Workshop to gather early feedback on a draft ordinance amending Title 17 relating to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Conduct a public workshop to gather early feedback on a draft ordinance amending Title 17 relating to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)  

The Planning Commission is being presented with an early draft of an ordinance (Attachment 1) that would amend the City’s regulations pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units or “ADUs”, which include both full Accessory Dwelling Units, and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units or “JADUs”.  This workshop is meant to gather feedback from the Commission and the public alike on any and all aspects of ADU regulation.  It is important to note that no decisions or formal recommendations are being made at this meeting.    

Some of the specific early feedback that staff is requesting to be received from the Planning Commission includes:

• The overall format and usability of the ordinance.  For example, the ordinance is generally organized into ADU regulations on “single-family properties” and “multi-family properties”.  How does the Commission feel about this approach?
• High level ADU policies addressed in the ordinance.  For example, many of the topics discussed at previous Planning Commission meetings have been included in the ordinance such as total floor area, design standards, inter-accessibility with the main house, and timing of approval relative to the single-family residence.  Are there any other policy considerations to be included?
• Important Objective Design Standards.  In this draft, the City proposes to create a specific set of objective (ministerial) design standards for ADUs.  The final list of standards has not been completed, but staff is seeking direction from the Commission of what elements of design should be attempted to be addressed with an objective standard.  For example, if it is important that ADUs have wood or aluminum clad wood windows, then this can be an objective (“yes” or “no” question) standard.
• Any and all other feedback.  As a workshop on an early draft, the goal of this meeting is to gather as much feedback as possible.  The Commission is encouraged to consider all aspects of the draft ordinance. 

Following this workshop, staff will take the feedback received, and prepare a complete “first draft” of the ordinance package, which will include objective design standards.  This draft will be brought back to the Planning Commission in the near future for a formal recommendation to the City Council. 

Not Applicable.  As a workshop on a draft ordinance and, this action will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment.  Nothing is being approved by the Planning Commission.  Therefore, the action does not qualify as a “project” as defined in section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, and is not subject to environmental review.