February 15, 2022
Mayor's Office
DATE: February 15, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Tom Butt
Subject:
Amend the Richmond Municipal Code to add new section
9.40.019 Non-residential Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit JADU Pilot Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Ordinance would waive application and permit fees so financial impact is unknown at this time because it will be dependent on number of applications.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
n/a
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Because of COVID-related vacancies in the commercial
real estate market, there is an opportunity to temporarily use safe commercial spaces to house homeless
individuals.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
INTRODUCE an ordinance amending the Richmond
Municipal Code to add new section 9.40.019 to allow
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units in non-residential
buildings during a Shelter Crisis – Mayor Tom Butt (510- 620-6503).
AGENDA
REPORT
February 15, 2022
DISCUSSION:
As a result of COVID-19, a substantial number of individuals, who previously routinely worked in offices and other commercial spaces found that working from home is both more convenient and equally productive. Also, the economic effects of COVID-19 resulted in a number of businesses downsizing or going out of business entirely.
There is an inventory of otherwise safe but unused or underutilized non-residential space that could be made available as affordable housing except that it is restricted to non-residential uses by zoning laws and general plan provisions.
Making this space available for use could substantially alleviate Richmond’s shelter crisis, which was adopted by the City Council as Resolution No. 79-18 on October 2, 2018.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
This Ordinance is not a project under the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, together with related State CEQA Guidelines (collectively, “CEQA”), because it has no potential for resulting in a physical change in the environment, either directly or ultimately, in that allowing Junior Accessory Dwelling Units during the housing crisis is for a limited duration.
In the event that this Ordinance is found to be a project under CEQA, it is subject to the CEQA exemption contained in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty to have no possibility of a significant effect on the environment.
CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential of causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In this circumstance, the urgency Ordinance would have no or only a de minimis impact on the environment because allowing vehicles to park on certain properties for a limited duration does not have any direct or indirect physical impacts on the environment. The foregoing determination is made by the City Council in its independent judgment.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Draft Ordinance adding New Section 9.40.019 to RMC to allow Junior Accessory Dwelling Units in non-residential buildings during a Shelter Crisis