AgdaPkt 2018-08-27 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8.A. - Page 3 the issues raised by residents. This research would take approximately four months, depending on the breadth of the City Council's direction. When providing direction, staff recommends considering the following factors: • The Building Code issues recently identified are relatively straightforward. The Code Enforcement Division resolves hundreds of cases each year related to work that was done without permits. Staff does not believe further direction is needed in this area. • The number of people living in a home, or how much of the home each person rents, does not determine whether a home is "single-family". The definition of Single - Family Home relates to the structure itself. Government regulations do not define what a family is, or who qualifies to live in a single-family structure. Furthermore, the City cannot regulate who purchases a home, or whether the person buys it to live in it or to rent some or all of the home to other people. • There are state and federal laws including housing discrimination laws that may prevent further regulations. The City Attorney's Office will need to be heavily involved in the policy discussion and research. • Some of the concerns noted in recent communications (parking, noise, etc.) are heard throughout the City, and not just in renter and roommate situations. Other tools, such as neighborhood permit parking, may more effectively address these types of concerns rather than regulating the landlord/tenant relationship. • As has been discussed at numerous City Council meetings over the past three years, there are significant housing challenges in the Bay Area. Renting a vacant room within an existing home is a relatively affordable housing solution. Further limitations of room rentals may could negatively impact people who are looking for a place to live. • Staff is currently working on a number of other high priority policy issues, including innovative approaches to address housing needs and neighborhood compatibility policies and regulations. Focusing on drafting and implementing shared long-term housing could de -prioritize current work. Staff will address this further at the City Council meeting. As noted above, if directed by Council, staff will research what, if any, potential policy solutions are available for Council consideration.