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Residents urge code fixes for ADUs, question library fees and warming-shelter plans
Summary
At Nov. 3 public comment residents asked the council to revisit a sewer‑hookup code that can add large costs for ADUs, questioned a $6 library-card rule for people without an address, and asked whether an emergency warming shelter will be available this winter.
A sequence of public commenters at the Nov. 3 Astoria City Council meeting raised housing, library and shelter concerns and urged policy fixes.
Philip Arish said he and his partner are building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) but face an expensive sewer‑hookup requirement. "This code is the sewer hookup," Arish said, describing a requirement that an ADU have its own sewer line — potentially a 20‑foot trench, retaining‑wall removal and alley paving — and called the requirement "a very irrational thing that needs to be addressed." He asked council to review the code to reduce cost and collateral damage risks to aging sewer infrastructure.
A caller identified as Don questioned why some users appear to be charged $6 for a library card without a clear alternative for people without a fixed address. He asked the council to review the library policy and suggested holding general public comments earlier in the meeting so remote participants do not wait through an entire agenda.
Carissa asked whether the city has a plan for an emergency warming shelter this winter and whether council will address potential funding gaps for shelter capacity. Mary Anne urged investment in mental‑health diversion and housing to reduce criminalization and court overload tied to behavioral‑health crises.
Councilors heard the concerns but did not adopt immediate code changes or policy shifts on the record. Staff and council indicated follow‑up: staff will note the ADU sewer‑hookup concern for planning/code review and will track questions about shelter availability and library policy for future discussion.
