Study Session - Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Universal Design Ordinance Updates - A study session to discuss proposed zoning code updates to sections relating to the Universal Design Ordinance in Alameda Municipal Code Sections 30-18 (accessibility) and related technical amendments. The proposal is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), the common sense exemption where it can be seen with certainty that the proposed zoning text amendment has no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment because they relate to universal residential design (accessibility) standards, and a permit would be required for a project to apply these standards, at which time project specific impacts would be considered.
To: Honorable President and Members of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities
From: Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager and Secretary to the Board
SUMMARY
The Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) provides for universal residential design standards to enhance accessibility in all new residential development to meet the City's diverse housing needs. This is necessary to serve the people of the City of Alameda with mobility issues or who may develop mobility issues with age, as well as enhancing the full life cycle use of housing, without regard to the functional limitations or disabilities of a home's occupants. These standards apply to all new residential construction. The zoning code also provides exemptions for specific types of residential construction that are not readily suited to certain aspects of universal design, as well as providing a process for the Planning Board to grant waivers if certain findings can be made.
Staff has identified a group of related provisions and proposed edits as shown in the attachments to this report. The proposed amendments are intended to update all references to the Community Development Department and Director to instead reference the Planning Department ...
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