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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-11-06; City Council; 7942; Discretionary review of apartment projectsClTYLOF CARLSBAD - AGENDL-31LL I . .I DEPT. HD.M- I CITY AITYTk bB#- 1 Tb' DISCRETIONARY REVIEW OF APARTMENT ITG. 11/6/84 PROJECTS RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to prepare a zone code amendment to require discretionary review of apartment projects consisting of 5 or more units. ITEM EXPLANATION This item is a request to consider the application of a discretionary review process for apartment projects containing 5 or more units. Presently, the zoning ordinance does not have a requirement for discretionary review of apartments that are proposed at or below the minimum density of the general plan. These projects only need a building permit for approval. Large apartment projects can be approved without addressing major impacts that could result after they are constructed. Impacts and concerns that are not addressed by building permit review are traffic impacts, design compatibility and density compatibility. This issue was brought up at a previous City Council meeting when the Council was considering adopting an inducement resolution for mortgage revenue bond financing for a 600 unit apartment project which was proposed at the minimum general plan density range. The City Council directed staff to return with a report addressing this issue. Staff recommends that a zone code amendment be prepared that would require discretionary review of all apartment projects that contain 5 or more units. Further, staff believes that any project containing up to 50 units be approved by the Planning Commission and any project containing 50 or more units be approved by the City Council. This would set up a review procedure similar to condominium projects. With such an amendment to the zoning ordinance, apartment projects will be reviewed to ensure that they do not create adverse impacts to surrounding properties. FISCAL IMPACTS Requiring discretionary approval for apartment projects will require additional staff time for adequate review. The cost to the city for staff time needed would be offset by the establishment of application fees for the review process.