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Commission recommends ADU text amendment with 1-acre minimum to expand housing options
Summary
The commission recommended a text amendment (25PC84) to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Ag, R1 and R2 districts, adding standards including 450–900 sq ft size limits, max two bedrooms, owner-occupancy, deed restriction, and a 1-acre minimum parcel requirement the commission added by motion.
The Lee County Regional Planning Commission recommended a text amendment (petition 25PC84) to permit accessory dwelling units — often called ADUs or tiny homes — in Agricultural, R1 and R2 zoning districts with specific limits and conditions.
Zoning Administrator (Speaker 2) described the proposal as modeled on LaSalle County language and said the change responds to a recent uptick in requests: "At that time, we were getting maybe 4 requests a year for this type of use. Since I would say about third quarter of last year, that has increased to about 1 to 4 requests for this use a month." Staff framed the amendment as aimed at providing alternative housing for aging adults, caregivers and disabled residents who need on-site care while preserving neighborhood stability.
Staff outlined specific standards: ADUs must meet building-code and Lee County health-department requirements; be owner-occupied (the owner must live either in the principal residence or the ADU); be limited to two bedrooms; have a permanent foundation (campers and mobile homes are prohibited); be no smaller than 450 square feet and no larger than 900 square feet; not exceed the size of the principal dwelling; provide two parking spaces; and be no taller than 35 feet. Staff also said a deed restriction would be required to reduce the risk of immediate rental conversions.
Health and infrastructure issues were a central part of the discussion. Staff advised applicants to consult the Lee County health department about well and septic adequacy before applying and proposed a 1-acre minimum parcel size in Ag districts to align with the health department's minimum lot-size constraints and avoid late-stage denials. Emergency-addressing and response were discussed; staff said 911 recommended whole-number addressing rather than suffixes such as "A" or "B." Commissioners suggested on-site signage and lighting to help responders locate ADUs on long rural drives.
Commissioner (Speaker 4) moved to recommend the text amendment with an added 1-acre minimum parcel size; Commissioner (Speaker 3) seconded. The motion carried by voice vote; the record in the transcript does not list a detailed roll-call tally. The recommendation will go to the Lee County Board for final action.
