Bluff planning commission begins systematic review of redlined zoning code, flags ADU state limits

The Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission on March 19 opened a scheduled review of the town's redlined zoning code and assigned commissioners to research portions of the code ahead of future meetings. The commission said it will seek legal guidance before proposing major changes to ensure local language does not conflict with or duplicate state law.

The vote to divide the work was procedural: Brian Whitney and Anne Brown will review sections 6.01060–6.01130 covering zoning districts, lot sizes, setbacks and zone requirements; Chair Malia Collins and Caitlin McLennan will review section 6.40.030 on review processes, site-plan review and exemptions; Marcia Hadenfeldt will review the definitions once the town attorney provides guidance. Commissioners did not adopt any code text at the meeting.

McLennan flagged recent changes in state legislation governing accessory dwelling units and asked whether commonly understood definitions should remain in the local code. Commissioners noted state requirements that currently limit ADUs to one per lot and raised questions about how to treat subdivided ADUs that are self-sufficient; they directed staff to request legal counsel on how to incorporate or reference state law without creating duplicative or brittle definitions.

Commissioners identified upcoming training that may inform the review, including a March 25 land-use training and an April 13 session in Monticello. The commission added a zoning-code update to the April 2 agenda and scheduled reports back after individual reviews and counsel feedback.

Next steps: commissioners will research assigned sections, the chair will arrange an attorney consultation on ADU statutory limits and code definitions, and the topic will return to the April 2 meeting for updates. No formal amendments or ordinance actions were taken at this meeting.