08-12-2021 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 12, 2021 2 reviewed the regulations of the different cities related to accessory dwelling units and duplexes. She displayed photographic examples of different accessory dwelling units along with average costs for construction of an accessory dwelling unit. She reviewed the input received from the cities that have allowed accessory dwelling units. The Community Development Director stated that staff also reached out to the planners from those communities in order to gain that additional input. Commissioner Johnson stated that there was good information on accessory dwelling units but asked if there was similar information related to duplexes. The Community Development Intern stated that they would need to follow up specifically on that as most cities focused on accessory dwelling units. The Community Development Director stated that the Council has been more split in its position on whether these items should be included in the Code or parked at this time. She asked for input from the Commission. She noted that the remainder of the changes were viewed favorably by the Council. Bill Weber stated that he did some research on the use of duplexes in other communities a few months ago and most of the surrounding communities he surveyed allowed duplexes allowed in a separate zoning district, rather than R-1. He noted that many of those communities had that provision from early on and those duplexes were built in clusters or pods, rather than the middle of a single-family block. He stated that from a practical standpoint, Little Canada is almost completely built out and there is very little single-family redevelopment occurring at this time but there will be opportunities in the future. He stated that presently there are 152 duplexes in the city, primarily found within three clustered locations. He stated overall, 55 percent of the housing stock is attached or mobile homes. Commissioner Johnson asked what the objection would be to having a duplex in a single-family neighborhood. Mr. Weber commented that it might not look like the other houses. Commissioner Kulousek provided a location where there is a duplex in a single-family area. Mr. Weber noted that another concern with duplexes is related to whether it would be a rental property. The Community Development Intern noted that in her research, parking was a concern and is something that could be alleviated through language within the code.