Summit County officials are continuing to look for ways to spur the development of accessory dwelling units, which they say are another tool for delivering more long-term housing for county residents. 

During a Dec. 19 Summit Board of County Commissioners meeting, officials with the county’s planning department laid out several proposals that would tweak county code for detached dwelling units by increasing height and size limits and reducing set back distances. 

According to Senior Planner Simon Corson, the changes, if approved, would increase the height limit for dwelling units from 25 feet to 35 feet. Corson said that for dwelling units already attached to a primary residence, such as those that sit above garages, those are already allowed to be 35 feet.

“So we don’t feel this would change the prevailing land-use pattern,” he added. 

Another proposal is to increase the footprint limit for units from 550-square-feet to 1,000-square-feet, so long as the units are built on lots that are less than 5 acres. The changes would also cut the set back requirements, meaning the space between detached dwelling units and primary homes, in half, going from 15 feet to 7.5 feet. This would only be in effect for lots already zoned for duplexes. 

Finally, planning officials recommended reducing parking requirements from two spaces for all dwelling units to one space for a studios or one-bedroom units. Units with two or more bedrooms would still be required to have two parking spaces. 

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Commissioner Nina Waters said she was supportive of the changes, adding, “I think it’s all great movement to get rid of some of the red tape that is currently in place.”

Commissioner Tamara Pogue said she has heard concerns from some residents that the changes would increase density in certain neighborhoods. Officials responded that increasing the size limits will mean lots that previously could only support a studio dwelling unit will now be able to support a one-bedroom, for example. 

“We’re essentially allowing these units to be more livable,” Pogue said back. 

Housing Director Jason Dietz said because the county already allows for dwelling units to be built in certain areas, “We’re not changing anything with density. All we’re doing is allowing flexibility for people that want to build an (accessory dwelling unit)” to build one that will work for their needs. 

Dietz added that the county’s housing department continues to hear from property owners who want to build dwelling units but find themselves stifled by the current size and height restrictions. 

Commissioners’ support of the proposed changes, which now go before the Countywide Planning Commission, mark the latest in a string of efforts to encourage the development of accessory dwelling units. 

Earlier this year, the county rolled out a subsidy program that would pay homeowners tens of thousands of dollars for building a dwelling unit, so long as the homeowner agreed to place work requirements and rent caps on the unit. Homeowners also have the option of occupying the unit themselves and renting their primary home to a member of the workforce. 

The county plans to fund that program next year, with $750,000 budgeted as part of a more than $17 million spending plan for affordable housing initiatives.