Adelanto planning commission recommends ADU ordinance update to align with state law

The Adelanto Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt an update to the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules, advancing Resolution P26-03 and Ordinance No. 660 to align local regulations with state ADU law.

Project planner Naika Allen told the commission that "staff are recommending approval of the accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units of chapter 17.2" of the municipal code so the city can be "certified in compliance with ADU state law." Allen also said an initial study and draft mitigated negative declaration were circulated for 30 days (Nov. 21, 2023'Dec. 21, 2023) and that staff expects no significant environmental impacts after revisions and mitigation measures.

Commissioner Johnson said she supported the update but pressed staff on several specifics. "One of my concerns is specifically ... it says for long term rentals only," Johnson said, asking whether that language would block short workforce stays for nurses or contract workers and whether the ordinance could include an exception for workforce housing under 30 days. She also raised questions about a five-year waiver for nonconforming structures and asked what happens when that period expires. Johnson asked whether ADUs could be permitted in front yards and, if so, what parameters would apply. She also asked about prefabricated or manufactured units and noted waiver eligibility tied to units already in place by 2020.

Allen acknowledged the questions and said staff would bring the implementation questions to the city manager and staff responsible for the ordinance update. She told commissioners that the city has approved "about, maybe 15 new ADUs" so far and that ongoing implementation and periodic monitoring would be funded through the general fund and the annual budget process; development impact fees would apply to new development.

After discussion, Chair Wagner moved to adopt Resolution P26-03, described in the meeting transcript as a resolution "recommending that the city council adopts resolution P26-03 and approve accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units of ordinance number 660, amending chapter 17.20 ... of the Adelanto Municipal Code" to ensure consistency with Government Code section 66326. A second was recorded and the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote with members saying "Aye." The record in the transcript does not include a full roll-call tally.

The commission recorded no new Parks & Recreation business, noted the city would be closed on Presidents' Day (Feb. 16), and adjourned the meeting.

Next steps: The commission's recommendation moves to the City Council for formal consideration; the transcript records staff commitment to follow up on Johnson's implementation questions but does not record specific changes to the ordinance text.