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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution 2022-001212022 PC RESOLUTION 2022-0012 i CITY OF ATASCA®ERC RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ONS ANG CITY OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND TITLE 9 PLANNING & ZONING, TO ADD CHAPTER 18: URBAN DWELLING UNITS URBAN DWELLING UNITS (ZCH21-0006) WHEREAS, The City of Atascadero (6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422), is considering Zone Change Text Amendments to Title 9 to accommodate Senate Bill 9; and WHEREAS, the State of California has adopted Government Code Section 65852.21 which mandates that cities update and adopt standards and requirements related to urban dwelling units; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes opportunities to implement policies and programs of the Atascadero General Plan housing element providing for, and regulating, expanded housing opportunities for all persons within the community, and WHEREAS, state law allows cities to designate requirements fpor urban dwelling units based on health and safety standards, such as the adequacy of water and sewer services and the impact of accessory dwelling units on traffic flow and public safety. WHEREAS, large portions of the City of Atascadero where residential uses are permitted do not have access to City sewer and are served by private individual on-site wastewater treatment systems, and WHEREAS, an overconcentration of nitrogen can occur where the density of on-site wastewater facilities exceeds a density of 1 system per half acre, and WHEREAS, an overconcentration of nitrogen can degrade water quality and impact the natural environment, and WHEREAS, the City has a responsibility to ensure that groundwater quality is not degraded by an overconcentration of nitrogen to ensure safe drinking water for the community both from the municipal water supplier and private individual wells. WHEREAS, portions of the City of Atascadero are within heightened fire severity zones where adequate access is required to ensure the safety of residents and allow for evacuation of neighborhoods, and WHEREAS, the California Code of Regulations sets forth standards for minimum access requirements from residential neighborhoods, and WHEREAS, the City has an obligation to enforce the California Code of Regulations, and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to enact these amendments Title 9, Planning and Zoning, of the Municipal Code for consistency with State law and to maintain a clear and legible set of Zoning Regulations that is easily interpreted by the public and staff, and, WHEREAS, the laws and regulations relating to the preparation and public notice of environmental documents, as set forth in the State and local guidelines for implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been adhered to; and, WHEREAS, a timely and properly noticed Public Hearing upon the subject Planning and Zoning Text Change application was held by the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero at which hearing evidence, oral and documentary, was admitted on behalf of said Planning and Zoning Text Amendments; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, California makes the following findings, determinations and recommendations with respect to the proposed Zoning Code Text Amendment: SECTION 1. Findings for Approval. The Planning Commission finds as follows: A. Findings for Zone Text Amendment: 1. FINDING: The Planning and Zoning Text Change is consistent with General Plan policies and all other applicable ordinances and policies of the City. FACT: The proposed zoning code text updates an existing chapter for consistency with State law. The updates are consistent with the City's recently adopted Housing Element and are intended to implement Government Code Section 65852.21. 2. FINDING: This Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance will provide for the orderly and efficient use of lands where such development standards are applicable. FACT: The proposed text contains provisions that address the unique characteristics of Atascadero and provide for safe and orderly development of Urban Dwelling Units consistent with State law. 3. FINDING: The Text Change will not, in itself, result in significant environmental impacts. FACT: The State of California does not recognize urban dwelling units as primary units for the purposes of determining density. In addition, the City has included standards to ensure that groundwater and fire safety impacts are mitigated. B. Findings related to Urban Dwelling Units FINDING: The limitations on location of areas appropriate for urban dwelling units are based on health and safety concerns related to water quality and the California Code of Regulations Section 1273.08. FACT: The City conducted a nitrogen loading analysis to determine locations where ADUs could be constructed without degrading water quality and creating unsafe drinking or environmental water conditions. Standards have been included only where necessary to ensure water quality. In addition, standards also include consistency with additional State laws including the California Code of Regulations Section 1273.08 SECTION 2. CEQA. This Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public resources Code Section 21000 et seq., because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the enactment of this Ordinance would have a significant effect on the environment (Pub. Resources Code § 21065; CEQA Guidelines §§ 15378(b)(4), 15061(b)(3). SECTION 3. Recommendation of Approval. The Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, in a regular session assembled on August 2, 2022, resolved to recommend that the City Council introduce for first reading by title only, an Ordinance that would add Chapter 18 to Title 9 of the Atascadero Municipal Code, consistent with the following: EXHIBIT A: Municipal Code Chapter 18, Title 9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be delivered forthwith by the Planning Commission Secretary to the City Council of the City of Atascadero. On motion by Commissioner Anderson, and seconded by Commissioner Schmidt, the foregoing resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety by the following roll call vote: AYES: Anderson, Carranza, Heath, Hughes, Keen NOES: None Eva-181.13111L�'T'i7n ABSENT: van den Eikhof ADOPTED: 8/2/2022 CITY OF ATASCADERO, C Jeffv Eikhof Planning Commission Chairper Attest: Phil Dunsmore, Planning Commission Secretary Exhibit A Chapter 18 9-18.001: Urban Dwelling Units. The following sections establish standards for the development of Urban Dwellings Units (UDUs) consistent with Section 65852.21 of the Government Code. Urban Dwelling units that comply with this chapter are considered not to exceed the density limits prescribed within this title for residential zoning districts. 