Title
Public Hearing to Introduce an Ordinance Amending Chapter 30 of the Alameda Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) to Remove Barriers and Add Incentives for Second Units. The proposed amendments regarding Second Units are Statutorily Exempt pursuant to Section 15282(h), for the adoption of ordinances implementing AB 1866 - Second Unit Law (Government Code Section 65852.2).
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Allen Tai
Planning Services Manager
BACKGROUND
In November 2015, the Planning Board recommended changes to the Second Unit Ordinance as a result of the existing ordinance only generating two units since 2010. The amendments recommended by the Planning Board primarily lower the minimum lot size requirement and eliminate the requirement for one additional parking space when creating a second unit. The existing minimum lot size requirement of 7,500-square-feet and additional parking requirement limit the number of single-family properties that qualify for a second unit (Exhibit 1).
On December 15, 2015, after considering the Planning Board-recommended amendments, the City Council directed staff to modify the Second Unit Ordinance to ensure that the revisions would result in more affordable second units with minimal transportation and parking impacts on the neighborhood. Specifically, the Council was concerned that second units would impact existing neighborhoods by generating cars that would end up on neighborhood streets. The Council also directed staff to assess opportunities for second units to count as affordable units to meet the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Staff is requesting the Planning Board review and recommend approval of the new revisions to the Second Unit Ordinance drafted per Council direction.
DISCUSSION
To meet the Council's twin objectives of increasing opportunities for small, affordable second units, while creating little to no impact on neighborhood transport...
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