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Study Session to Consider Draft Text Amendment to the City of Alameda Zoning Ordinance (AMC Chapter 30) for Modification of Regulations Pertaining to Second Units (Accessory Dwelling Units), Accessory Structures, and Residential Parking Requirements for Additions of Floor Area to Comply with State Law. The proposed amendments are Statutorily Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15282(h).
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To: Honorable President and Members of the Planning Board
From: Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Allen Tai, Planning Services Manager
Deborah Diamond, Project Planner
BACKGROUND
On September 27, 2016, Governor Brown signed three bills into law (AB 2299, SB 1069, and AB 2406), which modify State regulations related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Government Code Section 65852.2. The State legislation is intended to address the current statewide housing crisis and increase affordable housing availability by streamlining local government approvals for the creation of ADUs also commonly referred to as "secondary units" or "granny flats".
The new State laws establish development standards for the regulation of ADUs by local government. Any existing local regulations that are inconsistent with the new State laws became null and void in January and are replaced by the relevant provisions of State law. Existing provisions that are consistent with State law or are not in conflict with State law may remain in effect. The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently published a memorandum intended to provide further guidance on implementation of the new State laws. It can be found at: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/docs/2016-12-12-ADU-TA-Memo.docx.pdf .
The purpose of the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) amendments described in this report is to bring the City of Alameda's local regulations into conformance with State law. As of January 1, 2017, the City began implemen...
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