9-18.010 Purpose 9-18.020 Definitions 9-18.030 General Requirements 9-18.031 Applicability 9-18.032 Development Standards 9-18.053 Development Fees 9-18.010 Purpose. (a) The purpose of this chapter is to prescribe development and site regulations that apply, except where specifically stated, to Urban Dwelling Units (UDUs). This chapter is intended to implement Government Code Section 65852.21, as amended from time to time. Implementation of this section is meant to expand housing opportunities by increasing the number of smaller units available within existing neighborhoods while meeting statewide housing goals and responding to wildfire and wastewater constraints. (b) The City recognizes opportunities to implement policies and programs of the Atascadero General Plan housing element providing for, and regulating, expanded housing opportunities for all persons within the community. (c) Implementation of this chapter is meant to expand housing opportunities for very -low, low and moderate -income and/or elderly households by increasing the number of affordable by design and rental units available within existing neighborhoods. 9-18.020 Definitions. As used in this chapter: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). ADUs are defined by Government Code Section 65852.2 to mean an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. ADUs shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and shall have a bathroom, and shall be located on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling per the standards set forth in this section. An Accessory Dwelling Unit also includes an efficiency unit as defined in Section 17958.1 of the Health and Safety Code and a manufactured home as set forth in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code. Existing Structure. For the purposes of this chapter and implementation of Gov't Code Section 65852.21, an existing accessory structure or existing primary structure is defined as a structure, or the confines of a structure, that has received a passed final inspection prior to January 1, 2020. Guesthouse. Guesthouses are defined as residential occupancy construction (R) structures permitted prior to 2004 with a full bathroom, partial kitchen, and are the same as a residential dwelling unit for the purposes of defining use and calculating fees. Individual Property Owner. A natural person holding fee title individually orjointly in the person's own name or a beneficiary of a trust that holds fee title. This does not include any corporation or corporate person of any kind (partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, C corporation, S corporation, etc.) except for a community land trust (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 402.1 (a)(1 1)(C)(ii)) or a qualified non-profit corporation (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 214.15). Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU). JADUs are defined by Government Code Section 65852.2 to mean a residential dwelling unit internal to an existing or new primary dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. JADUs shall include permanent provisions for living and shall be located on the same parcel and within the same structure as the single- family dwelling. A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit also includes an efficiency unit as defined in Section 17958.1 of the Health and Safety Code. Primary Dwelling Unit. A primary dwelling unit (primary unit) is a principal or urban dwelling unit. Principal Dwelling Unit. An existing or new proposed dwelling unit on a residential zoned legal lot of record permitted as allowed by the City's zoning and allowed density of the parcel and not constructed under the provisions for Chapter 5 or Chapter 18 of this title. Any additional existing units above the base residential density shall be considered an ADU or UDU. New units built as part of an S139 lot split shall not be considered a principal dwelling unit if a principal unit already exists on the parent parcel or new parcel that is created from the lot split. Residential Single -Family Property. A property zoned for single-family development with a base density of one dwelling unit per parcel. Short -Term Rental: Short term rentals (vacation rental) shall be defined as rental units with stays of 30 consecutive calendar days or less per individual or party. Urban Dwelling Unit (UDU). A primary dwelling unit established or proposed to be developed in accordance with the standards, procedures, and requirements set forth under Government Code section 65852.21 and this chapter, either as a primary or second primary unit on a parcel. Urbanized Area (UA). An urbanized area is a census boundary designated by the US Census Bureau. Urban Lot Split. A lot split that divides one single family parcel into two lots consistent with Government Code section 65852.21 and consistent with Title 11. 