Resident asks council to allow finishing existing detached unit; council explains code limits

During public comment, resident Sherry Syndergaard asked the council for permission to finish a detached building so her mother could live there, saying the structure is already built and connected to utilities.

"It's already got water. It's already got electricity," Syndergaard said, adding that she had been told to seek council approval to proceed with finishing the unit. Planning Commission member Austin Powell and staff explained that Clarkston’s current code does not allow detached external ADUs and that conversion could require subdivision, separate addressing, and separate utility meters, which could be costly and require health-department approval for septic and sewer connections.

Another commenter, who identified himself as Tim Sindergard, asked about splitting the parcel to provide a separate address for the unit and raised questions about frontage requirements. Powell and council members described the process for a minor subdivision, noted existing frontage rules and suggested staff check whether older lots might be grandfathered. No permit was granted at the meeting; staff advised following planning and zoning procedures.