Transcript Accessory Dwelling Units Regulation Update Planning Commission Hearing October 29, 2014 What is an ADU? Second unit, accessory to main house  Attached or detached 

Accessory Dwelling Units
Regulation Update
Planning Commission Hearing
October 29, 2014
What is an ADU?
Second unit, accessory to main house
 Attached or detached

What are the current
regulations?
1 acre
 1200 square feet or 40%
 Attached or detached
 Family member only
 Water and Sanitation
 Board of Adjustment hearing

Why are we updating?
Initiated by Aging Well in Jefferson
County
 60+ Population will double by 2030
 Increases housing options

Benefits to Seniors





Move in with or near family (Important!)
House a caretaker
Remain on their property and rent out
home to supplement fixed income
Convenience (transportation, doctors,
groceries, churches)
Delay institutional living (costly to society)
Community Benefits
Maximizes Existing Infrastructure
 Increases Rental Options and Overall Housing
Supply
 Solution for Housing Needs for Seniors

Recommendations from Aging
Well:
Remove minimum lot size requirements
 Remove family member only restriction
 Limit occupancy to 3 people
 Require owner occupancy

Recommendations from Aging
Well:
Allow an administrative process
 Include design and visitability
 Require on-site parking
 Do not require limits on ADU’s per
neighborhood

Research
1 unit per year per 1000 single-family
households
 1.2 persons per unit
 Affects on property value: Depends
 Arvada (2007), Golden (2010), Lakewood
(2013)

Proposed Changes
Lot and Unit size
 Occupancy
 Process

Lot and Unit Size
Reduces lot size for Attached units
 Reduces both lot and unit size for
detached units

Lot and Unit Size
Attached Unit
Detached Unit
Minimum Lot
Size
Minimum lot size 1 acre
of underlying
zone district
12,500 sf
7,500 sf*
Maximum Unit
Size2
1200 sf or 40%
of primary unit1
800 sf or 40%
of primary
unit1
600 sf or 40%
of primary
unit1
1Whichever
1200 sf or 40%
of primary
unit1
is less
Limitations on the size of the accessory dwelling unit shall be in conformance with the
accessory uses section.
* Detached accessory dwelling units are not permitted on lots less than 7,500 sf.
2
Occupancy
Owner-occupied
 Properties better
maintained if
owner lives there

Process
Administrative
 Notification
 Lot and Building
standards

Design
Privacy
 Architecture
 Height
 Entrance

Other Minor Changes
Parking
 Subdivision
 Water and
Sanitation
 Access

Public Outreach
Referrals
 Two Public
Meetings
 HOA meetings

Outstanding comments
Fire District approval
 Hearing process
 Administrative relief of standards
 Enforcement of standards

Recent Changes
Replace Principal with Primary
 D.1. – Remove “clearly” and identify units
 D.2. – Clarify “another single residence”
 D.2.b.(1) – Clarify residency
 D.2.b.(2) – Clarify total square feet
 Table 1 – Add asterisk and superscript
 D.2.b.(3) – Spell out three
 Modify Accessory Dwelling Unit
Definition

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Planning
Commission recommend APPROVAL of
these regulation revisions to the Board of
County Commissioners