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STAFF REPORT <br />TO:Chair Johnson and Members of the Planning Commission <br />FROM:Corrin Wendell, AICP, Community Development Director <br />DATE:February 8, 2024 <br />RE:Text Amendment – Amending Zoning Code Chapters 907 and 914 – related to <br />Micounits /Sacred Settlements <br />ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED <br />To recommend approval of a Text Amendment to Zoning Code Chapters 907 and 914 – related to <br />Micounits /Sacred Settlements. <br />BACKGROUND <br />The City has been asked to address the implementation of new laws related to Sacred Settlements, <br />as mandated by Chapter 53 in the 2023 Session Law, effective from January 1, 2024. The <br />legislation requires cities to allow faith communities to site micro-units on religious property to <br />house chronically homeless individuals, extremely low-income individuals, and designated <br />volunteers. <br />During the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature passed a bill authorizing religious institutions <br />to establish sacred settlements with micro-unit dwellings. These dwellings aim to provide housing <br />for chronically homeless individuals, extremely low-income individuals, and designated <br />volunteers. The bill, now Chapter 53, Article 11, Section 57, necessitates cities to permit such <br />settlements either via a permitted use or conditional use. <br />Based on this information, the City will be adding this type of use to the Permitted Uses Table 907- <br />1 within Chapter 907 of the Zoning Code and then adding detailed requirements into Chapter 914 <br />of the Zoning Code that follows the legislation guidelines. <br />Micro-Unit Eligibility: <br />Micro-unit dwellings within sacred settlements target serving specific groups, including <br />chronically homeless individuals, extremely low-income individuals, and designated volunteers <br />approved by religious institutions. Definitions for these groups are outlined in the legislation to <br />ensure proper targeting and eligibility. <br />Micro-Unit Requirements: <br />The statutory language imposes various requirements on micro-units, covering building standards, <br />size limitations, materials, safety features, utilities, and more. Compliance with the American <br />National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code 119.5 is mandated, ensuring adherence to standards for