AgdaPkt 2003-10-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i�.�.�� "California Register of Historical Resources". She said it was very fimiting and asked if it could be broadened to include the City's list of historic references. Mr. Brower said, unfortunately the language is taken directly from the State Code. Mr. Church summarized thc� Text Amendment — Article 37 — Accessory Dwellings as follows: Accessorv Dwellin4s: Mr. Church said the State has tried to provide more of an incentive for cities to actually approve more accessory dwellings. He said that the State has taken some of the discretion out of the existing law, and tried to make it more of an "over the counter" approval process. He said the accessory unit may be attached or detached, and can not exceed more than 640 square feet. It can have no more that one bedroom, one street entrance to the main unit, and the entrance to the second unit must not be visible from the street. It must have not less than three parking spaces. Since the approval must now be non- discretionary (meaning if the applicant meets the standards, the permit must be issued over the counter) design review would be limited to objective criteria such as consistent materials and maintaining the same roof pitch and overhang. Mr. Church referred to the language on Circle Page No. 17-K, which referenced the design standards that are not yet drafted, but will be. He said those standards will capsulate both the requirements for one story and two story additions. Commissioner McCoy asked if a homeowner wants to initiate the process, would they come to the counter and apply for a building permit? Ms. Ekas said yes, if it is a one story addition. Commissioner McCoy asked it staff would make any distinction between an addition to the existing structure versus a detached structure for a single story? Ms. Ekas said no. Commissioner McCoy asked if in general an applicant applies for and gets approval for this kind of an addition, is there a time limit (e.g. one year for completion)? Ms. Ekas said Building Permits need to be kept active. Building will send out a letter giving a time limit to the applicant, if there is no permit activity. Mr. Church said since drafting the Ordinance, Attomey Brower had questioned two facets of the new Ordinance: First, would the accessory unit be limited to 650 sq. ft. as defined in the City's existing Ordinance, or would the accessory unit be allowed to be up to 1,200 sq. ft. as discussed in State law. Secondly, did the main unit have to be owner- occupied, or did State law simply require that one of the units be owner-occupied. Commissioner Garcia asked Mr. Church if one of the units still has to be owner- occupied, is there any language in the ordinance to assist the Ciry in •keeping track or preventing a property from moving out and renting both units. Page 5 of 15