A member of the La Palma city council is not at all happy about changes made by the California assembly requiring the city to update its ordinance permitting Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), or so-called ‘granny flats.’
“We are being forced to do this,” said council member Gerard Goedhart, who also said he feared “neighborhoods could get messed up” as a result of the changes.
California state officials, to create more housing in the state, has expanded the regulations since they were first approved.
His comments came after staff explained changes required in local ordinances to accommodate the new state changes. It was the city’s first video conferencing meeting.
Owners will no longer be required to reside in the homes to which they add ADU’s, and instead of one unit, homeowners and multi-family dwellings got more leeway for additional spaces and other provisions, according to Planning Manager Scott Hutter.
The area is already dense, said Goedhart, “and this is just going to create more density and change the character of neighborhoods.”
Goedhart said he hoped the state would “reconsider” the changes after the pandemic.
The city also learned that both its operating funds and reserve funds were in good shape, despite what is expected to an overall loss of between $400-500,000 during the pandemic.
More than half of that amount, however, was a $280,000 transfer from the city to its emergency fund, as required by ordinance.
The city, in 2017, instituted a local ordinance that has produced a strong reserve fund (see related story). La Palma’s current funds include a general fund balance of $1.5 million, an emergency reserve balance of $5.8 million and a capital operating budget of $6.8 million, giving them more than $14 million on hand, city officials were told.
Given the circumstances, city manager Conal McNamara said the city would be introducing a “status quo” budget of $11.3 million for fiscal year 2020-21.
McNamara said the staff was able to make some modest reductions in the proposed budget, but added they “will have no impact on city services.”
Things got a bit heated when consultants asked the council for direction regarding a $40,000 budget entry for next year to host a “Festival of Nations” event. The event has already been pushed to 2021 because of the pandemic.
Goedhart wanted the item out, saying that if things improve, it could be added back in next year. Other members were seemingly ok with that recommendation until Mayor Peter Kim asked the council to leave the item in the budget.
He said there will be an October budget review and, if things don’t improve by then, it can always be taken out then.
Goedhart objected, saying he was “looking to be as prudent as I can,” durig the pandemic.
Nevertheless, the council ultimately voted 4-1 to leave the item in next year’s budget and revisit it in October.
In other action, the council;
• Heard new Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Mike Petro say “I look forward to my new role as your division chief,” and he said he also hoped the reopening of Orange County happened “at appropriate, but rapid pace so we can meet face to face.”
• Voted to continue its emergency declaration which was passed on March 17 for 60 days. It was extended for another 60 days.
• Passed an ordinance allowing the countil more flexibility in council meeting times if required by the pandemic emergency.
