The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways, and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, second units also known as “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” Councilman Kyle Richards said. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the new requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state will enforce against any cities that don’t adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes, cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multi-family, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is located.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all-of-the-above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance.
Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs.
The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side.
Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
Goleta resident Connie Cornwell said a hedge next to her home is too tall and is rodent-infested.
“I was delighted when I heard we will have a hedge-height ordinance, because all I have heard from the city is ‘there’s nothing we can do because we don’t have an ordinance,’” Cornwell said. “I would like a 10-month amortization period, but three months is reasonable.”
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked Councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of factors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attoney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attoney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attoney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attoney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attoney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
The Goleta City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace its accessory dwelling ordinance with a new one that incorporates recent changes in the state law.
The state is looking to increase affordable housing in a slew of ways and one of them is relaxing standards for homeowners to build ADUs, or “granny flats.”
High fees, a long planning process and community disagreements over housing have historically put a stranglehold on efforts to build ADUs, but the new state laws almost make it automatic for cities to approve ADUs.
Members of the Goleta City Council expressed frustration with the state interfering with local planning efforts and supplanting its own local ADU ordinance.
“We spent a great deal of time going through what the community felt were the important standards for an ADU ordinance,” said councilman Kyle Richards. “Many of the decisions we made less than a year ago now feel moot. We came up with what we thought were important standards that affected our community.”
Cities that don’t adopt the state requirements would be in violation of state law; it is unclear how the state would enforce against any cities that would not adopt the state law.
“Cities right now are just scrambling to comply,” said Goleta City Attorney Megan Garibaldi.
Among the changes: Cities may no longer require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU; the accessory dwelling units are now allowed on lots with multifamily, not just single-family homes; cities can also no longer require that the homeowner live in the home where the ADU is.
Councilman James Kyriaco said that the state is looking at a one-size-fits-all approach for planning.
“We really need an all of the above approach rather than relying too heavily on one tool if we are going to meet our housing challenges,” Kyriaco said. “It is is very frustrating to me that the state, whether their intentions are good, is trying to solve our housing problems with ADUs, and not doing enough with other kinds of housing.”
In other action:
The City Council rolled along in its effort to approve a zoning ordinance. Goleta is trying to pass its own zoning ordinance that regulates rules for building heights, inclusionary housing, environmentally sensitive habitats, creek setbacks, residential front yard setbacks, signs, parking, open space, and a variety of other topics.
Since the city incorporated in 2002, it has been relying on county rules. The 111-page document is intended to provide, clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility.
On Tuesday, the council discussed issues such as fences, freestanding walls, and hedges; nonconforming uses and structures; mobile vendors; accessory dwelling units; substantial conformity determinations and residential signs. The council is set to take a final vote on Feb. 18.
One of the issues that sparked the most debate Tuesday night was whether the city should adopt a hedge ordinance of six feet or less facing the front yard, or eight feet from the side. Under the proposal, homeowners would have three months to trim or cut down their hedges before they would be considered in violation of the ordinance. Goleta will not actively enforce the the law; it would be complaint driven.
The zoning ordinance also calls for a ban on chain-link fences, a proposal that irked councilman Roger Aceves.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Aceves said. “I think we should allow a chain link fence. If that is what the property owner wants to do, we shouldn’t restrict it,”
Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said the reason for the chain-link ban is based on “a number of actors, but aesthetics are one of them.”
Councilman Stuart Kasdin also expressed some reluctance.
“I don’t know if I want a chain link fence at my house, but I am not sure if I want to ban it either.”
—