Council reviews draft rules limiting accessory buildings and requiring material matching

Jason Jaeggi, director of community development, presented a staff draft amending the zoning ordinance's accessory-building rules. The draft would cap any single accessory building at 60% of the primary structure's ground-floor area and require detached accessory buildings of 400 square feet or larger to use exterior materials similar to the primary dwelling.

Jaeggi said the 60% figure is a starting point drawn from comparative review and that attached garages would be counted as part of the primary footprint. He described the materials standard as intentionally limited to primary exterior materials (for example, if a house has brick and siding, a detached garage should include at least one of those primary materials) and emphasized staff's intent to apply the rule administratively with an option for referral to the Planning & Zoning Commission when staff cannot reach a clear decision.

Council members raised several concerns in the discussion: that 60% may be too large for some lot sizes and that 400 square feet might be too big a threshold (several members suggested considering 250'to 300 sq ft or a lower percentage for the accessory structure cap). Members also noted matching older brick can be difficult and asked for clearer guidance on material percentages and exemptions where site coverage or lot size already constrain accessory structures.

Jaeggi said staff will revise the draft to address feedback and return with a formal ordinance early next year; the formal amendment will go to the Planning & Zoning Commission for public hearing before returning to council for final action.