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CC - PUBLIC HEARING: Introduction of an Ordinance Approving City-Initiated Zoning Code Amendment (P2025-0012-ZCA) Amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Title 17 Zoning Code, Section 17.400.095 Residential Uses - Accessory Dwelling Units to Clarify and Update Existing Code Sections to Conform to State Accessory Dwelling Unit Law.
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Meeting Date: April 28, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: William Kavadas, Assistant Planner
Emily Stadnicki, Current Planning Manager
Phone Number: (310) 253-5706 / (310) 253-5727
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Hearing: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/23/2025); (Posted) City Website (04/10/2025); Gov Delivery (04/10/2025); (Published in) Culver City News (04/10/2025)
Department Approval: Mark E. Muenzer, Planning and Development Director (04/07/2025)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council introduce an Ordinance approving City-initiated Zoning Code Text Amendment, P2025-0012-ZCA, modifying the Zoning Code pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units to align with State law.
PROCEDURES
1. The Mayor seeks a motion to receive and file the affidavit of publication and posting of the public hearing notice.
2. The Mayor calls on staff for a brief staff report and City Council poses questions to staff.
3. The Mayor seeks a motion to declare the public hearing open and the City Council receives public comment.
4. The Mayor seeks a motion to close the public hearing after all testimony has been presented.
5. The City Council discusses the matter and arrives at its decision.
BACKGROUND
The City has initiated an amendment to the ADU Ordinance based on State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) guidance issued to Culver City. Revisions were included to incorporate the specific State legislative language.
On March 26, 2025, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted, by a 3-0 vote, Resolution No. 2025-P004 recommending to the City Council adoption of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption and approval of the proposed ZCA language to clarify and update language regarding ADUs (Attachment 2). Proposed changes included the following:
• New information describing ministerially approved State-mandated ADUs;
• No limitation on ADU square footage when converting existing structures;
• Exemption for ADUs and JADUs from Objective Design Standards;
• Removal of the Option for Attached New Construction ADUs to comply with State Law; and
• Update to Multifamily ADU allowances related to number of units permitted.
Please reference the Planning Commission staff report for further information and a summary of proposed changes (Attachment 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment, P2025-0012-ZCA, is considered exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, which exempts the adoption of an ordinance approving Zoning Code amendments related to accessory dwelling units that implement the provisions of Government Code Section(s) 66314 and 66333.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
CCMC Section 17.630.010 requires public notification via a publication in the Culver City News, a minimum of 14 days prior to the formal public hearing. Accordingly, a public notice was published in the Culver City News and posted on the City website and distributed electronically via GovDelivery on April 10, 2025. As of the writing of this report, no comments have been received from the public.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the introduction of the proposed ordinance approving the subject Zoning Code Amendment.
CONCLUSION
ADUs are an essential part of the City’s effort to increase housing production with 333 ADUs permitted since 2021. Recent determinations by HCD have resulted in the need to modify the Zoning Code to comply with State law. The Code Amendment will ensure that ADU regulations are in compliance, while addressing the housing crisis. Staff proposes the required findings can be made and recommends the City Council adopt the amendments.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-04-28_ATT 1 - Draft City Council Ordinance No. 2025- and Exhibit A Proposed Code Amendments.
2. 2025-04-28_ATT 2 - Planning Commission Resolution No. 2025-P004
3. 2025-04-28_ATT 3 - Planning Commission Staff Report, dated March 26, 2025 (without attachments)
MOTION
That the City Council:
Introduce an Ordinance approving City-Initiated Zoning Code Amendment P2025-0012-ZCA amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Title 17 Zoning Code, Section 17.400.095 Residential Uses - Accessory Dwelling Units to clarify and update existing Code Sections to conform to State Accessory Dwelling Unit Law.