Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 0301 CC REG ITEM 09AITEV9A. MEMORANDUM TO: The Honorable City Council 4 9t C. FROM: Jaime Aguilera, Director of Community Developme Paul Porter, Senior Planner DATE: February 15, 1995 (CC meeting of March 1, 1995) SUBJECT: CONSIDER REVISIONS TO ORDINANCE NO. 189 (ZONING ORDINANCE) REGARDING GARAGE CONVERSIONS WHICH OCCURRED PRIOR TO CITY INCORPORATION Background From time to time the Department of Community Development is made aware of cases where garages were converted to living areas without the replacement of required parking prior to the City's incorporation. On June 21 and October 3, 1994, the Community Development Committee considered this subject and considered a policy regarding the regulation of garages that were converted to living quarters prior to the incorporation of the City. The committee indicated that establishing a policy will reduce code enforcement time and treat homeowners equitably and fairly. The Committee recommended that this matter be placed on the Council's agenda in order to have the Council direct the Planning Commission to set the matter for public hearing for an amendment to the City's Zoning Ordinance. The Committee agreed that an Ordinance amendment should also include the following provisions: a. That the property owner prove to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director that the conversion was done prior to City incorporation. (This can be done by submitting dated photographs, affidavits from neighbors, receipts for contractor's work, etc.) b. That the property owner agree that the converted garage will not be used as sleeping quarters (i.e. playroom, den, exercise room, etc.), and that if the use as sleeping quarters currently exists, that it will cease immediately. C. That the property owner pay for the cost to record a cloud on the title requiring the conversion back to a garage prior to sale or transfer of the property. d. That the property owner shall enter into an agreement with the City not to use the converted garage area for sleeping quarters. PP02:15:95110:29amA:\1NAR95.CC 1 00042 e. That if the garage is used for sleeping quarters after the property owner enters into an agreement with the City, the property owner must convert the structure back to the garage immediately. On December 7, 1994, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to set the matter for public hearing for an amendment to the City's Zoning Ordinance. At the Planning Commission meeting on January 23, 1995 regarding "Garage Conversions, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this matter and directed staff to make changes to the proposed Ordinance Amendments and bring the Resolution back to the Planning Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 13, 1995. The attached Resolution incorporates the Planning Commission's recommended changes. Discussion The Planning Commission recommended the following revisions to the Zoning Ordinance: Section 8102 -0 (Definitions) of the Zoning Ordinance be amended to include the definition of Sleeping Quarters as follows: The addition of Section 8113 -5.2.6 as follows: PP02:15:95110:29aMA.\1MAR95.CC 2 000,43, On January 24, 1995, staff requested that the City Attorney review the draft Ordinance. The City Attorney's comments have been incorporated into the attached Ordinance. Fiscal Impact This is a non - revenue - generating effort on the part of staff. It was listed in the goals and objectives as a non - starred item. Staff estimated that 50 person hours would be required to complete the task. As of the writing of this report, the project planner and other chargeable staff has spend a total of 25.5 hours ($2,014.5) on this project. This project is approximately 80% complete. Staff estimates that the total cost of processing this Ordinance amendment including the cost to codify the ordinance to be approximately $3,000.00. Recommendations: 1. Open the public hearing, accept public testimony, and close the public hearing. 2. Determine that the modifications to the City's Zoning Ordinance are categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3). 3. Introduce the Ordinance for first reading. Attachments: 1. Draft Ordinance 2. Planning Commission Resolution PP02:15:95110:29aM: \1MAR95.CC 3 00944 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 189 PERTAINING TO: GARAGE CONVERSIONS WHICH OCCURRED PRIOR TO CITY INCORPORATION Whereas, on January 23, 1995, the Planning Commission studied, held a public hearing, and recommended the City Council make the modifications described in Section 3 to the City's Zoning Ordinance in order to clarify certain sections of the Ordinance and to better fit the needs of the City; and Whereas, the City Counci-l. opened and closed the public hearing on March 1, 1995; and Whereas, the City Council determined that the modifications to the City's Zoning Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3) in that the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment; and Whereas, requested changes to the Zoning Ordinance as directed by the City Council have been made to the Ordinance. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the modifications to the City's Zoning Ordinance are categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3). SECTION 2. That the Current Zoning Ordinance No. 189 is hereby amended as found in Section 3. SECTION 3. Sections 8102 and 8113 -5 et seq. are amended to read as follows: Sec. 8102 -0 - APPLICATION OF DEFINITIONS- Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions of words and terms as follows shall govern the construction of this Chapter. PP02:15:95110:29aM:\1MAR95.CC 4 00045 "Sec. 8113 -5 - OTHER NONCONFORMING USES (NO LONGER PERMITTED) - All nonconforming uses which are no longer permitted in the zone in which they are located shall be regulated according to the following provisions: Sec. 8113 -5.1 - Uses Not Involving Permanent Structures - The nonconforming use of land where no permanent structure is involved shall be terminated not later than three years after such use becomes nonconforming. Sec. 8113 -5.2- Uses Within Structures Subject to Amortization - All nonconforming commercial or industrial uses in Residential (R), Open Space or Agricultural zones, within conforming