Council debates state‑mandated detached ADUs: size limits, parking and neighbor impacts dominate discussion

City staff presented proposed updates to the Land Development Code to implement SB284, the state law that requires cities to allow detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on qualifying residential lots. The draft would allow one detached ADU on qualifying lots (state default ≥11,000 sq ft), require owner occupancy, limit detached ADU size (no more than the lesser of accessory‑structure coverage tables or 75% of the primary dwelling footprint), and impose setbacks and parking standards consistent with state limits.

"Detached ADUs could be allowed on lots 11,000 square feet or greater," the planner said. Council members spent more than an hour probing language that defines an ADU versus an extended living area (ELA), how conversions of existing accessory buildings are handled, whether a breezeway should convert a detached unit into an attached one, and whether to adopt square‑foot caps (to keep accessory units subordinate and avoid creating near‑duplex outcomes). Several members argued for starting with the state's minimum and reassessing after 12–18 months of data; others wanted staff to allow more flexibility (e.g., lower lot thresholds like 10,000 or expanded allowances near transit) to increase homeowner options.

Parking and enforcement were recurring concerns: the state limits additional required stalls to one for ADUs under 650 sq ft and two for larger units, and staff proposed allowing reductions near transit. Others asked for clearer enforcement penalties and a path to ensure owner occupancy remains effective when properties change hands. Staff said technical edits and planning‑commission recommendations (including lowering the lot threshold to 10,000 in its motion) would be brought back in coming meetings and that the city must adopt compliance language before the Oct. 1 state deadline if it wants to preserve locally tailored standards.