COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

Date:

March 10, 2003

Set Time:

9:45 a.m.

Hearing Date:

March 25, 2003

To:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

From:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

Subject:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Rural House Size Regulations

RECOMMENDATION

1.

Review and evaluate alternative approaches for regulating the size of houses in the rural Coastal Zone.

2.

Develop recommendations for consideration by the Planning Commission.

3.

Direct the Planning Commission to begin public hearings and formulate recommendations back to the Board of Supervisors.

PROPOSAL

Revisions to the County’s Zoning Regulations are proposed to control the size of houses in the rural Coastal Zone.

BACKGROUND

Planning staff has developed for your Board’s consideration alternative methods for regulating house size in rural areas. Your Board is requested to give guidance to the Planning Commission and to direct them to begin public hearings. The Planning Commission will formulate the specific amendments to the Zoning Regulations and then forward them to your Board for adoption.

SUMMARY

Staff has developed three alternative methodologies for regulating house size. The alternatives are: (1) size of house determined by parcel size, (2) size of house determined by number of density credits on parcel, and (3) size of house determined by ratio of house size to parcel size (Floor Area Ratio). Staff has evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative.