Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

TO:	Thomas M Markus, City Manager
FROM:	Mary Miller, Planner
DATE:	July 11, 2016
RE:	TA-15-00461, Accessory Dwelling Units in Unincorporated Portions of Douglas County

Background

On September 2, 2015, the Board of County Commissioners initiated a text amendment to the Zoning Regulations of the Unincorporated Territory of Douglas County and the Subdivision Regulations for Lawrence and the Unincorporated Areas of Douglas County, Kansas to add Accessory Dwelling Units as a permitted use in the unincorporated portion of the county and to establish standards for the use.

On April 25, 2016, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward the text amendment to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation for approval.

On May 25, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the text amendment revising the Zoning Regulations for Douglas County and the joint Subdivision Regulations.

On June 1, 2016, the Board of County Commissioner adopted Resolution No 16-16 with the changes made to the Douglas County Zoning Regulations

Discussion

The changes proposed will only affect properties within the unincorporated portion of the county; however, the amendment to the joint Subdivision Regulations requires both City Commission and the Board of County Commissioners approval through the adoption of a joint Ordinance/Resolution. Revisions proposed to Sections 20-804 and 20-806 of the joint Subdivision Regulations will allow the development of an Accessory Dwelling Unit on a Residential Development Parcel created through the Certificate of Survey process.  The Incorporation by Reference document with the proposed changes is attached (new language is shown in bold underlined italics. 

Action

Adopt Joint Ordinance No. 9264 Resolution No._______ to allow Accessory Dwelling Units in the unincorporated portion of Douglas County.