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Even as city Planning Department officials are under fire for seeking huge increases in planning appeals feels, they are pushing forward on a "granny flat" measure that would allow conversion of single-family homes into apartments. The policy for Accessory Dwelling Units, as they are bureacratically being called, has been in the works for months and public hearings have even been held with little public notice. It has come to light in an email to constituents from Sylvia Lacy, senior deputy in Councilman Herb Wesson's 10th District Field Office.
"Hello to all, the attached notices are concerning the accessory dwelling nit outreach in preparation for the City of Los Angeles to draft an rdinance to comply with SB 1866 (sic AB 1866). Questions should go to Gabriela uárez at
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or (213) 978-1337. If you have any comments or concerns please send them to me. If your neighborhood or Neighborhood Council has taken a position, please let me know. Thanks Sylvia Lacy"
Here are the attachments (FAQs.pdf), (WorkshopNotice.pdf), (INTERIM DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.pdf).
The FAQ from the Planning Department explained clearly what an accessory dwelling unit is:
Q:. What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?
A: An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), also referred to as a granny flat, secondary dwelling unit, cottage housing opportunity {ECH0), or other-daughter residence, is an apartment that can be located within the walls of an existing or newly constructed single-family home or can be an add-on to an existing home.It can also be a freestanding structure on the same lot as the principal dwelling or the conversion of a garage or a barn.
The measure would apply in every neighborhood except those "in a Hillside area, Equinekeeping District, along a Scenic Highway designated in the General Plan, or where the width of the adjacent street is substandard," according to the Interim Guidelines.
The state legislation that makes this possible was AB 1866 , a density bonus/affordable housing measure that took effect July 1 2003 with bipartisan support and the support of then Assemblymen Paul Koretz and Herb Wesson and then Sen. Richard Alarcon -- all now City Council members.
The FAQ from the Planning Department says this measure is being developed "in response" to AB 1866. No one should be misled by the phrase into thinking the legislation "requires" the city to destroy single-family home neighborhoods. Here's what the law says:
SEC. 2. Section 65852.2 of the Government Code is amended to read:65852.2. (a) (1) Any local agency may, by ordinance, provide for the creation of second units in single-family and multifamily residential zones.
"MAY" -- that's the operative word.
This is the same Planning Department that wants to increase the fees for homeowners and community groups to appeal its decisions on development projects by up to 2,000 percent.
It already has held two public meetings on this new measure at the Yucca Community Center and the Braude Constituent Services Center and plans only one more on Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 am - 2 pm at the David M. Gonzales/Pacoima Recreation Center, 10943 Herrick Avenue in Arleta.
The workshop notice says that for more information, please contact Gabriela Juárez at (213) 978-1337 or by email at
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.
(YOU CAN READ MORE AT RonKayeLA.com)
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