9-5.030: General Requirements (a) Building Permit Required. A building permit application shall be required for the construction, occupancy or conversion of any UDU. (b) Ministerial Review Process. An application for development of a UDU will be reviewed as a ministerial permit, without discretionary review or a hearing, if it meets all the requirements set forth in this section, and after payment of all applicable fees. (c) Water Service. All UDUs shall be served by a public water system (d) Wastewater Service. To avoid health and safety impacts to ground water quality and nitrogen loading, UDUs shall be served by the City sanitary sewer system when located on lots with a gross area less than one (1) acre, except when: (1) The parcel is 0. 5 gross acres or greater and all of the following criteria can be met: i. it can be demonstrated that all properties within a 1/4 mile radius are of sufficient size, considering possible future lot splits and full development potential, to provide a minimum density of at least 0.5 acres per unit within the % mile radius. ii. It shall be demonstrated that a new or expanded onsite wastewater disposal system can accommodate the additional unit while meeting requirements of the City's Local Area Management Plan (LAMP). (2) UDUs that do not meet the above requirements and do not have the ability to connect to City sewer must be served by an on-site wastewater system that includes pre-treatment and shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer and must be approved and constructed in accordance with the City's LAMP standards (e) The maximum amount of paving for parking and access for any principal, primary, accessory, and junior accessory unit in a front setback area is limited to fifty percent (50%) of the front yard setback area. (f) Design. The design of an UDU shall be consistent with any objective design standards listed in this chapter. (g) Short-term vacation rental prohibited. UDUs shall not be rented for terms of 30 days or less. (h) Illegal Unit. The construction, establishment, or occupancy of an Urban Dwelling Unit that has not received a valid construction permit and is contrary to the provisions of this chapter is declared to be unlawful and shall constitute a misdemeanor and a public nuisance. (i) Deed Notification Required. Prior to issuance of a building permit for the UDU, the Individual Property Owner shall submit to the City a deed covenant for recordation with the County Recorder in a form approved by the Community Development Director, which shall run with the land and include at a minimum the following provisions: (1) A prohibition on the sale of the UDU separate from the sale of the principal dwelling unit, unless a subsequent lot split is approved and recorded. (2) A restriction on the size and attributes of the UDU that conforms with this Section (3) A prohibition on using the UDU as a short-term rental. (4) Owner occupancy requirements (5) A statement that the restrictions shall be binding upon any successor owner of the property and that failure to comply with the restrictions shall result in legal action against the owner. 9-10.031 Applicability (a) Location Requirements. An application for development of an Urban Dwelling unit must meet all the following location requirements: (1) The subject parcel must be located in an area zoned for residential single-family use and be within or partially within the Urbanized Area, as designated by the US Census Bureau. (2) The subject parcel must not be located in an area designated in Government Code sections 65913.4(a)(6)(B) through (K). This includes, but is not limited to, certain farmland, wetlands, hazardous waste sites, earthquake fault zones, special flood hazard areas, regulatory floodways, lands identified for conservation, on a site with a historic resource, and within or adjacent to habitats for protected species. (3) Number of UDUs. No more than two primary dwelling units may be developed on any parcel, and Pursuant to the authority provided by section 65852.21(f) of the Government Code, no Urban Dwelling Unit shall be permitted on any lot in a single-family zoning district if: 1) an Urban Lot Split has been approved pursuant to Title 11; and 2) two units (Principal Dwelling Unit, UDU, ADU, or JADU) have already been approved for construction on either resulting lot. iii. The maximum development of any dwelling units is shown below if no Urban Lot Split has been recorded: S139 Maximum Development Options: No Lot Split PR PR [A] 7J]UD7U A pR UDU UDU J PR = Principal Residence UDU = Urban Dwelling Unit A= Accessory Dwelling J = Junior Accessory Dwelling iv. The maximum development of any dwelling units is shown below if an Urban Lot Split has been recorded: SB3 Maximum Development Options: Lot Split x"h pRPR PR UDU � s UDU UDU UDU � A UDU UDU PR = Principal Residence UDU = Urban Dwelling Unit A= Accessory Dwelling J = Junior Accessory Dwelling V. If multiple units exist on a site that were constructed prior to designation as an accessory, junior accessory, or Urban Dwelling Unit, those units must be designated as one of the permitted housing unit types prior to further development of the property. (4) UDUs and Urban Lot Splits shall not be allowed in Planned Developments. (5) No UDUs shall be allowed inconsistent with the California Code of Regulations Section 1273.08 9-5.032 Development Standards. Standards for the development of UDUs shall be governed by this Chapter. Each UDU shall be subject to compliance with the California Building Code and the following standards: (a) Limitation on Demolition and Alterations. A proposed Urban Dwelling Unit must not involve demolition or alteration of: (1) Housing that is subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of moderate, low, or very low income. (2) Housing that is subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity's valid exercise of its police power. (3) Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last three years. (4) More than 25% of the existing exterior structural walls, unless the housing has not been occupied by tenants within the last three years. (b) Limitation on Parcels Withdrawn from Rental Market. A proposed Urban Dwelling Unit must not involve property withdrawn from rental market pursuant to GC §7060 and following, within 15 years before the date that the development proponent