As the Golden Valley Planning Commissions prepares to hold an informal public hearing Mon, Oct 10, 2022, 6:30 pm on adding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) to the city code, residents unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to share feedback on the proposed ordinance change using Golden Valley Speaks, a new online public hearing tool.
ADU refers to a secondary housing unit or apartment that exists on the same property as a single-family residence, either attached or detached from the primary residence (see image). These dwellings are commonly used for housing an adult child, aging parent(s), or for property owners to make supplemental income by renting out the unit.
Using Golden Valley Speaks, community members can watch a recorded staff presentation on the topic that will be shared at the Oct 10 meeting, review the staff memo and other materials as they are uploaded, and leave comments that will be entered into the public record and reviewed by planning commissioners and the City Council. Similar to in-person public hearings, residents are asked to leave their name and address for the pubic record. Comments without a name or valid address will be rejected.
Moving forward, the City's Planning Commission will continue to Golden Valley Speaks for similar public hearing-related items. As staff and community members learn the tool, presentations, memos, and other supporting documents are expected to be published on Golden Valley Speaks 7–10 days prior to the meeting date and feedback will be collected up to 24 hours before the meeting date and time. Comments will then be reviewed by commissioners before the meeting.
To watch the staff presentation on ADUs and to review supporting documents for the proposed city code change, visit Golden Valley Speaks.
To learn more about ADUs, read about past community input opportunities, and for a step by step guide to using Golden Valley Speaks, visit the City website.