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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - 13USINESS—flONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM Governo <br />-A USING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT <br />DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT <br />2020 W. E[ Camino Avenue, Suite 500 <br />Sacramento, <br />(916) 263-29111 1 1 FAX FAX ( (916) 263-7453 Attachment C <br />www.hcd.ca.gov <br />June 5, 2019 <br />Diana O'Dell, AICP, Acting Planning Manager <br />Planning & Housing Services <br />City of Redwood City <br />1017 Middlefield Road <br />Redwood City, CA 94063 <br />Dear Diana O'Dell: <br />RE: Redwood City Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance <br />Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on Redwood City's proposed <br />ordinance amendments regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). Specifically, the city <br />requested guidance related to ADUs above garages and maximum unit sizes. The <br />Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) offers these comments for <br />the city's consideration. <br />The California legislature found and declared that, among other things, allowing ADUs <br />provides additional rental housing (Government Code Section 65852.150). ADUs are an <br />essential component of addressing housing needs in California and include options for <br />family members, friends, students, the elderly, in-home health care providers, people <br />with disabilities and others. Consistent with statutory intent, HCD encourages the city to <br />utilize its authority to promote the supply of this valuable form of housing, including <br />creatively thinking about ways to address potential issues related to heights and <br />setbacks. <br />ADU law (Government Code Section 65852.2) addresses barriers, streamlines <br />approvals and expands capacity for ADUs in recognition of their unique importance to <br />confront California's housing crisis. The preparation, adoption, amendment and <br />implementation of local ADU ordinances must be carried out in harmony with Gov. Code <br />Section 65852.150 to encourage the creation of this important housing type. At the <br />same time, local governments may apply development standards and may designate <br />where ADUs are permitted (Government Code Sections 65852.2(a)(1)(A) and (13)). <br />However, standards and designated areas must not be designed or applied in a manner <br />that burdens or unreasonably restricts the development of -ADUs; rather, standards <br />specified in the city's ordinance should maximize the potential for ADU development. <br />Finally, ADUs within existing structures, including garages, must be allowed in all zones <br />allowing single family uses without locational requirements or development standards, <br />including heights and maximum unit sizes. <br />259 <br />