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File 2002006 Page 5 changes to the house be kept to a minimum to not substantially alter the single-family character of the structure. The City of Stillwater allows accessory dwelling units as a permitted special use and has implemented the use of detached accessory units at the Liberty on the Lake development. Stillwater requires design review for consistency with the primary unit in design, detailing, and materials. The recently approved Seven Greens subdivision is modeled on the same "traditional neighborhood design" principles as Liberty on the Lake. As previously stated, the developer of Seven Greens indicated a strong interest in providing the option of accessory units to potential buyers. Lastly, accessory dwelling units would not affect the way that density is calculated for a development. A single-family home would be considered to be one dwelling unit, regardless of whether or not it includes an accessory dwelling unit. 4. PROPOSED AMENDMENT: This proposed amendment would allow accessory dwelling units within residential subdivisions that have received preliminary plat on or after June 1, 2001 and that include ten or more single- family lots, upon approval of an administrative permit. The first part of the amendment would provide a definition for "accessory dwelling unit" in the Zoning Ordinance, as follows: Dwellin2 Unit. Accessory: A self-contained dwelling unit having its own kitchen and bathroom facilities, and which is designed as a second separate dwelling unit that is clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal use of a lot as a single-family detached residence. Under the draft ordinance, a new subsection entitled "Accessory Dwelling Units" would be added to Section 21190 of the Zoning Ordinance entitled "Specialized Housing." In order for an administrative permit to be approved, an accessory dwelling unit must meet all 13 of the following conditions: (a) An accessory dwelling unit shall be located above an attached or detached garage that is accessory to a single-family detached home located in the RSF-l, RSF-2, or PUD zoning district. This condition would be required 1) because, due to Building Code requirements, it would be prohibitively expensive to provide an accessory unit within a portion of an existing home, and 2) so an accessory unit would not substantially alter the single-family character and appearance of a home. Allowing the units to be arranged in a side-by-side manner or within a portion of the principal-unit structure could result in a home that has the appearance of a townhome- which would not be compatible with the character of a single-family neighborhood. The condition also requires the accessory dwelling units be located within the RSF-1, RSF-2, or PUD district to ensure that accessory dwelling units are not placed on lots that may be too small to support two dwelling units, as well as the additional parking that would be needed for the accessory dwelling unit. ,'2