Title
Study Session to Consider Draft Citywide Universal Design Ordinance Requirements and Standards
Body
BACKGROUND
Adopting a Universal Design Ordinance has been an important priority of the City since 2012, and the adoption of a Universal Design Ordinance is listed as a priority program in the City of Alameda Housing Element of the General Plan. In May 2016, the Planning Board established a joint subcommittee with the Commission on Disability Issues (CDI) to assist staff with the preparation of the draft Ordinance. Throughout the second half of 2016, staff has been working with the subcommittee to refine and improve the draft Ordinance. The subcommittee meetings have been particularly helpful to staff in the preparation of the draft Ordinance (Exhibit 1). At this time, staff requests that the full Planning Board and the public review and comment on the current draft Ordinance.
Staff is not requesting or recommending any final action at this time.
ANALYSIS
Exhibit 1 includes the most current draft of new Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-18 Universal Design Ordinance. The major provisions of the Ordinance include the following:
Section 18.1 - Purpose describes the purposes of the Ordinance. Additionally, the draft Resolution includes findings for the future adoption of a Universal Design Ordinance. These findings document and enumerate the public need for these land use regulations.
Section 18.2 - Definitions provides definitions for specific terms that are unique to this Ordinance. Any relevant terms that are already defined in AMC 30-1 Definitions are not included in Section 18.2.
Section 18.3 - Scope and Application states that the Ordinance applies to all new housing units developed in Alameda, with the following specific exceptions:
* Rehabilitation or expansion of existing units (e.g. second story additions, rear yard additions, kitchen remodels), and
* New units added to an existing building, (e.g. adaptive reuse of his...
Click here for full text