Mona City Council approves accessory dwelling unit at 200 West with legal condition to vacate when a primary home is built

The Mona City Council approved an accessory dwelling unit permit for Cason Keat at 200 West Center Street on July 14, after planning staff reported required conditions had been satisfied.

Council member (S5), who chaired planning updates, told the council the applicant had adjusted setbacks and provided the required half-acre-foot of secondary water for the one-acre parcel. "He has signed" the required abandonment letter, planning staff (S3) said, and the council confirmed the parcel now meets the conditions imposed at the initial permit review.

The council discussed how the ADU differs from an accessory building and confirmed that when the structure is designated as a dwelling it is treated as a residence for impact-fee and utility considerations. A resident at public comment asked whether impact fees would be assessed "as if it's a home," and planning staff (S5) answered that impact fees would be assessed accordingly.

To address long-term compliance, staff read an attorney-prepared affidavit aloud. The affidavit includes a series of promises by the property owner, including: "I will not reside in the accessory building either temporarily or permanently after the primary residence is constructed" and "I will not rent, lease, or otherwise allow occupancy of the building as a residence by any other individual after the primary residence is constructed." The affidavit also states the accessory building "will be used solely for permitted accessory purposes" and that noncompliance may trigger enforcement actions by the city.

Council members discussed enforcement steps if the affidavit is violated, mentioning an initial compliance notice, fines and, as a last resort, utility disconnection for continued noncompliance; council did not adopt a new enforcement ordinance at the meeting but directed staff to pursue enforceable options with the city attorney. The council approved the ADU designation and utilities by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will attach the affidavit to the parcel record and document the condition in building-permit files; council members said they will consider any additional code changes needed to strengthen enforcement at a future meeting.