Structure definitions receive clarification in Afton

Talk about it

Afton Planning Commission is hoping to clarify some of its code language.

Planning commissioners discussed the definitions of “accessory” and “principal” during their Feb. 6 meeting.

Afton has continuously run into frustrations when it comes to determining which structures constitute the principal and which are the accessory on its parcels within the city. This misinterpretation causes issues as it dictates which ordinances should apply to the structures.

Commissioner Tom Nolz raised the topic for discussion since a simple definition of both is needed.

“I opened this can of worms,” he said.

Nolz’s language suggestion would be to define a principal structure as the structure that contains the dwelling unit. The accessory structure would be any building in accessory to the use of the land.

For example, if a parcel includes a house and a barn, the home would be the principal structure and the barn would be the accessory structure.

However, for those agriculture properties that only include a structure as a barn, those would still be deemed an accessory structure as they are an accessory to the principal land uses, Nolz said.

Planning Commission was in favor of Nolz’s proposed language.

Nolz will work with city staff to draft proposed language to be presented at next month’s Planning Commission meeting.

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