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architectural design team to develop) prototypical, preapproved designs for ADUs. The <br /> objective in providing these preapproved plans would be to streamline the City's review <br /> (since the plans could have been already reviewed by key City departments such as the <br /> Building and Safety Division and Fire Department) and to provide a desired benchmark <br /> of preferred architectural designs and detailing. Similar to other cities that have <br /> commissioned preapproved ADU plans, such as Danville and Dublin, the preapproved <br /> plans could provide variations of ADU size and architectural styles that meet the 16-foot <br /> height limitation. While a homeowner would not be required to utilize these preapproved <br /> plans, the plans could help set expectations for desirable outcomes, particularly since <br /> the City is not permitted to conduct case-by-case discretionary review of ADUs. Staff <br /> recommends the City Council direct staff to further research such a program, and, with <br /> City Manager's authorization, to move forward with doing so if appropriate and as <br /> resources allow. <br /> GENERAL PLAN CONFORMITY <br /> The City's General Plan includes the following policies to encourage ADUs: <br /> Housing Element Actively promote the creation of second units on single-family <br /> Policy 6 residential lots and their maintenance as sources of housing <br /> affordable to moderate-, low-, and very low-income households. <br /> Housing Element Conduct a review of the Second Unit Ordinance, including a survey <br /> Program 6.3 of similar requirements in other Bay Area cities. Using this review, <br /> consider allowing second units without an Administrative Design <br /> Review process in new single-family developments, subject to <br /> performance standards, consider reducing the existing Second Unit <br /> Ordinance requirements, such as the parking and height limit <br /> requirements, to encourage the development of second units, <br /> consider other measures to promote the creation of second units, <br /> and adopt necessary changes as appropriate. <br /> The amendments to the PMC would support and further these General Plan policies. <br /> PUBLIC NOTICE <br /> Notification of this code amendment has been published in The Valley Times as an <br /> upcoming agenda item for this City Council meeting. Additionally, staff sent a courtesy <br /> email notifying those interested in the update to the PMC as it relates to ADUs. Public <br /> comment sent to the City Council after the January 19 meeting is enclosed as <br /> Attachment 2. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> The proposed text amendments will facilitate the development of ADUs and make the <br /> PMC consistent with State law and integrate the direction provided by City Council on <br /> January 19. If City Council directs further modifications beyond those identified in <br /> Attachment 1, the ordinance would return for a final second reading. Lastly, staff would <br /> explore and potentially proceed with a program for the development of prototypical <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br />