or nonconforming structures, shall be amortized from the effective date of this Chapter or a later amendment which renders the use nonconforming, based on the square footage of the structure at the time the use is rendered nonconforming, as follows: Ten years for 1,000 square feet, plus 1.25 years for each additional 100 square feet over 1,000 square feet; maximum 60 years. At the end of the amortization period, the use shall be brought into conformance with this Chapter or terminated, unless a continuance is obtained pursuant to Section 8113 - 5.2.17. Sec. 8113 -5.2.1 - Expansion and Change of Use Prohibited - Nonconforming uses under Sec. 8113 -5.2 above shall not be changed to another use or be expanded or extended in any way on the same or any adjoining land nor into any other portion of a structure or lot during the amortization period, except that structural alterations may be made therein as required by law. Furthermore, such nonconforming uses shall not be expanded or extended beyond the scope of specific conditions to a continuance of nonconformity granted pursuant to Sec. 8113 -5.2.5 of this Article, and subsequent to the period of amortization. Sec. 8113 -5.2.2 - Discontinuance or Change of Use Status -The discontinuance for a period of 180 or more days of a nonconforming use or a change of nonconforming use to a conforming use constitutes abandonment and termination of the nonconforming status of the use. Sec. 8113 -5.2.3 - Notice of Amortization - The Director of Community Development shall give notice by certified mail of the date upon which an amortization period will end to each owner of record whose property, or use of property, is not in conformance with the regulations of this Chapter, in those :instances where the Director of PP02:15:95 110:29amA: \1MAR95.cc 5 00046 Community Development has knowledge of such nonconformity. Such notice shall be sent in a timely manner. If the amortization period ends before or less than six months after such knowledge of the nonconformity, notice shall be given that the amortization period in each instance shall be not less than six months from the date the notice is sent. The notice shall set forth all pertinent provisions of this Article, including the declared purposes thereof. Failure to send notice by mail to any such owner where the address of such owner is not a matter of public record shall not invalidate any proceedings under this Article. Sec. 8113- 5.2.4- Notice of Termination and Order to Comply - Notice of Termination of a nonconforming use and order to comply shall be served by the Director of Community Development at the end of the amortization period upon the owner of record whose property contains such nonconforming use. In those instances where the Director of Community Development is unable with reasonable effort to serve such notice to the property owner, such notice and order shall be served within 30 days of the end of the amortization period by delivering same to an occupant of the structure containing the nonconforming use. Sec. 8113 -5.2.5 - Request for a Continuance of Non - conformities Beyond Period of Amortization - A request for a continuance of non - conformities beyond the period of amortization may be granted as follows: a. Grounds for Continuance - A nonconforming use or structure may be maintained for a reasonable time beyond its period of amortization as specified in this Article if the Director of Community Development makes the following determinations: (1) Special Circumstances - that special circumstances apply to any such use or structure which do not apply generally to others affected hereby; and (2) Compatibility with Public Welfare that such a continuance for a prescribed period of additional time is in the public interest and will be reasonably compatible with and not detrimental to the use of adjacent properties. PP02:15:95110:29aM: \1MAR95.CC 6 00047 b. Application Process for Continuance - Any application for a continuance of a nonconforming use or structure must be filed with the Planning Division no later than 30 days following the service of a Notice of Termination and order to comply, or within 30 days following the continued termination date. An application for a continuance may be filed by the owner of the property, a person with a power of attorney from the owner of the property, or a lessee, if the terms of the lease permit the existing use. Fees shall be required in accordance with Section 8111 -3.9. C. Determination by Director of Community Development - Upon filing of a complete application, the Director of Community Development shall investigate the matter, give proper notice, hold an administrative hearing and make a decision thereon based on the criteria set out in this Section and supported by written findings of fact within 75 days from the date the application is filed, or within such extended period of time as may be mutually agreed upon by the applicant and the Director of Community Development. The Director of Community Development may impose such conditions, including time limitations, as he or she deems necessary for the compatibility of such nonconformity with adjacent properties. d. Appeals shall be filed in accordance with Section 8111 -8.1. PP02:15:95110:29amA:\1MM95.CC 7 00048 SECTION 4. That if any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, parts or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the passage and adoption. PP02:15:95110:29anA:\1MAR95.CC 8 00049 SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance; shall enter the same in the book of original ordinances of said city; shall make a minute of the passage and adoption thereof in the records of the proceedings of the City Council at which the same is passed and adopted; and shall, within fifteen (15) days after the passage and adoption thereof, cause the same to be published once in the Moorpark News, a weekly newspaper of general circulation, as defined in Section 6008 of the Government Code, for the City of Moorpark, and which is hereby designated for that purpose. