Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee Meeting - September 9, 2025
Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee Meeting - September 9, 2025
The Housing Urban Development and Zoning Committee met on September 9, 2025, to discuss and vote on Board Bill 60, which would permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right in residential districts. The meeting included approval of minutes from August 25, 2025 (note discrepancy: the provided meeting date is September 9, 2025, but the minutes approved refer to August 25, 2025), public testimony, and a unanimous vote to pass the bill with a "due pass" recommendation.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from August 25, 2025: Moved by Vice Chair Sany, seconded by Alderwoman Keys, passed unanimously with 6 aye votes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Charlie Hinderleiter (St. Louis Realtors, Live 63143): Expressed strong support for Board Bill 60, highlighting benefits for multi-generational living, aging in place, and increasing housing supply and affordability.
- Casey Milberg (Chief of Staff for Mayor Spencer): Expressed the mayor's office's full support and excitement, noting the bill's importance for tornado recovery and housing solutions.
Discussion Items
- Presentation by Miriam Keller (City Planning), Evan Winkler (Zoning), and Mary Hartburton (Building Division) on ADU regulations. They explained that current zoning treats ADUs as primary dwellings, requiring variances, which adds time and cost. Proposed changes include definitions, dimensional standards, reduced barriers, and permitting ADUs by right.
- Alderwoman Clark Hubbard (sponsor) emphasized the bill's long journey and its potential for multi-generational housing, aging in place, and tornado recovery.
- Several committee members asked questions and expressed support:
- Alderman Cohn: Raised concerns about non-owner-occupied properties using ADUs for profit, potential for out-of-state investors, and the impact on single-family districts. He asked about regulations preventing such scenarios and was informed that tenure is not restricted, but the bill allows flexibility. He also asked about utility separation.
- Alderwoman Schweitzer: Inquired about parking requirements, the example of an ADU conversion, and the setback variance (3 vs 4 feet). She noted that many ADUs already exist in her ward.
- Alderman McKee: Asked about mail delivery for ADUs and access to yards. Staff responded that addressing is handled through the zoning office and that yard access is a landlord-tenant matter.
- Alderman Browning: Expressed support, noting that ADUs already exist and the bill helps build missing middle housing.
- Alderman Aldrich: Made a motion to advance the bill (seconded and passed).
- Alderman Cohn (second round): Continued inquiry about separate utilities for ADUs.
- The committee discussed the iterative nature of ADU regulation and the upcoming zoning update.
Key Outcomes
- Board Bill 60 was passed unanimously (7 aye votes) with a "due pass" recommendation, moving it to the full Board of Aldermen.
- Several aldermen requested to be added as co-sponsors: Alderman Cohn, Alderman Keys, Alderman Browning, Alderman Aldrich.
- The committee acknowledged four written testimonies in support.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. We'll call today's housing urban development and zoning committee meeting to order. Madam Clerk, please file the role. Audiment Cone. Present. Auto Woman Sweitzer. Present. Auto Woman Keys. Here. Vice Chair Sonier. Present. Autumn and Browning. Present. Autumn and Aldrich. Chair Clark Hubbard. Here. We have six present. We have a quorum. With that, I'll accept an approval for the minutes from Tuesday, August 25th, 25. So moved. Second. It was moved by Vice Chair Sany and segmented by Audder Woman Keys that we approve the minutes for Tuesday, August 25th, 2025. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Autumn and Cone. Aye. Audible woman sweitzer? Aye. Audio Woman Keys. Aye. Vice Chair Sonier. Aye. Autumn and Browning. Aye. Autumn and Aldrich. Chair Clark Hubbard? Aye. We have six aye votes. All right. With that, I will turn it over to Vice Chair Sainye. Honorable Woman Hubbard, you are recognized to speak to Board Bill No. 60. Thank you, Vice Chair Steingey. Madam Clerk, would you please read the summary for Board Bill 60? Board Bill 60, sponsored by Alder Woman Clark Hubbard, co-sponsors, President Megan Green, Alder Woman Danielle Velasquez. Rasheen Aldrich, an ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission amending chapter 26 of the zoning code, defining, permitting, and regulating the cessory dwelling units and containing a severability and emergency calls. Thank you, Madam Clerk. With that, I'm looking forward to our conversation today. If one of the things I mentioned when we were in planning commission with this, is that the wheels of government here in our beloved city will definitely teach you how to be patient and manage your expectations. And so while I very aggressively introduced this and was very excited in 2023, I'm very quickly learned about some additional steps that I needed to take. And I'm so glad and grateful now for that time that we took because I learned so much more, grateful for the work that I was able to do with the planning division with the zoning uh department and with our allies and people that were advocates for this in community.
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