HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/14/2018 Item 1, Rowley
June 14, 2018
Subject: Final Reviews of the Proposed Zoning Regulations Update - Day 2
Dear Chairman Fowler and Commission Members,
Tier l, ll and lll
Discussion of the three tiers presents a conundrum. On one hand a few of the items seem to
warrant a higher level of review. On the other hand the higher the level of review, the more it
costs residents to appeal an unfavorable decision.
Reference High Occupancy, I learned yesterday shortly after submitting my initial letter that High
Occupancy is in fact within Tier ll. Upon reflection, and being mindful of the cost, I now think High
Occupancy should be in Tier l along with other "low level" use permits like Home Occupations.
High Occupancy usage, like Home Occupations, is found solely in residential neighborhoods. Both
have the capability to create adverse conditions in the neighborhood. I see no difference.
Recommend that requests for a High Occupancy permit be moved from Tier ll to Tier l.
Public Participation
Throughout the document it appears that the public is being removed from the public process in
the name of streamlining. The updated Land Use Element still requires early and meaningful
public notice in order to stimulate and encourage public participation (para 12.8, Public Planning)
and presumably result in informed active participants. The process used to update Ordinance
1130 was done in the spirit of public participation/resident engagement. Hopefully, nothing less
will occur when the High Occupancy ordinance is updated. And, hopefully, this degree of public
engagement for those directly affected by a decision or development will continue to occur.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's)
Allowing up to five (5) years for a relative who inherited a formerly owner-occupied home with
an ADU (and does not intend to live there) to sell that house to someone who will be an owner-
occupier seems like a long time.
Recommend this be changed to read one (1) year with a possible one (1) year extension for
unusual circumstances.
Story Poles
Per packet page 67, staff identified several issues that required council direction. I propose one
more be added -- story poles. The need for story poles for proposed 4-story structures (3-story in
areas of primarily 1-story structures) was identified in at least two of the group interviews. In
addition, the structure at 22 Chorro aptly demonstrates the need for using story poles.
Recommend you add the requirement for story poles in an appropriate place in this update.
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Definitions
Most definitions are included in Article 9; however, some are not. A list of definitions best serves
the general public if they are all included in one location. It is always better to have a definition
appear twice in a document than to have some definitions in one place and some in another - this
can make a user wonder if there are other definitions in other locations they may have missed.
Recommend ALL definitions be included in Article 9, even if they are also located elsewhere in the
document.
Thank you for your time and your consideration of these comments and recommendations.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
SLO Resident
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