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l\UNUTES Page 8 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-December 20, 2004 Councihnember Stephens wished everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays. He stated that he is sensitive to the comments of the public speakers regarding the Indian casino and hoped that the Council could act swiftly and consider a resolution in January. Councilmember Santos cOlnmented on the trelnendous opposltlon to the casino proposal heard at the Town Hall Meeting in Almneda which was attended by several members of the Council. He stated that he concurred with Councihnember Stephens regarding consideration of a resolution taking a position on the matter. He asked that the Council be given periodic updates on the status of the n1atter. Councihnen1ber Santos commented that he has received a number of phone calls regarding hon1eowners that have cemented over their front yards for use as parking. He provided a photo of a residence on Ottawa at Hemlock, and asked that the Council consider amending the Community Preservation Ordinance to address the issue. A Council discussion ensued regarding whether the local laws prohibit homeowners from celnenting over 50% or more of their front yards for use as parking. City Manager J ermanis indicated that there is no prohibition against cementing over front yards, but there is a prohibition against parking cars in front yards. Mr. Horn stated that the Zoning Code addresses parking in the front yard but does not prohibit paving over 500/0 of a front yard. He noted that there is a prohibition against paving in order to park a car within the required 20- foot front yard setback in a single family district, but a hon1eowner can pave over the front yard of a residence as long as it is not used for parking. Councilmember Glaze and Vice Mayor Badger both expressed their understanding that it was unlawful to pave more than 500/0 of a front yard. Mr. Horn indicated that the Zoning Code section which addresses this subj ect has not changed in at least the last ten years. He noted that there lnay have been past discussion regarding limiting the amount of front yard paving, but San Leandro never enacted such a measure. Mr. Horn noted that the issue is recommended in the General Plan as something to consider. Mr. J ermanis clarified that Community Relations Representative Kathy Ornelas receives a nmnber of complaints from residents regarding neighbors that pave over their front yards. He noted that the Police Department can only cite the resident if vehicles are parked in the front yard. Mr. J ermanis stated that if the Council so chooses, he will ask staff to review the Zoning Ordinance and provide a report and recommendation to the Council. There was consensus of the Council to have the City Manager proceed with a review of this matter and to provide a report and recommendation to the Council. As a follow up to the jointly sponsored Town Hall Meeting with the City of Alameda on the proposed Indian casino, Mr. J ermanis suggested scheduling a Council discussion on the n1atter at the City Council meeting on January 3, 2005. At the meeting, the Council could provide input to incorporate in the resolution, and the resolution could be presented for adoption at the Ineeting on January 18. The resolution and all COlnments will be subn1itted to the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs on January 21. It was the consensus of the Council to schedule the discussion on the Indian casino for January 3, 2005.