Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Dwelling Unit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board raises zoning limits for detached ADUs after Alliston Court proposal
Summary
An Alliston Court applicant asked Feb. 4 to build a two‑story accessory dwelling above a garage; staff and the city attorney told the board Upper Arlington’s code currently allows only attached in‑law suites (cited limit 816 sq ft) and that detached second dwellings likely require rezoning; the board urged exploring attached or single‑story options first.
A family proposing a two‑story accessory dwelling on Allison/Alliston Court asked the board Feb. 4 for guidance on whether the unit could be built above a garage to house aging parents. The planning staff and the city attorney said current Upper Arlington code permits in‑law suites only if attached to the primary residence and cited a square‑footage reference of 816 sq ft for such units, meaning the applicants’ detached option would likely require rezoning or a special review.
Applicants described caregiving needs and family plans: one speaker said building on the lot would allow the parents to remain at the family home rather than move to a care facility. Designer Jim Ross and the board discussed practical alternatives such as connecting the new unit to the house with an enclosed breezeway, pushing the garage forward and placing living space behind it, or reducing the ADU to a single story to limit neighbor impacts and reduce the number of required variances.
Board members raised operational questions about emergency response, addressing, and the long‑term risk that a separate unit could become a rental; they emphasized that an attached unit with a single entrance and internal access is more likely to be permitted under current code than a detached second dwelling. Staff recommended the applicants pursue options that could be administratively reviewed (attachment or changes to footprint) and consult the city attorney and staff on variance needs before attempting a rezoning.
