AgdaPkt 2000-02-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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gß~1 existed for many years and the neighbors and neighborhoods have lived with the increased density. Letters were sent to all property owners notifying them of the amnesty program and describing the penalties for not bringing a property into compliance during the amnesty period. (If caught after the amnesty period, they would be required to satisfy the requirements for new development or tear out the unit. In addition, a hefty fine would be levied. Also, relocation benefits of up to $5,000 can be requested.) Owners were required to document that the second living unit was built prior to January 1, 1992. The City reduced its parking standards for second units during the amnesty program in two ways. First, for houses built before 1949 (which were smaller) 2 off- street parking spaces were required. Second, for houses built after 1949 (which were larger) 3 off-street parking spaces were required. Today, 4 off-street parking spaces are required for new construction (2 spaces per unit). In addition, tandem parking can be used to satisfy parking requirements. The city charged a reduced fee of $100 for application and inspections (normally the fee would range between $2,000 - $3,000). The advantages of Daly City's amnesty program are that: . Housing units have officially been added to the housing supply, enabling the city to plan accordingly; . Many housing units were definitively classified as legal while others (which could not satisfy the modified parking standard or other standards) were classified~as illegal. This clarity expedites future enforcement related to illegal second units. In other words, the city drew the line in the sand by removing a large "gray" area and deciding not to tolerate any additional illegal units. . Some land owners received a benefit when their second units were legalized under the amnesty program. The disadvantages of Daly City's amnesty program are that: . The city lowered its parking standards in neighborhoods already impacted with many vehicles; . . The density of neighborhoods increased, including the impacts of increased density described earlier in this report. . Neighbors of those with second units legalized under the amnesty program do not have the same opportunity to build a second unit utilizing the reduced parking standards. Also, if the density standard for second units (which is established for each street and allocated on a first come, first served basis) has already been reached for a particular street, additional second units may not be built on that street. The San Francisco Board of Realtors contributed $20,000 for marketing efforts which really helped the program to succeed. e. Summary. Is this an issue the Council wants to address? Does the City Council want to take a more systematic approach to determining the number of or to legalizing units? Is it important to include assurances that the units will be affordable? Some methods which could be employed regarding legal nonconforming and Illegal units are: . Conduct a scientific, attitudinal survey of owners of residential property, Qy neiqhborhood, to learn who favors allowing more second units, and lor amnesty for existing units in their neighborhood. A survey can be completed in 3 months after a contractor is hired. (The Neighborhood Survey conducted last spring did not indicate -4- .. '-'-'- -"T'"