12-17-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff Report To: Mayor Fischer and Members of the Little Canada City Council From: Ben Harrington, AICP, Community Development Director Date: December 17, 2025 Re: PC 1445 - Accessory Structure Ordinance Updates Ordinances 922, 923, 924, 925, & 926 Actions To Be Considered To adopt, adopt with amendments, deny: • Ordinance 922, an ordinance amending chapters 904, 905, 906, and 907 of the Little Canada zoning code streamlining accessory building and structure district standards. • Ordinance 923, an ordinance amending chapter 914 of the zoning code of the City of Little Canada to set parameters for conditional use permits for detached accessory buildings. • Ordinance 924, an ordinance amending chapter 915 of the zoning code of the City of Little Canada to allow for accessory dwelling units and to improve accessory building standards. • Ordinance 925, an ordinance amending chapter 918 of the zoning code of the City of Little Canada to clarify setback exceptions and building measurements. • Ordinance 926, an ordinance amending chapter 919 of the zoning code of the City of Little Canada to add definitions relevant to accessory building and structures updates. • Approve a Summary Publication for Ordinances 922, 923, 924, 925 and 926 Background The city has undertaken a multi-phase effort to modernize its zoning code for improved consistency, clarity, and alignment with broader City goals. Each phase this year has focused on topics commonly addressed through zoning permits and daily development review. Earlier this year, the City adopted updates to regulations related to fences and driveways. The current phase addresses accessory buildings and structures, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and exterior material standards. These updates reflect direction provided during the June 2025 joint workshop of the Planning Commission and City Council and build upon additional input received at the September and October 2025 Planning Commission meeting. Over the course of those meetings, consensus was reached on key policy issues, including accessory building allotments, conditional use permit standards, performance-based criteria for ADUs, and improved exterior material requirements. The City Council reviewed the proposed ordinance changes at its November 13 and December 3, 2025, workshop meetings. The Council expressed broad support for the updates, with the primary discussion centered on performance standards for Accessory Dwelling Units.