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1 <br /> 10.A� I <br /> REPOR T <br /> — To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the Ci Mana er <br /> DATE: t�ctober 13, 2003 <br /> SUBJECT: Zoning Text Amendments <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> The Planning Commission recommends to the City Council that it a) determine that the <br /> following amendments are in the public interest and b) adopt the Zoning Text <br /> Amendment Ordinances as follows: <br /> a. Amend Article 32 (Supplemental Provisions) to conform to recently enacted <br /> state law as it relates to the review and granting of density bonuses. <br /> b. Amend Article 37 (Accessory Dwellings) to conform to recently enacted state <br /> law related to the city's discretionary review of accessory dwelling units and <br /> establish objective criteria for architectural review. <br /> c. Amend Article 41 (Amendments) to also allow City staff to initiate zoning <br /> amendments. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> Staff is proposing to make changes to the City's zoning ordinance in order to conform <br /> — to new state law and also to allow staff the ability to initiate amendments to the Zoning <br /> Ordinance. New State law effective on July 1, 2003, requires staff to amend several <br /> portions of its Zoning Ordinance as it relates to density bon�ses and accessory <br /> dwelling units. The intent of these changes is to allow density bonuses for certain <br /> moderate income projects and also to limit City review authority for accessory dwelling <br /> units in the hope of simplifying the process and creating more affordable housing. <br /> (Please refer to the attached Planning Commission staff report and minutes dated <br /> August 5, 2003 for more discussion). <br /> AMENDMENTS <br /> Densitv Bonuses • <br /> Specifically, the new law determines how a City may review and grant density <br /> bonuses, and allows for a density bonus for "moderate" income units as well as for very <br /> low, low income, or senior units'. The City must grant a 10% density bonus to <br /> residential condominium projects that include at least 20% of the units for moderate <br /> income households. <br /> Under the new law, the City must approve the density bonus and another density <br /> incentive or concession (e.g. variances to parking, setbacks, etc.) when and if the <br /> applicant requests it. The City shall grant the density bonus or incentive unless the <br /> City can make the written finding of either the following: a) the incentive ar concession <br /> — ' Moderate Income households are those households eaming 120% of the San Mateo County median <br /> income for a family of four or $109,800. This translates in an affordable rent payment of $2470 for a two <br /> bedroom unit. <br /> 1 <br />