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Council trims ADU barriers, backs stronger landscaping and storefront transparency
Summary
Council signaled support for one ADU by right (two ADUs allowed with conditions on small lots), agreed on a 1,000 sq ft cap and two‑story limit for ADUs, and endorsed new landscaping minimums and 100% storefront transparency downtown.
Council and planning commissioners discussed accessory dwelling units (ADUs), landscaping minimums and signage as part of the code rewrite. Members reached consensus that one ADU should be allowed by right on most lots, a second ADU could require a conditional use permit on small lots, and staff should codify parking, drainage and utility requirements.
"We limited them to 1000 square feet," a staff member said while explaining ADU size thresholds; council members also favored a two‑story maximum living area and that ADUs not be taller than the principal dwelling. On landscaping, staff proposed minimum percent coverage (for example, 20% for townhouses, 25% for multifamily and 20% for commercial in typical examples) to reduce heat and increase tree canopy. The council also accepted a staff correction to require 100% storefront transparency downtown where appropriate (clarifying opaque vs. transparent materials), after Main Street and local business owners advised easing overly prescriptive letter‑size and blade‑sign rules.
Staff will revise the ADU and landscaping language to reflect the consensus — one ADU by right (subject to parking/drainage/utility capacity), a second ADU via CUP on small lots, a 1,000‑sq‑ft maximum, and landscaping minimums in the draft code.
