sr-091179-8cSanta D4onica, California, August 15, 1979
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff AUG 2 8 1979
SUBJECT: Extension of Poratorium on Condominium Conversions
Introduction SEP I 1 1979
This report recommends that the current moratorium on condominium
conversions be extended an additional 180 days.
Background
On t4ay 8, 1979 the City Council imposed an 120 day moratorium
on condominium conversion activities pending review and possible
revision of condominium conversion standards. P7hile some evalu-
ation has been commenced, the 120 days has proven insufficient
especially as revision of the Housing Element is currently being
undertaken and the subject of condominium conversions will be a
major component of this document. The 120 day period is due to
expire on September 5th unless extended by the Council. A number
of valid reasons for an extension exists including:
1. Review and revision of condominium conversion
criteria are being considered by the Planning Com-
mission in conjunction with revision and updating
of the City's Housing Element_during the next few months.
2. Any new conversion application would require evalua-
tion and approval by the Rent Control Board which is
presently over-burdened with organizational, administra-
tive and procedural responsibilities involving registration
and processing of existing applications.
3. A large reserve of incomplete and unmarketed convey- SEP 1 1 1979
sions already exist in various stages of process, a large
number of which may require resolution of questions of
vested rights. Additional considerations would un-
necessarily aggravate the existing situation.
AUG 2 s ~s7s
Mayor and City Council
- 2 - August 15, 1979
4. In light of required findings and the current
tight rental housing market, the chances of approval
are so remote that it is unreasonable to subject tenants,
Commissioners, Council members, staff and public to un-
necessary effort, expenses and emotional stress involved
in an application that has virtually no possibility of
approval.
Alternatives
The two alternatives available are to extend the moratorium
or reactivate possible conversion applications by allowing the
moratorium to lapse.
Recommendation
It is respectfully recommended that the City Council extend
the moratorium on condominium conversions an additional 180
days by urgency ordinance.
Prepared by: James Lunsford
JL:bt