8B Consent 2007 0205 v2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MJNUTI<~S Page:\ City of Sa!) Lr:andro City Council_and San LcaneJro Redevclopnl~nt Agency Joint Meeting-:::JallUllry 16, 200?_. Vice Mayor Grant expressed coneem regarding reducing the amount of public review for condominium conversions, noting that a large number of such conversions could potentially change the character of a neighborhood and create impacts on infrastructure and services. She stated that she would not want to suppol1 the change. Vice Mayor Grant asked if the proposed amendment regarding the FAR would apply to all zoning districts. Ms. Pollart conlJll11Cd that it would apply citywide. Mayor Santos commented that the Zoning Code amendment was requested by the BZA due to the inundation of applications [or condo conversions. I-Ie noted that he has been contacted by a number of individuals in the Mul1()rd Gardens area that are interested in building condominiums on their propeliies. Mayor Santos commented that he believed the amendment would result in greater oversight due to changes to the process. Council member Starosciak conclmed with Vice Mayor Grant regarding the issue of community input on condo conversions. She pointed out that the General Plan focuses on neighborhood character, and she expressed concern that the case of eondominiurn conversions is drastically changing the character of Mulford Gardens. Councilmember Starosciak cornmented that she feels this trend conflicts with the General Plan and that the increased density would strain the city's infrastructure. She asked that the Council remove Section 5-2424 for further consideration. Councilmember Starosciak commented that she [eels there is a windfall of applications because they are lucrative, and the easier the process is the more applications the City will receive. She suggested looking into increasing developer fees and impact fees in order to recoup the costs of the increased densi ly resulti ng from these conversions. Councilmember Stephens asked if the conversion from rental units to condominiums would actually result in greater density. Community Development Director Hanson Hom indicated that a condo conversion docs not grant any greater density than the current zoning allows; however, it could be an incentive for a person to undel1ake a project. Mr. Ham noted that all projects go through site plan review, and it is during this review that the change in the character o[ the neighborhood would be addressed. He indicated that administrative review docs not eliminate public input, and there are noticing requirements and a hearing process. Mr. 110m noted that if a project is deemed to be controversial, it would be referred to the BZA. The BZA recognized that condo conversions for four or Cewer units everywhere in the City except the RO District arc already handled administratively, and the amendment would allow condo conversions in the RO to be handled in a manner consistent with the rest of the city. Mr. 110m indicated that condo conversions arc like any other residential project and arc subject to development fees and other requirements. He pointed out that while the General Plan supp0l1s maintaining the existing zoning and character o[ the area, many parcels ;n the RO District are allowed to have up to three dwelling units. Mr. Hom suggested that the Council may want to consider down-zoning in order to preserve the current character of the area.