ATTACHMENT 3-1
Questions and Comments from February 28, 2022, Community Meeting
1. I want to thank Patrick Prescott, Fred Ramirez, Scott Pl ambaeck, Shipra Rajesh and all of Planning that worked so diligently and fervently to streamline the codes for Burbank homeowners. Thank You!!
2. How many SFSDP projects are currently Active? How many SFSDP Applications have been submitted in past 4 years? (Answered Live)
3. Is the council still able to make changes prior to the scheduled vote on this matter? (Answered Live)
4. In the examples shown by the City of Burbank during the February 28th meeting that illustrate the City’s reasoning to account for an increase of top-of-plate, would any of those homes be denied a grading permit to lower the corner and side of the lot to allow for current maximum top of plate buildings? In the case shown by planning, it appears the grading needed would be 12 inches, as our code currently allows for 6 inches without grading permit. Would this property be denied a permit for 6 inches of grading?
5. Would you give 3-4 specific examples of how the existing standards have been an impediment for people who want to remodel their house? The staff report bunches remodel and new construction all together making it hard to understand. What are some clear examples? (Answered Live)
6. How many SFSDP projects have been approved in the past 4 years? How many SFSDP projects have been denied past 4 years? How many SFSDP projects have been Appealed in past 4 years? (Answered Live).
7. Many cities allow accessory dwelling units (ADU), that are built above garages with an entrance off an alley, to overhang the minimum rear set back. Can you help me understand why Burbank does not allow this?
8. What was the impact of Covid- 19 on processing projects? How much time did Covid add to review and evaluate SFSDP projects?
9. What Training has Staff received on the SF Design Guidelines and current code for SFSDP? When was this training on the SF Design Guidelines completed? (Answered Live)
10. It was stated that the FAR was not changed. Is it 0.35 or .40? (Answered Live) ATTACHMENT 3-2
11. Could the staff provide the project numbers for the 2 story new construction projects that have been approved and are under construction (or completed).
Could they also provide the project numbers for the fastest new two -story construction to achieve approval after 2017? If possible, could they also provide the same information for a project that had a slope as part of the project and was the fasted to be completed? Thank you. (Answered Live)
12. For my last question, to clarify, I'd like to see the project that took the Longest, I was not clear.
13. What is FAR? (Answered Live)
14. Could the top-of-plate increase be modulated by an objective standard like size of lot? The perceived impact on the neighbor’s privacy is lessened by distance.
15. Can planning staf f please give some examples , how eliminating the SFSDP will preserve the character of Burbank’s residential neighborhoods? Staff, can you please give specific examples -- How the proposed changes will enhance Neighborhood Compatibility?
16. How many get permits processed per month & average break down. Will they now be considered “at right” to build. One document reads as it’s the owner / builder responsibility to be in compliance. How many delays are fr om owner request for changes? (Answered Live)
17. I would like to get full list of SFSDP active projects—how can I get this? How many SFSDP projects have been denied in past 4 years? How many denied SFSDP projects have been appealed by the Applicant?
18. In cases where there is not a slope, is there a maximum height where the second story finished floor would be allowed to start? How high is that? Would this height be the same on homes are level with each other? So, in the future, would current homeowners be subjected to a possible increase of a new construction finished floor being 2 feet higher over their backyard than under the current code?
19. I'm wondering why the City of Burbank allows two (2) story homes but not two (2) story ADUs?
20. For my prior question about the second story finished floor on level lots, where the new second story would be two feet higher above a level lotted neighbor’s yard, how many homes could this be the case vs. ones where it would be lowered or be on a hill and be even higher because of the new construction being uphill from an existing home at a lower elevation?
ATTACHMENT 3-3
21. How fair is it that you can add 1000 sq. ft. ADU and a 500 sq. ft ADU by right and have a permit in 60 days, yet if I want to add 600 sq. ft. It takes 24 months. Crazy.
22. The proposed regulations sound reasonable and won’t make homes any bigger then wants allowed. The intention seems to speed up the process.
23. Could the City adjust the workflow so that smaller projects could be handled by one or two dedi cated staff people to clear projects like interior remodels, sinks, toilets, one room add-on etc. so that they aren't stuck in the same line with large home projects? This is what Glendale is doing, according to their planning supervisor. Happy to share the rest of my conversation with him.
24. Under the proposed changes, do homeowners need to post the sign in front of the house announcing the project, and send notices to everyone within 300 ft? Or are those requirements eliminated? (Answered Live)
25. In terms of incorporating lessons learned from experience and cases: Has there been further clarification to protect property of City of Burbank Trees? Could language be written that would compel an apron size and shape to be built to preserve any healthy City of Burbank Property Tree when any apron design exists which could preserve the City property, and totally disconnect it from driveway size.
Or compel driveway change if needed?
26. Does the City get credit for a habitable ADU towards State of California housing requirements even if the original owners are the only people using t he ADU? Does current situation keep crowding down?
27. I would like to reach out to Staff and request a meeting with members of the Planning Department to review my questions and share information in an interactive meeting format, with back -and-forth discussions. The Zoom meeting does not allow sharing information or two -way discussion. Members of the community and Preserve Burbank would like to be afforded the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes in back-and-forth discussion and share information in person meeting.
28. Can we table the ADU questions from this forum? They do not pertain to the changes being suggested.
29. Is it possible to build a swimming pool on every single lot in Burbank? If not, could the code be changed to allow swimming pools on every lot, in case there are lots where the pool could only work if was dug 3 inches from the edge of the rear of the property? Would the limits on pools be considered subjective, or would there be ATTACHMENT 3-4
an objective restriction that based on the topographical make-up of the lot and the existing buildings?
30. For the swimming pool question, does every lot need to be able to accommodate the same size and shape pool.
31. Holding an interactive meeting with members of the Community will allow Staff to present real-world examples of how the proposed changes may help and Not destroy neighborhood compatibility. I hope that staff will take me up on my request for an in person meeting and/or more interactive meeting format to collaborate with members of Community and allow all parties to share information.
32. Are you removing the right for a neighbor to appeal? (Answered Live)
33. The number of homes with a 7 -foot slope side to side have to be miniscule. This can be resolved without increasing the top of plate height across the board for ALL new homes, right?
34. Other than the state encouraged ADU buildings, what if any effect might these new building rules have on R1-H zoned properties? Thank you. (Answered Live)
35. How does allowing larger garage exemptions for rear-facing garages, reduce bulk and mass? (Answered Live)
36. Doing the meeting via zoom , many people don’t know how to zoom? I feel it restricted input.
37. Overall height is irrelevant if the box gets bigger. Without a limit on the raised foundation height, the top plate could be over 28 feet allowing 2 feet for a low- pitched roof. Can you add a maximum height limit for raised foundations?
38. Proven standards, and real-world examples can be seen as what is working, effective results.
39. To clarify: our concern is how high the second story finished floor starts above a neighboring yard. Not the total height of the building. Modulate the height based on objective conditions.
40. From the Staff report, the Applicants are the only voice they are listening to.
41. I have a pool and one neighbor already sees into my backyard. It takes away from my enjoyment. Streamlines are good with clear guidelines.
ATTACHMENT 3-5
42. In the case of non-conforming structures, would property that is built off-plan, over the 2017 setback standards and closer to the street than approved and also the maximum at time of approval, or located in a place that was not permitted be protected by this zone code addition if it were built before this change in the code? If so, would future builders be treated equally if it were discovered that they built a structure in an area that it is closer to the street than the front set back?