Reversing course, Pleasanton planning staff is now recommending the city exclude the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as a compliance option to fulfill a proposed mandate that single-family residential builders construct at least 20 percent of all new homes within every project as “compact” units. Instead, such units would be strictly defined as being between 750 and 1,800 sq. ft. in size, detached or attached including duplexes or duets but excluding ADUs that are designed to accommodate a household of two or more people. The Pleasanton Planning Commission will discuss the proposed ordinance at its meeting on June 27, 2018. The 20 percent compact unit mandate — believed to be the first of its kind in the Bay Area and perhaps the state — would be in addition to the 20 percent affordable inclusionary requirement. In the agenda report, staff wrote that they removed ADUs from the definition of “compact unit” for three key reasons: builders are already including them in many projects; ADUs don’t provide home ownership opportunities and the city cannot require homeowners to make ADUs available to renters. BIA|Bay Area’s Lisa Vorderbrueggen will be raising a number of questions with the city and the Planning Commission about what would be a highly onerous burden on already expensive housing in Pleasanton. To provide input and comments for use in comments to the city, contact her at lvorderbrueggen@biabayarea.org or 925-348-1956. Click HERE to view the agenda, staff report and draft ordinance. Staff will bring the final draft ordinance to the Pleasanton City Council later this year. For questions or comments to the city planning staff, contact Pleasanton Associate Planner Jennifer Hagen at 925-931-5607 or jhagen@cityofpleasantonca.gov.
