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8.B. - Page 1 <br /> REPORT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the City Manager <br /> January 27, 2014 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Zoning Code Amendments for Reasonable Accommodation, Transitional and <br /> Supportive Housing and Small Residential Care Facilities <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Hold a Public Hearing, Waive the First Reading and Introduce an Ordinance to (1) add <br /> Article 56 establishing a Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance and (2) amend Article <br /> 2 revising the definition of dwelling to include transitional housing, supportive housing, <br /> and small residential care facilities as mandated by State law. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> Federal and State fair housing laws prohibit municipalities from discriminating against <br /> individuals with disabilities through land use and zoning procedures. Staff recommends <br /> a Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance (Attachment 1) that would provide a <br /> streamlined review and approval procedures by which individuals with disabilities can <br /> request relief from strict application of the City's Zoning Ordinance. Adoption of a <br /> Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance also serves to implement provisions of the <br /> City's 2010-2014 General Plan Housing Element and will qualify the City for an <br /> expedited review of the 2014 Housing Element update. <br /> The State also requires that cities consider transitional housing, supportive housing, and <br /> small residential care facilities as a permitted residential use of property where other <br /> residential uses are permitted. <br /> The Planning Commission held a public hearing on this item on November 12, 2013. <br /> After receiving public testimony, they recommend that the City Council adopt the <br /> ordinance in accordance with staff recommendation. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> The Redwood City 2010 General Plan has goals, policies, and implementation <br /> programs relating to reasonable accommodation and transitional and supportive <br /> housing as well as residential care facilities. <br /> The Fair Housing Acts require that municipalities provide flexibility or even waive certain <br /> requirements when it is necessary to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities for <br /> people with disabilities. Under the City's current Zoning Ordinance, any request to <br /> deviate from development standards or procedures requires a Variance application, <br />