Members of the Delmar City Council speak out against Senator Toni Atkins on the ‘unintended consequences’ of housing laws that many local leaders are frustrated with as the state tries to resolve the homelessness and affordability crisis. sent a letter to
Delmar Deputy Mayor Tracy Martinez said, “We are experiencing a dramatic and inevitable loss of local control, which has indeed had many negative effects on our city and its residents.
The letter refers to state laws streamlining the construction of ADUs as a way to increase housing stock. However, the ADU does not have to actually be used as a residential unit.Homeowners who build ADUs typically use ADUs for home offices and other purposes.
“Overall, the state order raises concerns about the loss of local control, the unnecessary impact on community character, and the general funding impact,” the city letter said.
As part of the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, Del Mar is required to provide zoning for 175 new units, including 113 affordable units.
“The City recognizes that housing affordability is a significant issue facing California, and the City is committed to being part of the solution to the housing shortage,” he said. Martinez, city council member Terry Gusterlund, and the city planner said in a report to the city council.
But in their letter, they said there were “inconsistencies” in the implementation of laws such as SB 9, which allow duplexes and fourplexes in single-family home lots in coastal cities. Coastal zone development, including the coastal zone, is subject to increased oversight by state coastal commissions.
“The SB 9 and ADU laws, in particular, have been difficult to implement due to the constraints of Del Mar’s coastal location and associated environmentally sensitive lands, and the evolving interpretation of their respective laws at the state level. ’” the letter said.
Proponents of SB 9 argue that the law is an important step in avoiding single-family zoning, which has been a bottleneck to the construction of multifamily housing, including affordable housing.
“This bill will provide homeowners with tools to help alleviate the state’s housing shortage while creating new streams of income in their own backyards,” Atkins said in a statement last year on SB 9. was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. “This will allow our community to welcome new families into the neighborhood and help more people get on the road to buying their first home.” I can help.”
Delmar Mayor Dwight Warden said the city should make more concrete proposals.
“There’s absolutely no real expectation that she’ll jump at it and sponsor legislation to do anything unless she says something more specific,” Warden said.
