New ordinance aims to curb monster home construction

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed ordinance aimed at expanding the Central Neighborhoods Large Residence Special Use District (SUD) to include Coal Valley, which was added to District 8 following the 2022 redistricting. The ordinance seeks to unify the Central Neighborhoods SUD and eliminate the Corona Heights SUD, which has similar objectives of curbing the construction of large single-family homes, often referred to as \"monster homes.\"

The proposal is rooted in concerns raised by residents about the impact of large home constructions on neighborhood character. The Central Neighborhoods SUD, established in 2022, and the Corona Heights SUD, created in 2017, both aim to protect existing neighborhood aesthetics while allowing for compatible housing density. However, they differ in their regulatory approaches. The Corona Heights SUD requires conditional use authorization for homes exceeding 3,000 square feet but does not cap building size, while the Central Neighborhoods SUD sets a maximum unit size of 4,000 square feet and a threshold of 3,000 square feet for conditional use authorization.

As part of the ordinance, the conditional use authorization requirements for both SUDs will expire on December 31, 2024, after which new residential constructions will be limited to 3,000 square feet, with exceptions for minor expansions. Planning staff noted that while the SUDs have successfully reduced the size of large home expansions, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the new regulations in promoting increased housing density.

The planning department supports the ordinance's intent but recommends modifications, including excluding accessory garage space from gross floor area calculations and allowing one dwelling unit in a project to exceed 4,000 square feet if it adds another unit. These adjustments aim to facilitate the development of moderately sized housing units while maintaining the ordinance's core objectives.

Public comments during the meeting reflected a mix of support and skepticism regarding the proposed changes, particularly concerning the implications of the 4,000 square foot cap on unit size. As the commission prepares to vote on the ordinance, the discussions highlight ongoing efforts to balance neighborhood preservation with the need for increased housing options in the area.