Granny Units in Sebastopol

[Peter Schurch]

Dear Friends,

The City Council is meeting next Tuesday to look at the 2nd Unit Ordinance
in Sebastopol. I think the current size allowed for these is very tight and
family unfriendly. If you agree, there's a chance to make a difference. I
hope that you can come to the meeting at 7:00 at the Sebastopol Youth Annex,
425 Morris Street.

Peter Schurch

Here is a letter I wrote to the Council:

Dear Members of the City Council,

I am writing to request that you consider increasing the allowable size for
2nd Units in Sebastopol and further that the size be increased to 840 sf.

I believe that there is a need for smaller, well designed houses in the
City. I think that there is a special need for small two bedroom units. A
single person with a home office, a couple who each need some private space,
single parents all need two bedrooms. Modest two bedroom units make
Sebastopol affordable and liveable for a small family or single person.
Singles are the fastest growing segment of the population.

I am a structural engineer and work with a lot of architects. When I asked
several of them what they thought, they all agreed that 800 is too small for
two bedrooms. 840 sf works better. Also, because 840 sf is the County
standard, it would make the design process easier if there was a uniform
size for second units over all local jurisdictions. I suggest that you ask
local architects what they think of 800 sf for two bedrooms.

I live in a 500 sf granny myself and have been happy here for 10 years. I
also have a large 400 sf. accessory building to use as a home office and
plenty of extra storage space (garage and outbuidlings). Unfortunately
however, my girl friend who wanted to move in with me could not find enough
space here for herself and her two kids. I believe that it is appropriate
for families with kids to live in the City limits so that the kids can walk
to school and to visit their friends. I hope the City will encourage
modest, family oriented architecture by allowing 2 bedroom units.

The new ordinance requires one parking spot for each bedroom. This would
make it difficult to build 2 bedroom units given the size of most City lots.
I'd also hate to see paving more garden space for parking. Street parking
works fine for most areas and one off-street parking spot is plenty. I'd
like to see less parking required in the new ordinance.

[jj101]

Hi Peter,

I keep thinking about your proposals and am thinking you make sense. I do hesitate to build on the land but people need houses and they need to be big enough. If I had a huge workshop I'd be fine! What with huge loom, lots of projects, regular life. 840 sf sounds reasonable w/or w/o parking. It could provide reasonable living for people. I think we need rent control so the prices don't become too high. Thank you for your concern. What about mandatory roof gardens. I've been hearing about Cuba's efforts to feed people top quality local food and their success.

...
I am writing to request that you consider increasing the allowable size for
2nd Units in Sebastopol and further that the size be increased to 840 sf.
...