Planning commission signals support to draft a detached ADU ordinance, with safeguards on lot size

The Fountain Green Planning Commission directed staff April 9 to begin drafting an ordinance to allow detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), subject to safeguards including limits on lot-size reductions and utility capacity.

Chair polled commissioners: "Would you be in favor of putting together an ordinance for detached auxiliary dwelling units?" The informal show of hands and comments indicated majority support for drafting an ordinance, though several members said they would not support reducing minimum lot sizes. One commissioner noted the city's half-acre lot norm and suggested the ordinance should not encourage splitting lots without infrastructure review.

The group reviewed a 2023 community survey, which showed mixed responses: a plurality favored allowing some ADUs but the sample size was modest. Commissioners asked for an ordinance that would address septic, utility connections, size limits (for example, a percentage relative to the primary house), and owner-occupancy or other safeguards.

Members agreed to begin ordinance work after finishing the general plan update, aiming for draft language and a public review cycle in late summer or early fall. "If we put together an ordinance that you liked, would you like us to have Fountain Green allow auxiliary dwelling units?" the Chair asked; most commissioners responded yes with caveats.

Staff were directed to gather model ordinances and work in small subgroups to draft a proposal consistent with Fountain Green's infrastructure and lot-size constraints.