75A - PH ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

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Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2017-04 — Amend Sections of Chapter 41 of the SAMC Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units March 20, 2018 Page 2 state provisions, and introducing new tailored ADU regulations that recognize the diversity of Santa Ana neighborhoods. DISCUSSION Staff presented the recommended changes, found in Exhibit A, to certain sections of Chapter 41 of the SAMC to replace the City's second dwelling unit ordinance to the City Council on November 7, 2017. At said meeting, staff was directed to prepare a study session related to accessory dwelling units. At the December 5, 2017, City Council meeting, staff delivered a presentation related the changes to state law that caused the City's previously existing ordinance to be unenforceable and were the catalyst for the update. In addition, staff discussed the community engagement efforts that led to the development of standards that were included in the draft. After discussing the development standards included in the draft, the City Council directed staff to analyze provisions in the draft ordinance related to open space deficient areas, setbacks and parking, and recommend amendments that would allow ADUs to be constructed citywide while limiting parking impacts and protecting neighborhood character. Subsequently, a second study session was held at the February 20, 2018 City Council meeting, where staff presented recommended changes to the previous draft ordinance. The following provides a brief summary of the key provisions of the recommended amendments: 1. Open Space Deficient Areas - Section 41-194.5(7) The City's obsolete second dwelling unit ordinance identified areas of the city that are "open space deficient." These are areas that are more than one-quarter mile from a pocket park (a park of less than five acres) and more than one-half mile from a neighborhood park (a park of more than five acres). Properties located in an open space deficient area did not qualify to construct an ADU. Recognizing the severity of the housing shortage and that the areas that were previously deemed "open space deficient' would greatly benefit from additional housing units, the proposed ordinance permits the construction of ADUs in all areas of the city provided 1,200 square feet of private open space is maintained on the property. Requiring private open space on lots with ADUs will maintain a more livable environment for residents and assuage the strain on limited parkland resources in the City. 2. Parking for ADUs - Sections 41-194.9, 41-194.10 The proposed ordinance would require one off-street parking space be provided for an ADU, unless the ADU has no bedrooms, in which case no parking space is required. To be compliant with state law (Section 65852.2(d) of the Government Code) parking for ADUs will not be required if they are within one-half mile of public transit (a bus stop with fixed route express bus service that provides transit service at 15 -minute intervals or better during peak commute periods), in an architecturally significant historic district, within one block of a car share vehicle, in an area where on -street parking permits are required but not offered to 75A-2