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Council introduces ordinance to loosen ADU rules for certain commercial and industrial zones
Summary
Ferrysburg introduced Ordinance No. 343 to amend zoning code Chapter 154 remove a one-floor limitation for accessory dwelling units in GC and LI1 zones and to make ADUs a permitted use, subject to residential building-code compliance; council requested written fire‑safety input from the fire chief.
Ferrysburg City Council introduced Ordinance No. 343 on Feb. 16, a zoning amendment to Chapter 154 that would modify accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules in general commercial (GC) and light industrial (LI1) zones.
Under the proposed ordinance staff said the prior one-floor limitation would be removed so living spaces could occupy more than one level in certain storage/unit conversions, provided the living area meets residential building code requirements. The planning commission recommended making ADUs a permitted use in the affected zones rather than a special land use, which would streamline review while keeping building-code compliance and planning-commission oversight in place.
Council members asked staff to provide a written statement from the fire chief about whether sleeping areas on upper floors would require sprinklers; staff said the building inspector and planning commission considered building-code requirements and that staff will follow up with the fire chief before subsequent readings.
As an introduction the ordinance was not adopted that night; the planning commission and the fire chief will provide additional input in advance of further council action.
