The Baldwin Park City Council voted 4–0 on Dec. 3 to award a professional services contract to RRM Design Group to prepare preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction plans the city will make available to residents at no cost.

Staff and the consultant presented six conceptual plan types — studio (about 550 sq ft), one‑bedroom (about 800 sq ft) and two‑bedroom (about 1,000 sq ft) — each shown in Spanish and traditional architectural elevations. The plans, staff said, would meet minimum state and local ADU requirements and are intended to streamline plan check and permitting for homeowners. City staff recommended the award in the amount not to exceed $65,000 to draft full construction plans for the preapproved ADU templates. "In conclusion, staff recommends that the city council award a contract for professional design services to RRM Design Group in the amount not to exceed 65,000 to draft full construction plans for preapproved ADU plans to be made available to the public at no cost," the presenter said.

Councilmembers emphasized potential time and cost savings for homeowners. The presenter and staff said the streamlined, pre‑vetted plans reduce processing time because they are preapproved by the city's building and safety and planning divisions; one staff member cited typical homeowner design‑cost savings of roughly $6,000 to $12,000 compared with hiring outside design services. Staff also said the selected firm will relinquish copyright to the city so the city can control reuse and enforcement.

Councilmember Emmanuel de Estrada moved to approve item 6; Mayor Alejandra Avila seconded. Roll call votes recorded Councilmembers Ayala, Estrada, Lozano and Mayor Avila as 'Yes.' The motion carried 4–0. "I think it's a really good initiative, and it's gonna be helpful in helping people kinda get started on their projects," Estrada said during the discussion. Mayor Avila said she liked the Spanish style elevations and praised the program as a way to save residents time and money.

The city will return with contract documents and next steps for implementation. Staff said each purchaser of a preapproved plan will still need to prepare or update a site plan because lot configurations differ; the preapproved plans are intended to reduce design and review time rather than remove site‑specific checks.