REDDING REALTORS LOBBY FOR GRANNY FLAT LAW CHANGES
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHASTA COUNTY, TIPS FOR SENIORS
August 12th, 2008
Granny Justice!
Realtors across the state fight the affordable housing battle on many fronts. Affordability issues make housing costs out of reach for many renters hoping for the American Dream- home ownership! Housing affordability efforts and programs must be expanded to ensure the availability of housing for future generations. Local governments tend to be the road blocks to implementing housing laws already on the books to address affordable housing issues. Second unit, or “granny flat” laws, have been tripped up by government planning departments, including some locally in the far north-state.Two decades ago, a second unit law was passed but has fallen far short of its potential, due in part, to unreasonable obstacles imposed by local municipalities. In 2002, the California Association of Realtors co-sponsored AB 1866 (Wright) that strengthened two important state affordable housing laws: second unit and density bonus law. The second unit provisions in this bill requires local governments to modify unreasonable parking, setback, height, lot size or other similar standards to the extent needed to build affordable housing. The problem is, some local governments continue to thumb their nose at the law, stifling any reasonable efforts to build second units in urban, suburban or rural settings.
Local Realtors have been reviewing and discussing planning and building department rules regarding second units with local city and county administrators with hopes we can work together to modify them to be more workable in all areas of the county. Redding, Anderson, Shasta Lake and Shasta County all have different rules regarding building a second unit on a property. Humboldt and Tehama Counties appear to have adopted more reasonable regulations for second units.
Baby boomers will be retiring soon, creating a great need to have family members or caretakers nearby for living assistance. Cities have found urban sprawl to be a costly burden for infrastructure, police and fire protection. Infill and higher density zoning could allow our area to grow without continually moving the city limits outward. Even before cities controlled development through zoning, local demand dictated housing densities. A good local example is the West Redding area around Shasta High School. When Shasta College was sited there, many apartment buildings and multiple units were developed to accommodate the college students in the immediate vicinity. Now the need is housing for our aging population.
If you would like to work with an agent that fights for affordable housing locally and at the state and national levels, give me a call. I provide expert buyer and seller representation and referral services. Free market evaluations and consultations. My contact information follows:
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
