Two public hearings took place at the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission meeting on the evening of July 21, though with no speakers for either, both items passed unanimously.
Item 6A read: “Recommendation to the City Council on adoption of Zone Text Amendment #3-26 to amend Title 18 (Zoning) of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to the review process and development/design standards for mechanical/robotic parking structures.”
A staff note read that, “The Community Development Department has received applications proposing multifamily residential developments that rely on robotic or mechanical parking structures to satisfy the City’s off-street parking requirements. Currently, robotic or mechanical parking structures are permitted by right, with wall screening as the only development standard specific to these facilities. Continuing to allow these facilities to be constructed by right limits the City’s ability to address potential operational, safety, and compatibility impacts on adjacent residential properties, including issues that may arise after construction, because the City lacks discretionary authority to impose performance standards or require corrective measures.:”
According to the report, the environmental consideration read as follows, “The Zone Text Amendment is statutorily exempt from CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which provides that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The ordinance would not result in physical change in the environment and does not involve any construction or additions to any existing structures.”
That passed with a unanimous 5-0 vote, as did 6B: “Recommendation to the City Council on adoption of Zone Text Amendment No. 2-26 to amend Chapter 18.13 of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs).”
The environmental consideration was noted as, “The Zone Text Amendment and Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 which exempts ordinances implementing accessory dwelling unit ordinances.”
Both items are now passed to the City Council for consideration at a future date.
