River Heights planning commission continues ADU ordinance review, schedules May 12 public hearing

The River Heights City Planning Commission continued review of a draft Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance on April 14, 2026, and agreed to forward an updated draft to the city attorney and city engineer for review before a public hearing scheduled for May 12. Commissioners discussed goals of the draft, owner-occupancy requirements, size and placement limits, parking standards and enforcement procedures.

Commissioner Keenan Ryan led the discussion of the ADU draft. Commissioner Noel Cooley noted the state's stated intent for allowing ADUs is "to help provide more affordable housing" and argued that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs do not serve that purpose. The draft language presented at the meeting includes provisions such as owner-occupancy requirements, a maximum ADU size described as the lesser of 50% of the primary dwelling or 1,200 square feet, and parking expectations that reference two off-street parking spaces per ADU and a minimum of three total off-street spaces on the lot in some configurations. Several portions of the scanned draft in the meeting record were illegible (for example, the minimum rental term appears garbled) and are therefore recorded as not specified here.

Recorder Sheila Lind said she would compile the edits discussed and circulate the updated draft for one more internal review before forwarding it to the city attorney and the city engineer. The commission stated its aim to be ready for a public hearing on May 12; no vote to adopt the ordinance was taken at the April 14 meeting.