HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/12/2025 Item 4a, Veium
FW: Agenda Correspondence for 2/12 PC Meeting
From: Eric Veium <
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2025 8:10 AM
To: Corey, Tyler <tcorey@slocity.org>; Estrada, Ethan <EJEstrad@slocity.org>
Cc: Tway, Timothea (Timmi) <TTway@slocity.org>; Boswell, Mike <MBoswell@slocity.org>
Subject: PC: 4a Zoning Code Regulation Updates
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Planning staff,
I'm preparing comments to submit to Wednesday's planning commission meeting and I want to elevate
two issues to your attention. I appreciate your efforts to update the zoning regulations to reflect state law
and address zoning issues that are unnecessary barriers to building housing.
Streamlining ADU conversions - Question
The language below is recommended to be added to allow single-step addition to ADU conversions and
appears to address the currently burdensome two-step process. However, the last sentence in the
proposed language I do understand. Section 66323 is the code section that defines which types of
ADU/JADUs are allowable on a property. This exclusion appears to remove the ability to use section
66323 as a pathway for project development, which is exactly the approach that I am taking while
encountering the two-step barrier. Before I opine regarding the possible intent/impacts, will you
please clarify what is intended by this language and if it removes the ability to build an addition to
ADU conversion when there is an existing detached ADU on the property?
Building permit applications involving the construction of new space or the alteration of existing space
within an existing residential structure may be designed in such a manner as to facilitate the conversion
to an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit. Said new construction or alterations to
the existing structure(s) shall be consistent with the City’s objective design standards and any applicable
zoning regulations. An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit created through
such a building permit application cannot be combined with the provisions of California
Government Code Section 66323.
No Director's Action for Zoning Code Compliant Additions/ADUs
Additionally, I want to make you aware that I am requesting that an additional update be adopted which
would allow for Zoning code compliant ADUs to be added to existing non-conforming structures without
the requirement for a Director's Action. My particular project has a legal, non-conforming structure and I
am proposing an addition to ADU conversion. The proposed addition/ADU is completely zoning code
compliant but because the original structure doesn't meet the second floor setback requirements, I am
required to submit the project for Director's action with costs an additional $2000+ and takes additional
time. Other housing friendly jurisdictions such as Beverly Hills allow zoning code compliant
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additions/ADUs to legally non-conforming structures without restriction and without the cost and delay
of a SLO City's current regulations requiring Director's Action.
Here is SLO City's current regulations:
Non Conforming Buildings - under 'Limits to Reconstruction-exceptions'?
Per section 17.92.020(F) of the zoning regulations, “additions to nonconforming structures that further
the intent of this chapter may be permitted through a director’s action, subject to a finding of
consistency with the intent of this chapter as follows:
1. Additions conform to current building codes, zoning regulations, and design guidelines, where the
addition and associated modifications do not result in demolition of the existing structure, as defined in
Section 17.158.012 (D Definitions).
2. The director may allow certain setbacks to be reduced to zero in some instances for minor additions to
existing legal nonconforming structures (see Section 17.70.170(D)(2)(d)). (Ord. 1705 § 54, 2021; Ord.
1657 § 20, 2019; Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)”
Here is a reference to Beverly Hills zoning code and an excerpt of the language:
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/beverlyhillsca/latest/beverlyhills_ca/0-0-0-19010
10-3-4100 Non-Conforming Buildings A(2)
A. Single-Family Residential Developments: Except as otherwise provided by applicable local, state
or federal law, any alteration to a nonconforming building in a single-family development shall
conform to the following requirements:
2. Additions: Nothing in this section shall restrict the construction of an addition to a legally
nonconforming building provided that such addition complies with the requirements of this chapter.
Please update the zoning code to allow zoning code compliant additions/ADUs on legally non-
conforming structures.
Thank you.
Eric Veium
805-835-3669
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