REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2048 to establish objective subdivision, zoning, and design standards for SB 9 residential projects by amending Title 18 (Zoning) to create Chapter 18.13 (Two Unit Dwelling Residential Development and Urban Lot Splits)
Report
BACKGROUND
At the July 5, 2022 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2048 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2048 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on August 10, 2022, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
In 2021, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), which requires ministerial review and approval of two dwelling units on most single family (R1) lots, and authorizes ministerial lot splits of most R1 lots.
Proposed Ordinance No. 2048 would establish objective subdivision, zoning, and design standards for SB 9 residential projects by adding a new Chapter 18.13 (Two Unit Dwelling Residential Development) to Title 18 (Zoning). The new Chapter would regulate the following topics: (1) maximum unit size (1000 square feet); (2) parking space requirements (one space for each house that is more than 1/2 mile from transit, and 0 spaces for homes closer to transit); (3) minimum front yard landscaping (50%); (4) maximum height (1 story in the rear 15 feet of a parcel; 1.5 stories for the rest of the parcel); and (5) preservation of solar access to photovoltaic panels.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65852.21 (j) and 66411.7 (n), a local agency may adopt an ordinance to implement SB 9 and that ordinance shall not be considered a project under CEQA (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than administrative staff time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Community ...
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