COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

 
 

DATE:

April 26, 2004

   

REGULAR AGENDA:

9:00 a.m.

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 11, 2004

 
 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

 

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

 

SUBJECT:

Extension of Interim Design Standards for Single-Family and Duplex Development in the Midcoast (4/5 Vote Required)

 
 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Adopt an ordinance extending interim design standards for single-family and duplex development in the Midcoast.

 

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY

 

On April 20, 2004, your Board adopted an urgency interim ordinance enacting design standards for single-family and duplex development in the Midcoast. The interim design standards were adopted following legal notice and public hearing. These standards remain in effect for 45 days, unless extended. Extension for up to 22 months and 15 days requires a public hearing noticed in accordance with the standard requirements for adoption of zoning regulations amendments.

 

Extension also requires that the agency report on progress toward adoption of permanent regulations to address the problem that led to adoption of the urgency ordinance. Your Board adopted permanent design standards that are identical to the interim standards on April 20, 2004. However, the permanent design standards cannot take effect until certified by the Coastal Commission, which is expected to take six to nine months. Staff is now preparing the Coastal Commission transmittal. Once certified, the permanent design standards will replace the interim standards.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

 

Adoption of interim regulations is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act under California Code of Regulations Section 15061(b)(3) because there is no possibility that the interim regulations, which impose further restrictions on development, will have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT

 

The proposal promotes the commitment of redesigning our urban environment to increase vitality, expand variety and reduce congestion, and Goal 12, encouraging land use decisions that consider impacts on the environment and on surrounding communities. The revised design standards contribute to this commitment and goal by encouraging residential development that is compatible with the local neighborhood and surrounding community, as well as integrated with the natural setting.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

No direct fiscal impact expected from the adoption of this ordinance.

 

OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES

 

County Counsel

 

ATTACHMENT

 

A.

Ordinance Extending Interim Design Standards