Agenda Items & Discussion

• ADU ordinance amendments (old business): Planning staff presented draft language responding to concerns that some accessory dwelling units are nearly as large as the primary home. Staff noted that 95% of current ADUs are 75% or less of the primary unit's size and 78% are under 50%. Discussion covered whether the front of an ADU should be set back from the primary home, and a size standard of the lesser of a percentage of the primary home or 800 square feet.
• ADU size and small homes: Council members cautioned against penalizing owners of small homes, noting a two-car garage is roughly 420 square feet and that apartments over garages are common in older neighborhoods. Staff were asked to craft language preserving that option and to prepare a table showing how different size rules would work.
• Side setbacks and screening: Staff raised a proposed 10-foot side setback or a privacy fence/tree buffer for ADUs in established neighborhoods. Members were disinclined toward the fence/buffer requirement, citing cost, neighbor disputes, and enforcement, and favored restricting the ADU entrance from the side-yard setback instead. Staff noted primary homes can already be built at 5 feet.
• Other ADU topics: Staff suggested reorganizing the ordinance, explicitly stating that ADUs do not count toward maximum density, and allowing covered decks or porches. Staff will also review the number of basement/garage conversions and a corner-lot property with two similar front-facing homes.
• Vape/recreational substance retail stores: Staff reported on state (TABC) rules, including a 1,000-foot distance from schools, age restriction of the premises, and required floor-space diagrams. Staff recommended regulating through zoning, is drafting a broader definition that excludes convenience and grocery stores, and is awaiting a list of permitted stores from TABC to map locations, consider a possible cap, and examine co-location with liquor stores. A courtesy letter about sign rules to existing stores was suggested. Council members voiced health and public-safety concerns and noted frequent requests to locate such shops.
• Committee structure and zoning case timeline: Members discussed whether presenting zoning cases one week before council votes is sufficient and favored moving the presentation to the last Tuesday of the month, about two weeks before the council hearing, to reduce deferrals.

Key Decisions & Votes

• No formal votes were taken at this committee meeting.
• The chair removed the proposed vacant property legislation from the agenda for lack of new information.
• Staff were directed to return in about two weeks with ADU language and questions by email; a working draft on vape stores will follow once TABC provides its store list.
• By consensus (no vote required), the chair will move the zoning case presentation schedule to the last Tuesday of each month, two weeks before the council meeting.