3.11 21-0829 Subject: Amendments To Oakland Planning Code Related To Accessory Dwelling Units
From: Planning & Building Department
Recommendation: Adopt An Ordinance, As Recommended By The City Planning Commission, Amending The Oakland Planning Code To: (1) Revise Regulations For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUS) And Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUS) To Comply With State Law; (2) Amend The S-9 Zoning Overlay Map That Identifies Areas In The City Where ADUS Are Restricted To One Internal Conversion ADU Or JADU Per Residential Lot; (3) Provide An Exception Mechanism For Allowing Attached And Detached ADUS In The S-9 Zoning Overlay Zone; (4) Provide Additional Wildfire Building Protections In S-9 Zoning Overlay Zone; (5) Make Conforming Changes In Various Sections Of The Oakland Planning Code Related To ADUS; And 6) Make Appropriate California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Findings; On The November 30, 2021 Special Community & Economic Development Committee Agenda And The December 21, 2021 City Council Agenda As A Public Hearing
As somebody who works in Oakland, specifically on ADU design and architecture, I am grateful for the thoughtful and thorough approach city staff has taken to these ADU amendments. I support parts 1, 2, and 3. I am concerned about the specific implementation of part 4 "Provide additional wildfire building protections in s-9 zoning overlay zone" and would urge the city to consider that most ADU conversions are fire hardening existing, often dilapidated structures like old garages and sheds. Please don't make the requirements so stringent that they might deter homeowners from fire hardening these exterior structures, as that will be counter productive for fire safety in the s-9 overlay.
As somebody who works in Oakland, specifically on ADU design and architecture, I am grateful for the thoughtful and thorough approach city staff has taken to these ADU amendments. I support parts 1, 2, and 3. I am concerned about the specific implementation of part 4 "Provide additional wildfire building protections in s-9 zoning overlay zone" and would urge the city to consider that most ADU conversions are fire hardening existing, often dilapidated structures like old garages and sheds. Please don't make the requirements so stringent that they might deter homeowners from fire hardening these exterior structures, as that will be counter productive for fire safety in the s-9 overlay.