SR-400-005-16 (7)
PCD:SF:AS:LBE
F:\CityPlanning\Share\COUNCIL\STRPT\2005\R1extendinterimord2067.doc
Council Mtg: March 22, 2005 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Introduction and Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Extending the
Provisions of Interim Ordinance Number 2067 (CCS), Modifying the
Development Standards for Parcels in the R-1 Districts Located in the
Sunset Park and North of Wilshire Neighborhoods.
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council adopt an emergency interim ordinance
extending until March 11, 2007 the provisions of Ordinance Number 2067 (CCS) modifying
development standards for construction in the R-1 Zoning Districts located in the Sunset
Park and North of Wilshire neighborhoods. Ordinance Number 2067 (CCS), which was
adopted by the Council on March 11, 2003, is due to expire on April 10, 2005. The
proposed emergency interim ordinance extension is contained in Attachment A.
BACKGROUND
On February 25, 2003, the City Council adopted Interim Ordinance Number 2006 (CCS),
which modified development standards in the Sunset Park and North of Wilshire
neighborhoods related to setbacks, stepbacks, parcel coverage and other standards in
order to ensure that new single-family and accessory structures in these neighborhoods
would be more compatible with the existing neighborhood scale. These standards were
introduced to respond to neighborhood concerns regarding increased demolition of modest
homes in favor of larger single-family dwellings for which the Code had only basic setback,
lot coverage and height requirements. As a result, an increase in the amount of allowable
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new construction could significantly impact and drastically change the character of the
neighborhood. The potential impacts that these developments might have include
decreased light, air, and privacy, so interim provisions that dramatically reduce the
allowable massing and bulk, similar to those prevailing in the area north of Montana
Avenue, were adopted. The City Council extended this ordinance by adopting Interim
Ordinance Number 2067 (CCS) on March 11, 2003.
DISCUSSION
The conditions that led to the adoption of Interim Ordinance Number 2067 (CCS) persist,
and these development standards are still necessary to produce more compatible
development in these single-family neighborhoods. Indeed, rising home prices in the
areas protected by this interim ordinance have increased development pressures, so
concern regarding compatible building remains pertinent. Five Use Permits processed by
the Zoning Administrator to date under the provisions to accommodate sloping lots provide
further evidence of the development pressures in the area and the need to extend interim
provisions that reduce the massing of new structures and provide additional discretion in
cases of sloping lots.
In March 2003 when the interim ordinance was adopted, staff had planned to review the
effectiveness of its provisions and amend the Zoning Ordinance prior to its expiration.
However, in May 2004, the Council authorized the development of a new Land Use
Element and Zoning Ordinance, and asked staff to roll all amendments into the new Zoning
Ordinance. If current development standards are permitted to continue, housing could be
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developed which would severely impact existing residences, would be incompatible with
the existing neighborhoods scale and character, and would be contrary to the
’
neighborhoods historic development pattern. Therefore, it is necessary to extend by
’
emergency the interim ordinance provisions until the comprehensive revised Zoning
Ordinance is completed in approximately a year and a half.
Consequently, the provisions of Ordinance Number 2067 should be extended until March
11, 2007, consistent with the expiration date of the interim ordinance for development
review thresholds. No changes are proposed to the provisions of Ordinance Number 2067
(CCS).
CEQA
The proposed Ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty
that the proposed ordinance does not have the potential to significantly impact the
environment. Indeed, the proposed Ordinance serves to further protect the environment
by ensuring that development projects are designed to be compatible with the surrounding
neighborhood.
PUBLIC NOTICE
A legal advertisement was published in the “California” section of the Los Angeles Times
at least ten consecutive calendar days prior to the hearing. A copy of the notice is
contained in Attachment B.
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BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
The recommendations presented in this report have no budget or financial impacts.
CONCLUSION
In order to continue to ensure more compatible residential development in the Sunset Park
and North of Wilshire single-family neighborhoods, the recommended term of the
extension is until March 11, 2007. This length of extension is necessary in order to fold
permanent development standards into the revised Zoning Ordinance being produced
through the Shape the Future 2025 process.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the attached emergency interim ordinance
extending the provisions of the Interim Ordinance Number 2067 until March 11, 2007.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director
Amanda Schachter, Planning Manager
Elizabeth Bar-El, AICP, Associate Planner
Planning and Community Development Department
(See Adopted Ordinance
Attachment: A: Proposed Emergency Interim Ordinance
No. 2156 (CCS)
).
B. Public Notice
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NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PROPOSED EMERGENCY INTERIM ORDINANCE EXTENDING INTERIM
ORDINANCE 2067, MODIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR
PARCELS IN THE R-1 DISTRICTS LOCATED IN THE SUNSET PARK AND
NORTH OF WILSHIRE NEIGHBORHOODS.
A public hearing will be held by the City Council to consider an emergency interim
ordinance to extend the provisions of Ordinance 2067 (CCS) modifying the development
standards for parcels in the R-1 Districts located in the Sunset Park and North of Wilshire
neighborhoods. The proposed extension will provide time to prepare permanent
development standards.
DATE/TIME: TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2005 AT 6:45 p.m.
LOCATION: City Council Chambers, Second Floor, Santa Monica City Hall
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, California
HOW TO COMMENT
The City of Santa Monica encourages public comment. You may comment at the City
Council public hearing, or by writing a letter. Written information will be given to the City
Council at the meeting.
Address your letters to: City Clerk
1685 Main Street, Room 102
Santa Monica, CA 90401
MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about this interim ordinance extension, please contact
Elizabeth Bar-El, AICP, at (310) 458-8341, or by e-mail at liz.bar-el@smgov.net. The
Zoning Ordinance is available at the Planning Counter during business hours and on the
City’s web site at www.santa-monica.org.
The meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. For disability-related accommodations,
please contact Carmen Gutierrez at (310) 458-8341 or (310) 458-8696 TTY at least 72
hours in advance. All written materials are available in alternate format upon request.
Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Lines numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 serve City Hall.
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Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65009(b), if this matter is subsequently
challenged in Court, the challenge may be limited to only those issues raised at the public
hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa
Monica at, or prior to, the public hearing.
ESPAÑOL
Esto es una noticia de una audiencia pública para revisar applicaciónes proponiendo
desarrollo en Santa Monica. Si deseas más información, favor de llamar a Carmen
Gutierrez en la División de Planificación al número (310) 458-8341.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
AMANDA SCHACHTER
Planning Manager
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