Council reviews residential code cleanup aimed at clarifying ADU rules and the definition of "stacks"

Community Development Director Brooke Idum told council the planning commission unanimously recommended amendments to several residential regulations intended to remove ambiguity and codify prior interpretations.

"The planning commission is recommending amendments to the residential district regulations that are intended to improve clarity and cleanup ambiguity," Brooke Idum said. The proposal consolidates multiplex housing form types, clarifies titles and superscripts, adds a floor-area exclusion for vehicle parking areas, and revises the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) section to remove ambiguity and better align with state requirements.

On ADUs and critical areas, Idum said the change clarifies that a lot is not automatically ineligible for an ADU just because it contains a critical area. "So the definition is attached dwelling units that stack on top of each other," she said when explaining "stacks," adding that height limits and lot-specific restrictions still apply.

Council members pressed staff for visual comparisons showing current code versus proposed language and asked about likely impacts on parking, traffic, tree retention and city infrastructure. Council members repeatedly sought assurance the amendments did not increase allowable densities; staff said the changes are clarifying and implement densities already adopted in the comprehensive plan.

The ordinance will return to council for review and a vote on July 2, after staff supplies clearer exhibits and any requested impact information.