HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-2017 PC Correspondence - Item 1 (Rowley)
August 23, 2017
SUBJECT: Zoning Regulations Update – Land Use Table 9 and Land Use Definitions
Chairman Stevenson and Members of the Planning Commission,
Residents for Quality Neighborhoods appreciates the opportunity to commen t on this portion of
the Zoning Regulations update. It is obvious that the staff and the consultants have put a lot of
work into this, but we do have some suggestions and concerns.
The first thing we noticed were the changes to Table 9, Uses Allowed by Zone, and Chapter
17.100, Definitions. This was, in the vast majority of cases, done without explanation. It would
seem more logical and systematic to thoroughly discuss potential changes, the reasons for and
the intent of said changes, before altering the table and the definitions. We thought tables were
easy references to policies that were first spelled out elsewhere in the document – yet in this
case it appears policies will be changed by the table and accompanying definitions.
1. Words and their definitions are important.
a. Some of the new terms recommended seem less clear than the terms currently used.
- Organizational Housing versus Convents and Monasteries. Organizational housing is a
term that could apply to a fraternity/sorority “satellite” house (which is not allowed) or a
student club, it allows seven or more residents without a High Occupancy Use Permit and, as
defined, includes student dormitories. Do we really want to allow this?
- Instructional Services versus Studio - Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc. Instructional
services sounds more like tutoring or classroom instruction than classes in the arts.
- Handicraft Manufacturing versus Production and Sales (manufacturing). Handicraf t
manufacturing is far more limiting. Recommend Manufacturing, Incidental Sales be used
instead. See item 4, below.
b. Some of the new terms are less understandable to a layman than the words they replace.
- Single-unit dwellings, detached versus Single-family dwelling. In this city a single-unit
dwelling, detached could be a converted garage, but one would never confuse such housing with
a single-family dwelling.
- Multi-unit residential versus Multi-family dwellings.
- A more descriptive term for Corner Commercial could be Neighborhood Commercial.
2. Other observations.
a. Park and Recreation Facilities (page B-5). In the draft this item is shown as an allowed use
in the Agricultural and the Conservation/Open Space Zones. We are not positive that these uses
are disallowed in the AG zone; however, a park and/or recreation facility in C/OS is not
consistent with the General Plan.
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b. In the draft definitions a Corner Commercial Store is shown as being allowed in three of
the four residential zones and in the Neighborhood Commercial Zone. A Convenience Store,
however, is not allowed in any of the residential zones but it is allowed in the Neighborhood
Commercial Zone. Since most of the C-N properties are adjacent to R-1 or R-2 is this an error?
Should it be in C-C instead?
c. In the current Zoning Regulations, Airport and Heliport were separated; they have been
combined in the draft. As a result the heliport is no longer allowed in the Office Zone, but it is
now allowed in the Business Park. We do not know if this was intentional or the result of
combining the two aircraft.
d. Suggest the full description “Recreational vehicle (RV) park accessory to hotel/motel” be
retained. RV Park is a recognized term that many people would not look up in the definitions. It
indicates the availability of land on which to park these vehicles and vacation, like in the State
Park in Morro Bay. Telling people twice, on the table and in the definitions, that this is only
accessory to hotels/motels does not seem unnecessarily redundant.
3. Items were omitted.
Discussion Item #1 recommends that the High Occupancy Residential Use ordinance be re-
evaluated to be consistent with state law and the Fair Housing Act. Yet before this item has
been studied and brought back for discussion and evaluation, High occupancy residential use
was deleted from Table 9 (page B-6) and the definitions. This seems a bit premature.
4. Discussion Item #4.
Paragraph 17.22.010, Production and Sales, refers to the Manufacturing, incidental sales of a
craftsman-type production of whatever product is made. This is much broader than the
suggested Handicraft Manufacturing. It is not limited to those who use han d tools or small
mechanical equipment. It allows furniture manufacturers to make and sell a custom cabinet,
those who do light welding to make and sell a custom gate, machine shop workers to make and
sell pipe with custom threads, etc. The capability to make and sell the occasional custom piece
is good for the business owner and for the individual who wants/needs a one -of-a-kind piece.
Manufacturing, Incidental Sales is descriptive and we suggest it be used as this category.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide our comments for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
Chairperson, RQN
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