Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER SUBMITTING A LETTER OF OPPOSITION TO SB 9 (INCREASED DENSITY IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES) (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
Senate Bill 9 (Atkins) mandates ministerial approval for proposed housing developments that would lead to up to six, potentially more, dwelling units on lots where currently only one dwelling unit exists and it would require cities to permit the development of a duplex or subdivision of a parcel into two equal parcels (minimum lot size of 1,200 square feet). Staff has prepared a Draft Letter of Opposition for City Council's consideration and approval.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council submit a Letter of Opposition to SB (Exhibit No. 1).
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE other action deemed appropriate, subject to compliance with applicable law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) was introduced into legislation on December 7, 2020 by Senate President Pro Tem, Tony Atkins. SB 9 is very similar to SB 1120 that did not pass last year because the bill did not reach the Senate floor on time for a final consideration.
SB 9 affects single-family parcels in two ways that would potentially lead to up to six dwelling units (two single-family homes, two Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and two Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) on lots where currently only one dwelling unit exists. First, the proposed legislation would allow existing single-family homes to be converted into duplexes. Second, SB 9 would allow for an "urban lot split" that requires ministerial approval to subdivide an existing parcel to create two new parcels of equal size (minimum lot size of 1,200 square feet). SB 9 does not require that any of the units created be affordable.
SB 9 includes the following eligibility criteria for split lots/subdivision:
* The parcel or development must be located in a single-family residential zone.
* The parcel cann...
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