05/03/2006: "Guest House Decision Continued to Friday"

Approximately 30 people showed up on Tuesday to observe the continued deliberations by the County Council on the ADU ordinance. Having run out of time last Tuesday Previous Story , the CC had continued the meeting to the following Tuesday (May 2), but were still unable to come a decision, and over the objections of Bob Myhr, broke early, and continued the meeting to Friday, May 5.

What the Council had in front of them was the PC (Planning Commission) proposed ordinance that had been submitted to the CC by the PC for their review, but the severe restrictions on ADUs the PC came back with were contrary to what the CC had sent to the PC for their review.

In response to the PC draft, Councilman Myhr had introduced his draft proposal at the previous meeting, and by the May 2 meeting Chairman Lichter had also submitted -in writing- his idea on how to solve the ADU problem. At the start of the meeting Lichter gave a history of the ADU legislation and appeals, then asked Myhr to make his comments, followed by Ranker, after which Lichter would give his opening remarks.

Myhr explained his thoughts that led to the ideas contained in his draft. The Myhr draft would allow some freestanding ADUs, in addition to also allowing them to be attach to accessory structures, or to a main house, as long as all of the structures were contained in an 80' circle; a point that he was adamant on, but did not explain the reason for the 80 foot number. He also suggested a "cap" be put on the number of units that would be allowed.

Ranker did not have any specific draft language, but stressed the need to make a decision that would bring the County into compliance with the state. He noted that there seemed to be a consensus by the Council to allow some detached ADUs, and he was in favor of informing the Court of Appeals that the County wished to withdraw their request for a stay on the Court's ruling. He also expressed a concern that the County may lose out on grants if they continue to be out of compliance.

Lichter then spoke. With respect to Myhr's comments on the allowing of free-standing ADUs -which Ranker had previous stated he was in favor of- Lichter said "It is a crazy idea. We have already been told that GMA (Growth Management Board)will not allow them!" Myhr demurred, stating he would "love to make the argument before the GMA", and that things have changed at the state level. Lichter also dismissed Ranker's comments as "general terms" and that "his suggestions will lead to all kinds of problems…there are too many detached buildings that would end of allowing too many ADUs"

Lichter suggested that the Council adopt his proposal, which was to take the first four pages of the original ADU ordinance that the CC had sent to the PC, and "insert" them into the draft ordinance the PC had sent back to them. He would also remove and altered some of the language in the PC draft ordinance.

Myhr asked Randy Gaylord if the changes would require a new public hearing, and was told the it would. The Council agreed to continue the deliberations to Friday, and asked the staff to make adjustments to the proposal to insert the four pages of the Councils draft into the Planning Commission draft that would reflect some of the ideas that had been expressed by the Council in the meeting.