City council discusses affordable housing options

BONNERS FERRY — A lack of affordable housing was a key topic of conversation at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Contract Planner Clare Marley presented a new proposal from the Planning and Zoning Commission to make amendments to city zoning codes to allow for “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs), the result of a recent Fair Housing Assessment.

ADUs are smaller detached or attached housing units placed on the same lot or parcel as the primary dwelling without counting against density standards. They would only be allowed in residential zones and the proposed ordinances would apply to the city of Bonners Ferry only.

The discussion addressed standards for the possible new ADU ordinances, which include a maximum size of 800 square feet or 40% of the primary home, whichever is less; 400 square feet minimum; maximum of two bedrooms; limit of one ADU per lot or parcel; and more. Another option considered was raising the detached unit size to 50% of the primary home.

City Engineer Mike Klaus also discussed the impact this would have on city water and sewer, whether these ADUs would be on a separate water meter and sewer system and how a second dwelling on a lot or parcel would affect water usage.

While the land use code does not address sewer/water hookup fees and other service line requirements, Klaus recommended that ADUs be assessed full hookup fees to ensure fairness with other housing developments such as apartments.

The proposal would also make changes to setback standards of lots or parcels to provide more flexibility to the current requirements. These changes would apply to eaves, gutters, bay windows and other above-ground features to allow for overhang into required yards.

In order to address the setback standards, Marley also noted some needed yard revisions in order to define where the front of the property begins. Common wall agreements and stormwater and snowshed issues were also discussed.

The proposal came from sample codes, mostly from the state of Washington.

The council agreed on making minor changes to the proposal, also noting that before it can go into effect a public hearing would need to take place. No date for such a hearing was set at this time.

Marley also addressed making changes to RV park standards. The changes would require any park plan to include the extent and area used for camping purposes, roadways and driveways including width and surface type, location of sites, location and number of service buildings, method of sewage and trash disposal, plan for water and electrical supply and landscaping provisions.

Other features like lighting, lot size and parking were included in the proposal. It also stated that RVs, motorhomes and travel trailers could not be used as permanent living quarters.