In Brief

Affordability First

On June 5, the City Council is slated to introduce an ordinance implementing Senate Bill 9, a State law enacted in January 2022 that allows a qualifying lot zoned for one unit to be subdivided into two parcels, with up to two residential units allowed on each new parcel. State law prohibits discretionary review of SB 9 applications, but does allow objective development and design standards to be applied. The ordinance “seeks to mitigate SB 9’s impacts to maintain community character in neighborhoods zoned for one dwelling per lot,” according to the City’s website. The Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance on May 9, and favored a requirement that the first (or one) “SB 9” unit on any R-1 lot be required to be dedicated for affordable housing; it is unclear whether or how that recommendation will be incorporated into the ordinance.