submits an application. (c) Development Standards. A proposed Urban Dwelling Unit must comply with the following development standards: (1) Maximum Size. The maximum size of UDUs shall be as follows: The maximum size of a proposed Urban Dwelling Unit must not exceed 1,000 square feet in floor area. Any dwelling unit other than the principal dwelling unit, that was established on the lot prior to the submittal of a complete application for a development pursuant to this chapter may not be altered or expanded to a size greater than 1,000 square -feet, exclusive of any attached garage, storage space, or enclosed porch. No additional unconditioned space can be added if greater than the maximum allowances described in section (8) below. If existing units exceed the maximum size thresholds, no expansion or additions shall occur. (2) Setbacks. Minimum setbacks shall be as follows: i. Primary street frontage: 25 -feet. ii. Secondary street frontage: 12.5 -feet. iii. Corner street frontage: 10 -feet. iv. Access way (flag or easement): 10 -feet. V. Side: 5 -feet unless the unit is 16 -feet or less in height, then the setback shall be reduced to 4 -feet vi. Rear: 10 -feet unless the unit is 16 -feet or less in height, then the setback shall be reduced to 4 -feet vii. No minimum setback is required for the conversion of an existing permitted structure or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing permitted structure. (4) Height. All UDUs shall comply with the height limitations of the underlying zoning district except all units that are closer than 10 -feet to the rear property line or 5 -feet from a side property line shall be a maximum of 16 -feet. (5) Parking. There must be at least one off-street parking space per proposed Urban Dwelling Unit unless specifically exempted by state law. If required parking spaces are eliminated as part of the construction of the UDU, replacement parking shall be required. (6) Open Space. Private open space shall be provided for each residential unit at a ratio of three hundred (300) square feet for each unit that provides 2 or less bedrooms. Each bedroom in excess of two (2) shall require an increase of private open space by fifty (50) square feet. The required front yard setback area shall not be used to satisfy the open space requirement; however, side and rear setback areas, decks, and patios may be utilized. The minimum length and width of the private open space area shall not be less than ten (10) feet. (7) Unconditioned Spaces. A garage or other unconditioned space may be attached to a UDU providing any attached space with a non -R occupancy shall be limited to 250 square -feet, except as follows. i. Any non -R occupancy space may be up to 450 square feet if it is on a different level than the UDU and used for vehicle parking and the entirety of the UDU is located on a different floor with the exception of an entry and stairs. ii. If an existing accessory structure is converted to an ADU and the size of the unconditioned space exceeds the maximum limit, the existing space can remain but may not be expanded. (8) Second Story. Two (2) story units built in accordance with Urban Dwelling Unit standards shall have a second floor that is limited to seventy-five percent (75%) of the gross area of the first floor inclusive of any attached garage. (9) Architectural Features: Use of at least five (5) of the following architectural features on all street facing elevations, and at least three (3) of the following architectural features on all interior and rear yard elevations, as appropriate for the building type and style, is required. i. Dormers; ii. Gable roof form; iii. Recessed entries (at least 3 feet); iv. Covered porch entries with a minimum projection of 6 -feet; V. Cupolas or towers; vi. Pillars or posts; vii. Eaves (minimum 12 -inch projection); viii. Off -sets in building face (minimum 16 inches); ix. Window trim; X. Bay or oriel windows; xi. Balconies; xii. A minimum of 2 decorative patterns on exterior finishes (e.g., scales/shingles, wainscoting, board and batten, and similar features); and xiii. Decorative cornices and roof lines (e.g., for flat roofs). (10) Lot Coverage. Lot coverage of all primary dwelling units shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the net lot area. (11) Storage and Laundry. Each unit shall include the following: Three hundred (300) cubic feet of shelved storage area. (Bedroom and entry/coat closets shall not count toward this requirement); ii. Dedicated space for laundry facilities with hookups. (12) Undergrounding of Utilities. All new utilities shall be installed underground, per Title 8. (13) Driveways. Where the street frontage of a lot is 80 feet or less, all units on the lot shall share the same drive approach and driveway. (d) Frontage Improvements. All required frontage improvements shall be completed prior to, or concurrently with, the building permit for an Urban Dwelling Unit (e) Denial Based Upon Adverse Impacts. The City will deny a proposed Urban Dwelling Unit if the Building Official makes a written finding, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the proposed housing development project would have a specific, adverse impact, as defined and determined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 65589.5, upon public health and safety or the physical environment and for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. (f) Election of development standards. If necessary, objective zoning, subdivision, or design standards will be set aside for the construction of new units in the following order until the site can contain two 1,000 square foot units: (1) Lot Coverage (2) Second Floor Area limitations (3) Storage and Laundry (4) Architectural Features (5) Private open space (6) Setbacks to the degree allowed by State law (7) Shared Driveway requirements 9-5.053 Development Fees (a) Urban Dwelling Units shall be subject to single-family impact fees, and all other development and utility connection fees, adopted and in effect at the time of permit application.