Commission debates ADU rules, asks staff to consider flexibility for oddly shaped lots

Commissioners spent substantial time discussing provisions of the city’s proposed ADU code and how those rules could limit the feasibility of detached ADUs on oddly shaped lots.

One commissioner noted that the current code treats a detached ADU as a main dwelling and therefore requires 20-foot side-yard setbacks, which could prevent many detached units from complying. “Maybe what we need to do is to encourage maybe a provision to be included in there that allows for some discretion for oddly shaped properties,” a commissioner said, urging staff and council consideration of a mechanism to evaluate unusual lot geometries. Commissioners also discussed whether staff-level review or planning-commission review would be most appropriate for discretionary exceptions.

The discussion concluded with agreement to prepare a matrix of recommended changes and to provide that material to the city council and to staff for the council work session. The commission flagged the main-structure definition and setback calculations as items likely to determine how many ADUs can be realized under the current draft code.