Table of Contents

Accessory Dwelling Units

This county’s comprehensive plan includes several policy recommendations that support the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Housing and Neighborhoods element recommends offering grants and loans to add attached or internal ADUs to existing residences as a strategy to help residents age in place (HN4.2). This element also recommends revising the county’s zoning code to remove regulatory barriers to ADUs as a strategy to increase housing for vulnerable populations (HN5.1). The Community Heritage, Culture, and Design element recommends initiating urban design contests for ADUs as a strategy to research and apply urban design best practices (HD11.3).

Comprehensive Planning

This county's comprehensive plan, adopted in 2014, achieved Bronze-level recognition in APA's Comprehensive Plan Standards for Sustaining Places Recognition Program Pilot in 2017. The plan designates eight Regional Transit Districts, which are the focus of the County's planned growth and mixed-use development, and which have the capacity to become major economic generators. Six Neighborhood Reinvestment Areas are designated for coordinated funding and resources needed to stabilize and revitalize these areas. Also identified in the plan are Rural and Agricultural Areas composed of low-density residential, agricultural uses, and significant natural resources that are recommended for continued protection and investment in order to maintain critical infrastructure. The plan contains recommended goals, policies, and strategies for the following elements:

• Land Use
• Economic Prosperity
• Transportation and Mobility
• Natural Environment
• Housing and Neighborhoods
• Community Heritage, Culture, and Design
• Healthy Communities
• Public Facilities.

Plan implementation through prioritization of strategies, measuring short- and long-term success, public and municipal engagement, intergovernmental coordination, and public-private partnerships are also described.