12/15/2005: "1st Workshop on ADU Compromise To Be Held"

The Planning Commission will hold a public workshop on December 16, 2005 in the Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room, Friday Harbor at 9:15 a.m. Staff will present a preliminary draft of amendments to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission will then accept oral and written comment on the preliminary draft ADU amendments.

This is the first step in a number of open hearings and workshops that have come about due to the appeal of the current ADU regulations and the decision by the BOCC to try and work out a compromise with those who have appealed it. The compromise by the BOCC was done against the recommendations of the office of the SJC Prosecuting Attorneys Office. previous story and links
Note: Once the BOCC signs off on any changes or recommendations by adopting an Ordinance, the content of the Ordinance is subject to the appeal process. This appeal period will allow a challenge to the Ordinance to be filed and argued in a pubic hearing.

As per the County Public Participation Plan, the Plan will::

Review and revise the Accessory Dwelling Units regulations and policies in San Juan County that need review by all concerned parties or their representative stakeholders, as necessary for a variety of reasons including:

To make the code current and compliant with Growth Board standards under the Growth Management Act (GMA)

To satisfy density and environmental concerns related to permitting of new ADUs

To improve its implementation;

To incorporate new information, changes in law, correction of errors, and clarification of intent. As part of the public outreach and participation program, the County must consider how best to revise the code related to Accessory Dwelling Units, items considered should include all of the items identified as elements described as components of The Proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance in the Progress Report and Motion to Amend Compliance Schedule (No. 03-2-0003c), Friends of the San Juans, Lynn Bahrych and Joe Symons (Petitioners) v. San Juan County (Respondents).

The "Elements for Code Revisions" items include:

1. Some detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed in the Rural and Resource Lands;
2. Minimum parcel size;
3. Protection of rural character;
4. Uses of Detached ADUs, and
5. Shoreline Conditional Use and Substantial Development Permits
6. Definitions

The code items listed above shall not limit the county or its citizens from addressing other items directly related if other things arise that are germane to addressing the items charged and assuring useable code to implement Accessory Dwelling Units law provided that Growth Board compliance is met regarding ADUs. The code items listed above will be the focus for drafting Code (SJCC chapter 18) revisions for the consideration of the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners through their respective public hearing and adoption processes.

The next meeting on ADUs will be: January 2006 (exact date to be determined in December): Planning Commission Workshop: Items 1-6 Staff draft of any revisions to amendments presented to Planning Commission Planning Commission will then accept oral and written comment on the revised draft ADU amendments.