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6.C. - Page 17 of 29 <br />DISCUSSION <br />In December 2019, the San Mateo County Grand Jury surveyed the city managers of all 20 cities <br />in the County regarding passage of California laws concerning Second Units. The survey <br />inquired about plans for the implementation of these new laws in each jurisdiction.22 With the <br />exception of East Palo Alto and Millbrae, all of the jurisdictions responded to the survey, and all <br />were aware of the new laws. Many were preparing to find ways to initiate the development of <br />more Second Units in their jurisdictions. Their main concerns included: <br />o short amount of time between passage of the laws and the need to implement them; <br />o perceived conflicts and inconsistencies within the new State laws; <br />o loss of local control might lead to community backlash; <br />o inadequate staffing to handle the potential increase in Second Unit interest; <br />o homeowner's ability to secure funding for the construction costs; and <br />o availability of sufficient extra neighborhood parking. <br />Opportunity for New Second Units <br />Housing advocates consider Second Units to be "low -hanging fruit" for the development of new <br />housing inventory. There are about 155,000 single-family homes in San Mateo County with only <br />4,000 Second Units on those properties, so there is a potential for thousands of new Second <br />Units. Since 2010, there has been a steady growth in Second Unit approvals throughout the <br />county, according to San Mateo County's Annual Jurisdiction Survey.23 <br />To take full advantage of new opportunities for ADUs created by the 2020 State bills, cities <br />throughout the county are updating their zoning ordinances to be in compliance with the new <br />State laws. Additionally, many cities are focused on streamlining their individual Second Unit <br />permitting process as well as the process that will provide amnesty for pre-existing, non - <br />permitted Second Units.24 <br />Several new online tools — including tools at h s:llsecondunitcenter.or (a website maintained <br />by the County) — identify potential sites for Second Units, calculate estimated costs, and <br />streamline the process of building a Second Unit, thereby making Second Unit development an <br />easier option for homeowners to consider.25 They include: <br />o Ilu s-Y/bttild.svmbiL]M.COM/ <br />Using this link, residents and planners in Redwood City, Pacifica, and Unincorporated <br />San Mateo County can quickly determine whether a Second Unit is allowed at a <br />particular address and if so, what specific development standards (State and local rules) <br />apply. More cities will be added to this list in the near future.26 <br />22 Survey questions are listed in Appendix C. <br />23 "Accessory Dwelling Units Approved by Jurisdiction" (2010-2018, with 2019 data added), Annual Jurisdiction <br />Survey. See chart and graph in Appendix A. <br />24 Grand Jury interviews. <br />25 Online Tools from companies like Symbium allows anyone to understand whether a Second Unit is allowed on a <br />particular parcel. See httlss:llbuild.symbium coin <br />26 Second Unit Resource Center handout. Ittt •:Ilsecondunitcentersmc.or <br />2019-2020 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury <br />142 <br />