Title
Public hearing to consider amending Alameda Municipal Code Chapter 30 (Development Regulations) Section 30-4.1, R-1, One-Family Residence District and 30-2 Definitions to bring the R-1 regulations into compliance with State Law and implement Senate Bill 9. The proposed text amendments are exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to SB 9, which states that an action by a local agency to adopt an ordinance to implement the provisions of SB 9 shall not be considered a project under Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code
Body
To: Honorable President and Members of the Planning Board
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) was signed by the Governor in September 2021 and goes into effect on January 1, 2022. SB 9 requires local jurisdictions to grant ministerial, by-right approval of duplexes and lot splits in single-family (R-1) residential zones if they meet certain criteria.
Although the City of Alameda ("City") is not required to adopt an ordinance to implement SB 9, staff recommends amending the R-1 zoning regulations to establish clarity and certainty for staff, property owners, and the larger community. In this case, clarity and certainty are particularly important because the ministerial process required by SB 9 is one implemented entirely by City staff, without any public notice, public hearings, or Planning Board review or assistance.
This report describes staff's recommended amendments to the R-1 District and the Zoning Code definitions. A separate report describes objective design standards that will be used by staff to review future design proposals subject to SB 9. Exhibits include:
1. The text of SB 9.
2. A map showing the location of the R-1 Districts in Alameda.
3. A report by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation, July 2021, estimating the impact of SB 9 in California.
4. A draft Resolution recommending the proposed changes to the City Council.
BACKGROUND
SB 9 is intended to ease the restri...
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