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Upland planning commission backs ADU bonus program to encourage affordable accessory units
Summary
The Planning Commission voted unanimously June 17 to recommend a zoning amendment that would allow one additional deed-restricted accessory dwelling unit on qualifying large RS lots, with a 10-year affordability requirement for households earning up to 80% of area median income.
The Upland Planning Commission on June 17 moved to recommend Zoning Code Amendment 25-0007 to the City Council, endorsing a “bonus ADU” program designed to add modest affordable housing options on large single-family lots.
Laura Lee Ferris, the city’s staff planner, told commissioners the program (Program 23 in the city’s housing element) would allow one additional ADU or a junior ADU on qualifying parcels larger than 15,000 square feet in the RS-10, RS-15 and RS-20 zones. Ferris said the bonus units must be deed-restricted and rented at affordable rates to households earning up to 80% of area median income for a period of 10 years. “The lots that are eligible for the program are those that are greater than 15,000 square feet and located in the RS‑10, RS‑15, and RS‑20 zones,” she said.
Consultant Shannon Liska of Michael Baker International said the program is funded in part by a Southern California Association of Governments Subregional Partnership Program grant and that the ordinance has been assessed as exempt from CEQA under the statute allowing ADU ordinances to proceed without further environmental review. Liska reviewed basic design and operational limits for the bonus ADU: 800 square‑foot maximum, one off‑street parking space, rear‑yard location behind the primary dwelling, a minimum separation of seven feet from the primary dwelling, and lot coverage controls.
Commissioners asked technical questions about how the standard would be implemented and noted that the proposal implements a committed housing‑element program. Commissioner Aspinall observed that the item is already part of the city’s adopted housing strategy and that the hearing was a step to “fine tune” implementation details. After discussion the commission voted unanimously to determine the amendment statutorily exempt from CEQA and to adopt the resolution recommending approval to the City Council.
The commission’s approval is advisory; the City Council will consider the ordinance and adoption of implementing materials and a public education campaign before the program becomes effective.
