Owners and committee agree to explore overlay for 7605 Collins Avenue; staff to return with proposal

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee discussed options for a single‑family property at 7605 Collins Avenue that is geographically isolated from surrounding parcels and bordered by Altos Del Mar Park. The owner asked the city to adopt zoning tools that protect the property’s residential use and scale; alternatives discussed included rezoning the parcel, an owner sale to the city, or an overlay district.

Why it matters: A rezoning that increases allowable FAR could trigger a Charter referendum; an overlay district can establish local restrictions without changing the underlying FAR and—depending on scope—may avoid a referendum. The property owners said they want protections against large neighboring redevelopment and seek a solution that preserves the home and its investment value.

Discussion and next steps: Attorney Michael Larkin and owner Betsy Perez presented background and asked for an overlay district as the most practicable path. Larkin noted an overlay could be drafted broadly to include compatible ancillary uses (for example, a small commercial or hotel's accessory use in a limited form) while preserving the single‑family character and would not itself expand FAR. The committee directed staff to work with the owner’s counsel to draft an overlay concept for review. Members said the city lacks identified funds to buy the property now and that an overlay would be a more immediate protection pathway. Staff and counsel agreed to meet and return with proposed overlay language for the committee’s review at a future meeting—January was discussed as the next realistic meeting date.

No final rezoning or purchase decision was made; the committee only directed staff to develop overlay language and return for review.