Title
Study Session On Zoning Code Amendments - Reasonable Accommodation - Study session to discuss proposed zoning code amendments to provide streamlined approval of requests for reasonable accommodations, i.e., exceptions to zoning restrictions to allow physical modifications to buildings and sites to provide access to housing for persons with disabilities. CEQA Determination: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Body
TO: Honorable President and Members of the Planning Board
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Section 30-5.17 of the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) provides a procedure to obtain exceptions to otherwise-applicable zoning code standards in order to facilitate equal access to housing opportunities by persons with disabilities. These provisions are required to comply with State and federal fair housing laws. Referred to as "reasonable accommodation," the provisions, as applied to zoning codes, are meant to allow various physical modifications to a building or site that aren't otherwise allowed or to allow them with administrative approval instead of requiring a public review process that could delay or complicate the approval of what is otherwise a legally mandated adaptation to ensure fair access to housing. Although fair housing law applies to discrimination of any kind, reasonable accommodation in this context is primarily aimed at facilitating housing choice for persons with disabilities through modifications to buildings and sites even if inconsistent with local zoning and development regulations. The City of Alameda's (City) existing code is in need of revisions to simplify the procedure for obtaining these accommodations.
BACKGROUND
The City's 2023-2031 Housing Element commits the City to review and amend the zoning code "to ensure certainty and eliminate discretionary review" for requests for reasonable accommodation. (Housing Element p. 34.)
According to the California Code of Regulations (CCR), section 12176:
(a) A reasonable accommo...
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