SANDPOINT - City leaders are often forced to walk a tightrope, ushering in inevitable growth while staying true to the community's core characteristics.

 Many Sandpoint officials believe a proposed zoning ordinance will make inroads on both of those fronts.

The council continued to work on a plan Wednesday that would legalize the construction of accessory dwelling units in residential neighborhoods.

ADUs, which are currently illegal in many parts of town, are living quarters attached to or created within single family dwellings.

The goal of the ordinance is to create more housing within the city without disrupting the aesthetics or feel of historic neighborhoods, said Councilwoman Carrie Logan.

"It will help increase density within town, bring into compliance those existing ADUs, and, ultimately, it will develop different housing that can contribute to the area's housing stock as well as contribute to the economics of homeowners," Logan said.

City Planner Jeremy Grimm estimates there could be as many as 300-500 ADUs currently in Sandpoint, many of which are operating illegally. The new ordinance would give residents with existing ADUs a chance to come forward and legalize the units, which Grimm said is imperative to ensuring the safety of ADU tenants.

"First and foremost, we need to legitimize what is illegally occurring today and make sure it's done safely and in a way that (emergency medical services) know where these things are and can regulate them for health and safety," Grimm said.

Proponents of the plan also hope legalizing the units will help to diversify existing neighborhoods by bringing in residents of varying ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

"Too frequently, housing projects appear to compartmentalize people (into certain areas of town). Why not draw those people out and integrate them into the fabric of our community rather than just making them the people that live in one corner of town?" Grimm said.

If the plan is adopted, homeowners with existing ADUs would have a finite amount of time - most likely 18 months - to bring their units up to city building code. 

Grimm acknowledges that bringing some ADUs up to code could be a pricey endeavor, but said the process will pay off in the long run both financially and in terms of safety.

The council, which has taken up the issue at both its September and October meetings, will look to make the ordinance law at its November session.