AgdaPkt 2019-08-26 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.A. - Page 38 of 85 1VI0RRIS ARCHITECTURE HOME SIZE RESTRICTIONS — FLOOR AREA RATIO Attn: City Council, Redwood City Date: 08.08.19 Regarding upcoming 8126119 hearing for consideration of new restrictions. 1 am a residential architect, based in Millbrae, and practicing architecture on the peninsula, including Redwood City, for the past 16 years. Over the past 3 years, Morris Architecture has had 15 residential projects either completed or currently active, which is a large percentage of our work as a small firm. As an architect, I am involved with homeowners from the earliest conception of their home improvement project, through to completion. I am very familiar with Redwood City zoning codes and refer to them regularly for my projects. Floor Area Restriction While it is common on the peninsula to have floor area restrictions, we feel that 40% of the lot area, or 2,500 sq. ft., is a significant and excessive reduction to the unlimited floor area allowance that has been in place. In comparison to the downtown commercial density that has been encouraged recently, this restriction seems out of place with the new character of the city. In comparison with neighboring cities which are less `urban' than RWC, 40% FAR is less dense than every other city along the El Camino corridor, which again seems out of place (see comparison below). My clients on the Peninsula are regularly seeking homes with living space between 2,000 sq. ft. and 3,500 sq. ft., and this new restriction would quickly render a majority of RWC properties as undesirable. An average 6,000 sq. ft. lot has a max potential living space of 2,100 sq. ft. (2 car garage = 400 sq. ft.). I imagine many potential development projects would be drawn elsewhere. Have property values and property tax revenue been taken into account? If all homes are limited in floor area, it seems that development momentum in this city will dwindle, and potential tax revenue will be capped. Is this the intended result of these restrictions? Notification Unfortunately, we were surprised to learn of this upcoming hearing agenda only last week, through a client who saw a news article. I visit the Community Development Department often, speak with peer architects and countless residents and clients, and i would hope these decisions would make it my way months in advance. - What notification measures have been taken so far, to announce this upcoming decision? www.morris-arch.corn VSillbrac. CA 1AM111 314