pages: CityCouncil/2022-01-04.pdf, 11
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CityCouncil | 2022-01-04 | 11 | The Planning, Building and Transportation Director gave a PowerPoint presentation. (22-023) Councilmember Herrera Spencer moved approval of allowing an additional 5 minutes for the presentation. Councilmember Knox White seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. *** Councilmember Knox White inquired how many properties could accommodate 10 units under the rules. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded that he does not have an actual number; stated staff believes the amount to be very little; the City has allowed second units; about 9,500 homes have second units; 2021 has been the biggest year for second units in Alameda; only 21 property owners from the R1 district requested a second unit; staff does not believe there is huge demand for R1 property owners to max out and build 10 units; the standard approach or request will be for one additional unit; no one has submitted an application and staff has not received calls regarding Senate Bill (SB) 9 units; 10 additional units per year is the maximum. In response to Councilmember Herrera Spencer's inquiry related to findings, the City Attorney stated one neighboring jurisdiction had health and safety findings due to fire safety near hillsides; staff prepared findings that are included in the emergency ordinance in the best way possible; the SB 9 regulations would lead to a faster and more prompt creation of units, which is critical to resolving the State's housing crisis. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the basis for the other cities' findings were related to fire safety; to which the City Attorney responded in the affirmative; stated the jurisdiction found that there needed to be regulations imposed to ensure hillside and fire safety risk mitigation. Councilmember Daysog stated several cities have adopted SB 9 using the framework of a maximum of four units; he does not see why the Alameda cannot use the same maximum. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated every city has been hustling to develop regulations and have been learning from each other; most cities assumed four units were possible; the City can write a provision for applicants to request a lot split and have the units limited to four; if an R1 property owner is allowed a duplex, staff cannot limit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU); ADUs can only be limited if an applicant comes in with a lot split first; SB 9 can prevent applicants from building more than four units; staff is struggling with instances where the limitation is not allowed under SB 9; discussed examples of applicants being able to build five units under the current ADU ordinance; stated SB 9 regulations allows two units plus ADUs; SB 9 limits units with a lot split; if applicants come in and apply for units without an initial lot split, they can return in one year after building units to request a lot split to build more units on the new, vacant lot; staff does not have all the answers and no city does; staff will need to make decisions over-the-counter once the first application comes in and there will be no public hearings with Council and Planning Board; the most effective way to structure the current matter Regular Meeting Alameda City Council January 4, 2022 11 | CityCouncil/2022-01-04.pdf |