[ Council Communication ]  [ ORD Chapter 18.16 ]

Council Communication

Title:	Second Reading of an Ordinance Modifying Chapter 18.16 of the Ashland Municipal Code, Land Use Ordinance, Allowing Accessory Residential Units as a Conditional Use in the RR-.5 Zone.
Dept:	Department of Community Development
Date:	August 20, 2002
Submitted By:	John MeLaughlin, Director of Community Development
Reviewed By: .............................	Greg Scoles, City Administrator

Synopsis:	When the City initially adopted the accessory residential unit ordinance in 1991, the Rural Residential and Woodland Residential zones were intentionally lef~ out of the ordinance, and the new units were limited to the R-1 zones. The main reasons for this were related to environmental concerns due to building on steeper slopes and in wildfire areas, and also concerns with transportation, specifically the distance residents would have to travel, especially through established neighborhoods. Since that time, the City has found that the accessory residential unit ordinance has been a good tool in accommodating growth within our existing boundaries and in providing an alternative housing style from standard single family detached homes in these neighborhoods. The Planning Commission has held two study sessions on this topic, and have guided Staff to prepare the appropriate ordinance amendments. The Planning Commission held a public heating regarding this issue on July 9, 2002 at which time they voted to recommend to the Council allowing accessory residential units in the RR-.5 zone. Also included in the motion was direction to also allow accessory residential units in the WR zone. The City Council held a public hearing regarding this issue on July 9, 2002 at which time they approved the ordinance amendments for the RR-.5 zone, and directed staff not pursue an additional changes in the WR zone.   Staff has also reviewed the concerns raised by the Council regarding accessory units being built on vacant parcels prior to the construction of the primary residence.  This has occurred twice under the existing ordinance in the R-1 zone, and in both instances, the structures were of appropriate size and scale for the neighborgood and Staff did not believe that the effort circimvented the intent of the ordinance.  In fact, it allowed the owners an opportunity to move onto the property witha a living quarters while they then built the primary home.  It provided an alternative to renting elsewhere, and gave them a rental unit for the future.
Recommendation:	Staff recommends that the Council approve second reading of the RR-.5 ordinance.
Fiscal Impact:	None

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ORDINANCE NO.

AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING CHAPTER 18.16 OF THE ASHLAND MUNICIPAL CODE, LAND USE ORDINANCE, ALLOWING ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNITS AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE RR-.5 ZONE

THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Section 18.16.030.J. Conditional Uses is added to the Ashland Municipal Code and shall read:

"J. Accessory residential units, subject to the Type I procedure and criteria, and the following additional criteria:

1. The proposal must conform with the overall maximum lot coverage and setback requirements of the underlying zone.

2. The maximum number of dwelling units shall not exceed 2 per lot.

3. The maximum gross habitable floor area (GHFA) of the accessory residential structure shall not exceed 50% of the GHFA of the primary residence on the lot, and shall not exceed 1000 sq. ft. GHFA.

4. Additional parking shall be in conformance with the off-street Parking provisions for. single-family dwellings of this Title.

5. If the accessory residential unit is not part of the pdmary dwelling, all construction and land disturbance associated with the accessory residential unit shall occur on lands with less than 25% slope.

6. If located in the Wildfire zone, the accessory residential unit shall have a residential sprinkler system installed.

7. The lot on which the accessory residential unit is located shall have access to an improved city street, paved to a rriinimum of 20'. in width, with curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.

8. No on-street parking credits shall be allowed for accessory residential units in the RR-.5 zone."

The foregoing ordinance was first read by title only in accordance with Article X, Section 2(C) of the City Charter on the 6th day of August, 2002, and duly PASSED and ADOPTED this ____day of August, 2002.
Barbara M. Christensen, City Recorder

SIGNED and APPROVED this _____day of August, 2002.
Alan W. DeBoer, Mayor

Reviewed By:
Paul Nolte, City Attomey

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