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of , 1995. Paul W. Lawrason, Jr. Mayor ATTEST: Lillian E. Hare City Clerk PP02:15:95110:29amA: \1MAR95_CC 9 00050 RESOLUTION NO. PC -95- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLAWING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA MAKING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL PERTAINING TO PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY'S ZONING ORDINANCE REIAMD TO THE REGULATION OF GARAGE CONVERSIONS WHICH OCCURRED PRIOR TO CITY INCORPORATION Whereas, the Council adopted Ordinance No 189 as the City's Zoning Regulations on March 2, 1994; and Whereas, in using the Ordinance, staff has noted that there has been a need to make several minor modifications in order to clarify certain sections of the Ordinance and to better fit the needs of the City; and Whereas, on December 14, 1994, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to study, set a public hearing and provide a recommendation to the City Council pertaining to modification to the City's Zoning Ordinance; and Whereas, at a duly noticed hearing on January 23, 1995, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this matter; and Whereas, the Planning Commission determined that the modifications to the City's Zoning Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Section 15061 (b) (3) in that the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. On January 23, 1995, the Planning Commission studied, held a public hearing, and recommended the City Council make the modifications described in Section 3 to the City's Zoning Ordinance in order to clarify certain sections of the Ordinance and to better fit the needs of the City. PPO1.21:9511.26FwA.\13P1095_PC 2 ATTACHMENT 2 00 t SECTION 2. That the Planning Commission finds: That the modifications to the City's Zoning Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Section 15061 (b) (3) in that the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. SECTION 3. Section 8102 and 8113 -5 et seq. is amended to read as follows: Sec. 8102 -0 - APPLICATION OF DEFINITIONS- Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions of words and terms as follows shall govern the construction of this Chapter. "Sec. 8113 -5 - OTHER NONCONFORMING USES (NO LONGER PERMITTED) - All nonconforming uses which are no longer permitted in the zone in which they are located shall be regulated according to the following provisions: Sec. 8113 -5.1 - Uses Not Involving Permanent Structures - The nonconforming use of land where no permanent structure is involved shall be terminated not later than three years after such use becomes nonconforming. Sec. 8113 -5.2- Uses Within Structures Subject to Amortization - All nonconforming commercial or industrial uses in Residential (R), Open Space or Agricultural zones, within conforming or nonconforming structures, shall be amortized from the effective date of this Chapter or a later amendment which renders the use nonconforming, based on the square footage of the structure at the time the use is rendered nonconforming, as follows: Ten years for 1,000 square feet, plus 1.25 years for each additional 100 square feet over 1,000 square feet; maximum 60 years. At the end of the amortization period, the use shall be brought into conformance with this Chapter or terminated, unless a continuance is obtained pursuant to Section 8113 - 5.2.5, . Sec. 8113 -5.2.1 - Expansion and Change of Use Prohibited - Nonconforming uses under Sec. 8113 -5.2 above shall not be changed to another use or be expanded or extended in any way on the same or any adjoining land nor into any other portion of a structure or lot during the amortization period, except that structural alterations may be made therein as required by law. Furthermore, such nonconforming uses shall not be expanded or extended beyond the scope of spec ifi,:� conditions to a continuance PP01:24 :9511:26pmA:\13FEB95_PC 3 0005.2 this Article, and subsequent to the period of amortization. Sec. 8113 -5.2.2 - Discontinuance or Change of Use Status -The discontinuance for a period of 180 or more days of • nonconforming use or a change of nonconforming use to • conforming use constitutes abandonment and termination of the nonconforming status of the use. Sec. 8113 -5.2.3 - Notice of Amortization - The Director of Community Development shall give notice by certified mail of the date upon which an amortization period will end to each owner of record whose property, or use of property, is not in conformance with the regulations of this Chapter, in those instances where the Director of Community Development has knowledge of such nonconformity. Such notice shall be sent in a timely manner. If the amortization period ends before or less than six months after such knowledge of the nonconformity, notice shall be given that the amortization period in each instance shall be not less than six months from the date the notice is sent. The notice shall set forth all pertinent provisions of this Article, including the declared purposes thereof. Failure to send notice by mail to any such owner where the address of such owner is not a matter of public record shall not invalidate any proceedings under this Article. Sec. 8113 - 5.2.4- Notice of Termination and Order to Comply - Notice of Termination of a nonconforming use and order to comply shall be served by the Director of Community Development at the end of the amortization period upon the owner of record whose property contains such nonconforming use. In those instances where the Director of Community Development is unable with reasonable effort to serve such notice to the property owner, such notice and order shall be served within 30 days of the end of the amortization period by delivering same to an occupant of the structure containing the nonconforming use. Sec. 8113 -5.2.5 - Request for a Continuance of Non conformities Beyond Period of Amortization - A request for a continuance of non - conformities beyond the period of amortization may be granted as follows: a. Grounds for Continuance - A nonconforming use or structure may be maintained for a reasonable time beyond its period of amortization as specified in this Article if the Director Of Community Development makes the following determinations: PPOlr24.95 /1.26p".\13PBB95.PC 4 00053 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1995. AYES: Commissioners Miller, for es, Mav and Acosta, Martens absent. NOES: ATTEST: Celia LaFleur, Secretary C- PP01.24.9511.26pwA:\13PEB95.PC 0 Opt ►s