Title
Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Regulations Pertaining to Second Units/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), and Related Regulations, for Compliance with State Law. (Community Development 481005)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Regulations Pertaining to Second Units/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), and Related Regulations, for Compliance with State Law
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. This State legislation is intended to address the current statewide housing crisis and increase affordable housing opportunities by removing barriers and streamlining the approval process for the creation of ADUs (also commonly referred to as "secondary units" or "granny flats").
Any existing City regulations that are inconsistent with the new State laws became null and void as of January 1, 2017, and are replaced by the relevant provisions of State law. 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.
The Planning Board held a study session on April 10, 2017, to discuss the amendments, and on May 22, 2017, voted (5-1) to recommend that the City Council adopt the draft text amendment to modify regulations pertaining to ADUs.
DISCUSSION
The proposed amendments to the Alameda Municipal Code would maintain the basic structure of the existing Second Units regulations, but modify the regulations that are not in compliance with the new State laws. These are as follows:
Changes Required to Comply with State Law:
1. Change the name of Second Unit t...
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