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New idea proposed for guesthouses
posted 1/25/2006
During the Jan. 20, 2006 workshop on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) regulations, a former University professor suggested a simpler solution to the density puzzle. Barbara Bentley suggested focusing on the environmental effect and using impervious surface as the measure. She said, "It doesn't matter if you park your car, your horse or your mother-in-law."
The county could create a table showing the amount of impervious surface allowed in different land use classifications. "These changes would get rid of 90 percent of the bickering," she said. "If it was impervious it wouldn't matter if it was attached or detached. You'd get rid of the nitpicky micro-management details.
She handed the planning commissioners a one page paper detailing changes to the existing county code.
The commissioners were interested in her suggestion but didn't think it could be incorporated into the current process. Commissioner Barbara Thomas said it would take the county at least a year to consider such a change.
The additions to existing county code are underlines. Deletions are in parantheses. Bentley's suggested revisions are:
18.20 Definitions
"Residential Density" means the percentage of land area affected by the presence of dwellings and other related features that create imprevious sufrace on a given parcel.
"Permanent resident" means an individual who resides in a dwelling unit for more than 30 consecutive days.
18.30.020 Land use regulations -- alowable and prohibited uses by designation and allowable residential densities.
D. Allowable Residential Density
1-13 unchanged
14. To preserve the rural character of the county, the residential density in rural land districts (SJCC 18.30.040) shall be limited.
a. For the purposes of this section, the measure of residential density shall be the percentage of land area in square feet that is classified as "impervious surface" including roofs, patios, packed earh, and oiled surfaces (SJCC 18.20.090) on a given parcel of land.
b. The maximum residentail density for a given parcel is based on the land-use designation for that parcel as given in SJCC 18.60.050 Table 6.2.
c. The maximum number of permanent residents on a parcel classified as "single family " may not exceed 8 individuals.
d. all activities including clearing, grading and building construction, that create impervious space, shall follow the appropriate codes and regulations for San Juan County and the State of Washington, including the UBC, the UDC, SEPA and other standards as may apply.
e. Under special circumstances, variances may be granted if compliance to these regulations would result in greater environmental degradation thatn the proposed alternative.
18.40 PERFORMANCE and USE-SPECIFIC STANDARDS
18.40.240 Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
A. Where not otherwise prohibited by this code, one internal, attached or freestanding accessory dwelling unit is permitted on any lot having a single-family
residence as the principal use of the lot. This ADU shall (not) be counted in density calculations (and shall not require a density in addition to that for the principal residence) as provided in SJCC 18.30.020.D.14
B-G unchanged.
H. No more than one structure shall be designated as an accessory dwelling unit on any residential lot unless the applicable (density) parcel size for that lot allows for additional residences.
I. unchanged
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