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Council asks staff to clarify ADU height, balcony and historic-barn language
Summary
City Planner McKay Muhlestein presented proposed ADU ordinance changes and the council asked staff to revise wording to address concerns such as historic barns exceeding maximum height limits and rules for second-story balconies and nontransparent railings.
City Planner McKay Muhlestein presented a side-by-side comparison of the existing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance and proposed revisions on March 4. After the presentation several council members raised questions that staff said would be addressed through revised wording.
Council members focused on historic barns that might be refurbished into ADUs but exceed the proposed maximum height in the draft ordinance; council asked staff to clarify whether historic or agricultural structures would be exempt or addressed differently. Resident John VanOrman raised questions about second-story ADUs, balconies and a requirement for nontransparent railings, saying that the railing rule "defeated the purpose of having a balcony" and asking staff to balance privacy and functionality.
Planner Muhlestein told the council the ordinance language would be revised to respond to the points raised and that a public hearing on ADU recommendations is anticipated for April 1, 2026.
