HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/1/2025 Item 7e, Veium
Eric Veium <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Tway, Timothea (Timmi)
Subject:ITEM 7E - Zoning Regulations Update
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Honorable Mayor and Council,
NOTE: I had hoped to send this message for your initial adoption of the proposed zoning regulations
updates, but unfortunately missed that it was on your agenda March 4th so I'm sending it as part of the
2nd reading of the ordinance. I plan to make a public comment this evening on this item on the consent
agenda. If it's appropriate to pull the item to further discuss the Asks below, please do.
ASK: Don't Require Director's Action for ADU Additions to Legally Non-Conforming Structures.
I am requesting that an additional update be adopted (likely on a future agenda) which would allow for
Zoning code compliant ADUs to be added (as additions) to existing legal non-conforming structures
without the requirement for a Director's Action.
FURTHER ASK: Waive parking, density, and other (already waived for other ADUs) requirements for
ADU Additions to Legally Non-conforming Structures.
Further, to increase the potential positive impact of this housing-friendly zoning regulation update, I am
requesting that you waive parking, density, and other zoning regulations for ADU additions that use
this new 1-step process to add ASUs to legally non-conforming structures with the goal to be consistent
with the same rules for building detached ADUs to residential properties (i.e. waive parking, density
checks, etc.)
MY EXPERIENCE
My particular project has a legal, non-conforming structure and I am proposing an addition to ADU
conversion using the new 1-step process being adopted in this zoning regulations update. In my case,
the proposed addition/ADU is completely zoning code compliant but because the original structure i'm
adding to doesn't meet the second floor setback requirements, I was required to submit the project
for Director's action which costs an additional $2000 in fees + architect time, delays my project (2+
months), and requires staff time and resources.
While I chose to move forward with the Director's action process in order to reduce my project delay, I'm
hopeful that these reasonable changes can be made in another near-term zoning regulations update to
help the community build more affordable ADUs that help do its part to address our housing crisis.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS
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Other housing friendly jurisdictions such as Beverly Hills allow zoning code compliant additions/ADUs to
legally non-conforming structures without restriction and without the cost and delay of SLO City's
current regulations requiring Director's Action.
Here is SLO City's current regulations:
Non Conforming Buildings - which is 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.
RESTATEMENT OF ASKS
Please update the zoning code to allow additions/ADUs on legally non-conforming structures
without requiring Director's Actions AND waive parking, density checks, and other zoning
compliance regulations to further enable this type of ADU construction.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of service in advancing these requests.
Thank you.
Eric Veium
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