SR-400-002 (30)
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CA RLK:SIS:lcbtt8-19
Councl1 Mtg: 2-14-78
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Santa rloDlca, Callfornla
January 31, 1978
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TO:
Mayor and Clty Councll
fEB 2 8 '973
F ROl>'1:
Cl ty Attorney
SUBJECT:
Ord~nance SubJectlng Two-Story Accessory
BU11dlngs in the R-1 Dlstrlct to Use
Permlt Procedures
Introductlon
ThlS report tranSffilts the attached ordlnance
for 1ntroductlon and flrst readlng, and publlC hearlng.
Background
At lts meetlng of January 24, 1978, the Clty
Councl1 recelved a reconmendatlon from the Santa Monlca
Plannlng CommlSSlon with regard to the above subJect. The
attached ordlnance ernbodles that recomrnendatlon ln ordlnance
form. The attached ordlnance would requlre a property
owner to seek and be granted a Use Perrnlt prlor to
developlng two-story accessory structures lD the R-l
dlstrlct. By uti11z1ng the Use Perrnlt procedure, the
development of such two-story accessory structures would
become contlngent upon necessary ffiltlgatlon measures,
ln each case, to reduce or ellffilnate adverse effects
upon nelghborlng property. A copy of the preV1QUS staff
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FEB 2 8 1978
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TO: Mayor and Clty Councll
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January 11, 1978
yards and rear portlons of the house are not generally subject
to direct vlsibll1ty even where two-story homes are involved.
The construction of a second story on an accessory building
situated further towards the rear of the lot with wlndows, stalr-
ways and even balconles only 4' from a lot line wlll often
create a greater sense of lntruslon in adJacent properties by
reason of the fact that Vlews from such structures are directed
towards the rear portions of neighborlng homes rather than in
the dlrection of back property Ilnes. In the past year a number
of complalnts have been conveyed to the staff and Plannlng Com-
ffilss10n regarding second-story accessory bUlldings.
The Commlssion recommends that two-story accessory structures
ln the Rl Dlstrict be permltted only by Use Permlt which would
have the effect of permlttlng nelghbors to have knowledge of
and react to a planned 2nd-story accessory structure and allow
mltigatlon measures to reduce or eliminate any adverse effects,
such as w1ndow placements, door requirements, height and roof
controls to assure that the neighbor's enJoyment of his property
will not be impaired. The proposed amendment does not eliminate
second-story accessory buildlngs but does require that their irn-
pact on a neighborhood be evaluated before construction is permltted.
Alternatlves
Under Section 9149 of the 11unic1pal Code, the Clty C~uncil may
adopt all or any part of any change or amendment recommended by
the Plannlng Commlss10n and the Council has the alternatives
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TO: Mayor and Clty Council
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January 11, 1978
of favorably considerlng the Commisslon's suggestion by direct-
lng the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance to
accompllsh th~s or reject the Planning Comm~ssion's recommendation
and leave the ordlnance as presently wr~tten.
The pros In favor of accepting the Planning Comrnisslon's recom-
mendations lnclude the addltion of better control on the location
and construction of 2-story accessory buildlngs w~thout totally
ellminatlng such structures whl1e at the same time gainlng in-
creased assurance that any adverse effect on neighbors will be
substantially reduced or eliminated. The cons lnclude increased
procedures and costs for home owners and that admlnlstration may
not be equitable in every case because of personal confllcts or
varYlng sensltivity on the part of different situatlons. Fee
for a varlance application 15 $125.00.
Recommendation
In view of an apparent increased lnterest in second-story acces-
sory constructlon and the need to maintain the Quallty of Llfe in
the Rl Dlstrict, lt lS respectfully recommended that the Clty
Council accept the recommendations of the Plannlng Commission by
dlrectlng the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance
and return It for consideration ln the usual course.
Prepared by: James Lunsford
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