SR-04-08-1980-10A/®A
APR ~ 998®
Santa Monica, California, March 19, 1980
T0: The Mayor and City Council
FROM: Planning Commission
SUBJECT: Planning Commission's recommendations for new condo-
minium conversion requirements.
Introduction
This report transmits the Planning Commission's recommendations
for a new condominium conversion ordinance.
Background
In response to the City Council's request, the Planning Com-
mission has drafted a revised condominium conversion ordinance
incorporating a number of changes relating to consideration
and approval of condominium conversions. The revised ordinance
would consist of the deletion of Sections 9122 and 9123 of the
Zoning Ordinance and the substitution of a completely new Section
9122 portions of which would also apply to new condominium pro-
cedures as well. While the Commission will be submitting
additional requirements for new condominiums very shortly, some of
the provisions in Section 9122 apply to both new projects and
conversions and should be amended by the earlier action.
Major modifications proposed include the following:
1. Clarifies Section-9122 to apply to residential
condominiums, community apartments, coopera ive apartments
and the like. The Planning Commission has directed the
staff to prepare a special condominium ordinance cover-
ing commercial and industrial uses.
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APR ~ 9ss~
Mayor and City Council' - 2 - March 19, 1980
2. Requires issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for
condominiums in addition to a Tentative Tract Map.
This would replace the present requirement for a condo-
minium permit. A Conditional Use Permit is considered
a far stronger requirement than the somewhat vague and
undefined condominium permit. (9122B)
3. Establishes the parking requirement for new condo-
miniums as two spaces per unit without tandem parking.
The ordinance presently permits tandem parking but the
Planning Commission as a matter of practice has not per-
mitted tandem parking for several years. (9122D1)
4. Requires Rent Control Board approval for conversions.
(9122E1)
5. Requires notice to-tenants of an intent to_convert
together with notification of tenants' rights under
State and local laws. (9122E2)
6. Requires subdivider to submit a plan indicating the
type and amount of tenant relocation assistance to be
provided. (9122E3)
7. Requires at least one year's written notice to all tenants.
(9122E12)
8. Prohibits condominium conversions uhl:ess the Planning Com-
mission finds a 5o vacancy factor, a new rental unit
is provided for each converted unit or 80% of residents will
buy and there is no involuntary displacement.
9. Provides_exemption.for aovernmental'or limited equity
cooperatives for low and moderate income persons is provided.
(91.Z2F)
10. L:iakes a number of additions, clarifications or changes in
wording to improve the intent of the ordinance,
Under the revised ordinance, no condominium conversion could
take place without approval of the Rent Control Board and the
Planning Commission"s finding that the vacancy factor was in
excess of 5% or an equal number of new rental units were being
added to the housing stock or all of the present tenants were
either willing to buy a unit or be relocated.
Mayor and City Council - 3 - March 19, 1980
Alternatives
The City Council may act favorably upon any recommendation
by the Planning Commission by directing the City Attorney
to prepare an ordinance incorporating the changes proposed
or may reject the Planning Commission's recommendations by
acting to-table them or to return them-to the Commission for
additional consideration.
Recommendation
It is respectfully recommended that the City Council act
favorably upon the Planning Commission's recommendations by
directing the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance
to be returned for further Council action.
Prepared by: James Lunsford
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