ADRIAN — A proposed replacement for the city of Adrian’s zoning ordinance will be considered by the Adrian City Planning Commission and the Adrian City Commission over the coming weeks.

According to planning commission chairman Mike Jacobitz, many of the proposed changes to the ordinance are aimed at making it simpler and easier to read and interpret. 

However, the proposal does include a few changes to the city’s zoning rules.

One change would make it easier to build accessory dwelling units in the city. Accessory dwelling units, such as small residences that are often called in-law apartments, would be allowed in any residential district, although there would still be size and setback requirements to meet.

Another would require monument-style signs for businesses rather than signs on top of poles. Existing pole signs could stay, but new or replacement pole signs could not be put up.

And there would be height restrictions on buildings in the Education, Research and Office district going forward. The lack of such a restriction in the current zoning ordinance generated discussion after the erection of Adrian College’s new sports dome, which many neighbors opposed.

Jacobitz noted that any changes to the ordinance would only affect new projects and would not require property owners to change anything they have now.

The proposal is on the agenda for the next Adrian City Planning Commission meeting, which will be on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. in the City Chambers Building, 159 E. Maumee St.

It must be approved by both the planning commission and the Adrian City Commission before it can go into effect.