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Mayor Howard and Councilmembers- March 7, 2021 <br />You have the opportunity tonight, yet again, to correct the huge misstep taken by <br />this City over three years ago with the adoption of an ADU ordinance that allowed <br />for 2nd story ADUs over detached garages at 28 'tall a mere 4 feet from the property <br />line. I have consistently argued to Planning Commission and Council that the City's <br />interpretation that state law required municipalities to allow such ADUs was <br />incorrect, and the representation by then Mayor Seybert (at the Council meeting <br />when the current ordinance was adopted) that the City had no choice but to allow <br />these types of ADUs, and at that height, was patently false. The state has now <br />corrected that lack of clarity. The charming pictures of one story detached cottages <br />that the state first distributed along with the first iteration of its ADU legislation <br />now matches the language and intent of the law- to streamline the construction of <br />single story attached and detached ADUs in the hopes of providing an increase of <br />affordable housing. <br />Although we seemed to have lost our way since the 28ft, second story ADU over a <br />detached garage ordinance was first discussed and ultimately adopted, I am happy <br />to see Staff s recommendation to correct that course. In addition to the <br />clarifications made to state law, our own zoning ordinance sets forth the intent of <br />the ADU ordinance, which is to allow them while respecting the character of the <br />residential neighborhood. (Zoning Code section 37-1(a)) Likewise allowance for two <br />story ADUs is also in conflict with the General Plan and its policies that seek to <br />protect and enhance the existing character of our neighborhoods. Single story <br />ADUs do no harm to adjoining properties, and treat all neighborhoods equally. <br />There should be no discussion or consideration of the alternative for 22 feet as some <br />council members have voiced support for in past meetings. <br />In addition to the recommendation for single story, 16 ft high ADUs, I also agree <br />with staffs recommendation to exempt lot coverage for single story ADUs. Single <br />story ADUs are far more economical to build (in fact there are companies <br />specializing in this type of ADU, manufacturing a "pre -fab" single story ADU that one <br />can simply plop in their backyard), and thereby incentivize development of single <br />story ADUs which may actually add to the need for affordable housing, vs 2 -story <br />ADUs that are typically used as additional living space for the existing homeowner. <br />In fact, my own unscientific survey of these exact types of "ADUs" that have been <br />built in my neighborhood reveals that only one is being used as additional housing <br />stock- i.e. housing for an aging parent, boomerang young adult child, or rented at an <br />affordable rate. The most egregious were all built as a more affordable alternative <br />to add additional living space to the primary dwelling- more affordable than adding <br />a second story to the existing home. The permanent negative impacts abound. <br />Aside from the simple aesthetics and loss of privacy, neighborhoods are fractured. <br />We have lost at least one family who chose to move out of our City altogether after <br />the ongoing harassment they experienced because they did not want a two-story <br />house 4 feet from their back fence and sought the City's assistance to reduce its size. <br />