Minutes 2007 0116 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES Page 3 City of SJn LCJndro City_ C<~l!!_cil amI San Leandro Redevel~~I?mcnt ^gcncy Joint Mectins;-.Julluary 16, 2007 Vice Mayor Grant expressed concem regarding reducing the amount of public review lor condominium conversions, noting that a large number of such conversions could potentially change the character or a neighborhood and create impacts on inFrastructure and services. She stated that she would not want to support the change. Vice Mayor Grant asked if the proposed arnendment regarding the FAR would apply to all zoning districts. Ms. Pollart con1inned that it would apply citywide. Mayor Santos commented that the Zoning Code amendment was requested by the BZA due to the inundation of applications for condo conversions. He noted that he has been contacted by a nurnber of individuals in the Mulford Gardens area that are interested in building condominiums on their properties. Mayor Santos commented that he believed the amendment would result in greater oversight due to changes to the process. Councilmember Starosciak conclllTed 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 ease of condominium conversions is drastically changing the character of MuI10rd Gardens. Councilmember Starosciak commented 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. Councilmemher Starosciak commented that she feels there is a windlall 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 ofthc increased density resulting from these conversions. Councilmember Stephens asked i r the conversion from rental units to condominiums would actually result in greater density. Community Development Director Tlanson Hom indicated that a condo conversion does not grant any greater density than the current zoning allows; however, it could he an inccntive for a person to undertake a project. Mr. Hom noted that all projects go through site plan review, and it is during this review that the change in the character or the neighborhood would he addressed. I Ie indicated that administrative review does not eliminate public input, and there are noticing requirements and a healing process. Mr. Horn 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 fewer units everywhere in the City except thc RO District are already handled administratively, and the amcndment would allow condo convcrsions in the RO to be handled in a manner consistent with the rest of the city. Mr. Hom indicated that condo conversions are like any other residential project and are subject to development fees and other requirements. He pointed out that while the General Plan supports rnaintaining the eXlstrng zoning and character or the area, many parcels in the RO District arc 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.