Report Prepared by: Kim Espinosa, Planning Manager, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Policy Direction Regarding Parking and Owner Occupancy Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council will be asked to provide further policy direction regarding parking and occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADU's) in preparation for amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to meet recent State law changes.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council should provide policy direction to staff regarding parking and owner occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
Not applicable.
AUTHORITY
SB 1069 and AB 2299 provided changes to State law regarding accessory dwelling units. Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Section 20.42 of the Zoning Ordinance (Attachment 1) addresses "second units" (the prior term used for accessory dwelling units).
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
This item relates to both "Housing" and "Infill Development" referenced in the FY 2018-19 Council Goals and Priorities.
DISCUSSION
Background
On September 17, 2018, the City Council directed staff to review the City's Zoning Ordinance to determine what changes were needed in order to comply with the new State laws regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's), and to consider alternative approaches to facilitate the development of ADU's in the City of Merced. On November 19, 2018, the City Council reviewed the proposed changes as outlined below and possible new Housing Division programs that might be implemented to encourage the development of ADU's. The City Council, by unanimous vote, directed staff to prepare the changes to the Ordinance for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council at public hearings in the early months of 2019, but prior to presenting the draft Ordinance, return to the City Council in late January 2019 for further policy direction regarding parking and the owner occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units....
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