HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. Receive and File Report Regarding Lot Splits and MansionizationI><I "Ill1L*A
TO: MAYOR ASHTON AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DATE: JANUARY 9, 2018
SUBJECT: LOT SPLITS AND MANSIONIZATION
That the City Council receive and file this report;
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At their November 28, 2017 meeting, the City Council considered and ultimately denied an
extension to a moratorium on lot splits in the City. During the discussion, Mayor Vasquez
requested that staff report back to the City Council on the estimated cost and time needed to
amend the zoning code to address concerns with lot splits and mansionization.
DISCUSSION
To fully address the concerns of the community with splitting large lots and building over -sized
single-family homes, the City needs to analyze its development standards. Additionally,
creation of design guidelines would provide clear direction to residents, property owners, and
developers alike. Amending the Zoning Code, and potentially the General Plan, to update
development standards and create design guidelines is a complex undertaking. The City will
need to balance development rights with the desire to preserve the character of existing
neighborhoods. This type of project would also involve significant research into development
and real estate trends, creation of infographic based handouts, and obtaining substantial public
input. Accordingly, the City would need to hire a professional planning firm that has the
experience and depth of staff to complete the analysis and prepare the necessary amendments
in a timely manner.
To gain a complete understanding of what would be required to accomplish this task, staff
spoke to several consultants. Based on these discussions, it has been determined that a typical
scope of work would be:
Kick-off Meeting and City Tour The consultant team and City staff would meet to
discuss project roles, responsibilities, and objectives. Additionally, the team would
identify issues, challenges, and opportunities. This would also give the consultants an
opportunity to tour the City and experience, first-hand, the recently constructed homes
that have been causing concern for neighbors due to size, massing, design, setbacks,
site location, and other related factors.
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JANUARY 9, 2018
2. Community Meetings — The consultant would prepare and facilitate two (2) community
meetings. The first meeting would focus the discussion on preferences for addressing
concerns with lot splits and mansionization. The second would focus on specific
proposed options and potential code amendments. Translation services would be
available at the meetings.
3. Planning Commission Study Session- The consultant would prepare an options report
for the City to consider. This would be presented to the Planning Commission in a study
session allowing the Planning Commission to provide direction to the consultant and
staff.
4. Prepare Amendments — Consultant would prepare amendments to the code, graphics,
design guidelines, and any necessary General Plan amendments. A public review draft
would be released.
5. CEQA — The consultant would prepare all necessary documentation to comply with the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Itis anticipated that
an Initial Study/ Negative Declaration would suffice.
6. Public Hearings Consultant would assist staff with preparing staff reports and
presentations for the Planning Commission and City Council public hearings. Consultant
would attend all hearings.
It is anticipated that a project of this nature would take nine (9) to twelve (12) months to
complete and have a cost between $75,000 - $85,000._ Should the City Council wish to
proceed, the next step is for staff to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) to receive formal
proposals. Staff would then return to the City Council with the recommended consultant for
approval of a Professional Service Agreement and budget allocation.
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
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