-up: a potential change to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs), reminders about resident responsibility for sidewalk snow removal, and next steps on a sidewalk-grinding purchase order.
A council member said planning and zoning will take “a dive” into ADUs to see whether the city should allow small apartments such as mother-in-law units or garage apartments and what ordinance changes would look like. Councilors noted some existing homes are plumbed for future ADUs and that other cities have updated ordinances; no ordinance language was proposed or voted on.
Council Member Lance Pitcher asked staff to remind homeowners—especially on 6 South where children walk to school—that property owners are responsible for installing and maintaining sidewalks and for snow removal (the council cited city code in multiple places). Public Works Director Clayton Nelson said a sidewalk-grinding purchase order totaling $12,023.52 will be presented at the next council meeting; the item is within the previously budgeted $15,000.
Council leadership also reported ongoing discussions with neighboring cities (Millville and Providence) and the County Council about the county library budget. The mayor said a Providence councilor submitted a three-option letter to the County Council asking that funding not be cut after a six-month proposal; the county budget vote was scheduled for Dec. 9, 2025.
No formal ordinance changes or library decisions were made at the Dec. 2 meeting; councilors asked staff to gather more information and return with specific proposals.
