Title
An Ordinance to Amend Section 5:1(1), 5:10.2, 5:10.4, 5:10.5 and 5:10.10 of Chapter 55 (Zoning Ordinance) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Accessory Dwelling Units) (Ordinance No. ORD-16-16)
Memorandum
On April 19, the Planning Commission recommended approval of zoning text amendments related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Environmental Commission passed a resolution supporting proposed changes on March 24, 2016 and the Housing and Human Services Board passed a similar resolution on May 12, 2016.
City Council held a work session on May 9th as ADUs are one of the council priorities for 2016. At the work session City Council considered the matter. The discussion led to a few changes to the text amendment. The update has a date of 5/24/16.
Description and analysis
Chapter 55 (Zoning), Section 5:1 (Definitions) - In this section, Accessory Apartment will be renamed Accessory Dwelling Unit, and ADUs can be allowed in accessory structures. Occupancy standards are removed in the definition as they are addressed in the text of Section 5:10.2.
Chapter 55 (Zoning), Section 5:10 (R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, R1E, single family district)
A purpose statement was added. Proposed amendments allowing ADUs in R2A, but only on parcels with a single family dwelling unit; and exclude parcels that have a duplex.
Owner-occupancy is required in either the primary or accessory dwelling unit. While an absence is allowed, it cannot exceed 6 months in a calendar year. The owner may live in either the ADU or the principal unit.
As proposed, ADUs can be developed as part of the primary unit (basement, attic, addition), or as a detached accessory structure. Legal, conforming accessory structures built before Dec. 31, 2016 can include an ADU. In addition, existing legal accessory structures constructed before December 31, 2016 and more than 200 square feet can be demolished and rebuilt to include an ADU. While this might encourage more access...
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