After a lively discussion, the Florence City Council approved an ordinance relating to accessory dwelling units (ADU) within the City of Florence.

“(City Planner) Wade (Broadhead) has already addressed the lot size for 4,000 to 5,000,” said Mayor Dick Upton on Monday during the City Council meeting. “Five thousand is still like 37 by 140. A lot of lots are 50 in our main residential area by 140, which is 7,000 square feet, which is pretty fair size lot to be adding to. Five thousand may not be real common for somebody adding an accessory unit.”

During the discussion, Councilman Allen Knisley said he wanted to change part of it.

“It looks all right except Section F, No. 2,” he said. “I would like to see a strike through that entire exemption. Other than that, I'm good with the rest of it. I think it's pretty well done.”

This section of the ordinance states, “Severability. If any article, section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each part or parts thereof irrespective of the fact that any one part or parts be declared unconstitutional or invalid.”

At that point, the audience had an opportunity to provide their input to the discussion.

Theresa and Craig Haven said they would like to add an ADU to 422 Pikes Peak Ave.

“We're looking into adding an ADU to the property and move in parents,” she said. “Craig's parents are doing well, but having trouble living alone. We're looking to build an ADU and a three-car garage with a living area above it. It's a corner lot with about 7,000 square feet.”

Knisley said this is the exact purpose the city is working on this.

“I would like to state why I object to No. 2,” he said. “If we take what is essentially a nice quiet neighborhood and turn it into low rent housing because that is absolutely going to be the lowest rent on the whole block. When you do that and have two rentals on the same lot like that, you have no pride in ownership whatsoever. The people who live adjacent to you are just at your will and you really can't do anything about what's going on once that's in the works, taking two residents in the lot like that. I certainly would like to see that changed.”

Councilwoman Krystal Wood said she didn't object to this section.

“I respectfully disagree,” she said. “We do have a lot of summer residents who (do not live here year round). We need to take that into consideration as well.”

At that point, she made a motion to approve the ordinance as written. However, three council members voted for it while three voted against it.

City Attorney Matt Krob said the motion failed at that point unless someone wanted to amend it.

When Knisley made the amended motion, the council unanimously passed it.

In other business, the council made the following decisions:

Approved the Florence Brewing Company co-event with Florence Pioneer Museum on May 8.

Approved a special events permit for the Special Forces Motorcycle Club event from noon to midnight April 17.

Approved a resolution supporting the old Florence High School by working to get it on the National Historical Registry and the local one.

Approved a contact for American Water Infrastructure Act.