HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - NB-5 - Authorization of More Than 4 Hours - 2/7/2012CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2012
ITEM NUMBER:
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF MORE THAN 4 HOURS OF WORK ACTIVITY:
ILLEGAL GARAGES USED AS HABITABLE SPACE OR EXCESSIVE STORAGE
DATE: JANUARY 26, 2011
FROM: PLANNING DIVISION/DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
PRESENTATION BY: KHANH NGUYEN, INTERIM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CLAIRE FLYNN, AICP (714) 754-5278
CLAIRE.FLYNN@COSTAMESACA.GOV
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize staff to complete more than 4 hours of work activity related to the appropriate
uses of a garage.
BACKGROUND
On April 11, 2011, the Planning Commission considered various strategies, including a
voluntary self -certification program, to prevent the illegal use of garages as habitable
space.
On September 12, 2011, Planning Commission approved a garage flyer for general
circulation.
Pursuant to Planning Commission direction in November 2011, staff is requesting
authorization of more than four hours of work activity to be utilized to look into and
research preventive measures for appropriate uses of garages in both single-family and
multi -family residential zones.
ANALYSIS
Per the Planning Commission's direction, a flyer has been published detailing the
danger of garages being used as living spaces (see attached). The flyer has been
posted on the City's web page and mailed to every apartment owner in conjunction with
business licenses. It has also been sent for distribution to the Apartment Association of
Orange County.
In addition to the flyer, there is interest to create a voluntary compliance / educational
program to prevent the following:
Prevent garages from being illegally converted into living spaces.
Prevent garages from being utilized for storage in a manner that would
preclude vehicle parking.
The Planning Commission would like such a program to be implemented in both single-
family and multi -family zones. This work effort would be a collaboration between the
Development Services Department, Fire Department, and the Apartment Association of
Orange County to develop a voluntary program that would address these issues. Such
a program could be in the form of a public awareness program with annual workshops
or an informational video. This is yet to be determined.
The final decision maker for adoption of the program — provided that there are no fiscal
implications — shall be the Planning Commission.
CONCLUSION
The Planning Commission is interested in creating a voluntary compliance / educational
program to prevent garages from being illegally converted into living spaces or utilized
for storage in a manner that would preclude vehicle parking.
CLAIRE FLYNN, AICP KHANH NG UY N
Act. Asst. Dev. Svcs. Director Interim Devel p t Services Director
ATTACHMENT: Garage flyer
DISTRIBUTION: Chief Executive Officer
Assistant Chief Executive Officer
Economic Development Director
Fire Chief
City Attorney
Interim Development Services Director
Interim Public Services Director
Transportation Services Manager
Fire Protection Analyst
City Clerk (2)
Staff (4)
Planning Staff (8)
File (2)
N
Emily Osterberg
Apartment Association of Orange County
525 Cabrillo Park Drive Suite 125
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Ed Fawcett
Chamber of Commerce
1700 Adams Ave., Ste 101
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Diane Pritchett
South Coast Metro Alliance
1631 W. Sunflower Avenue Suite C38
South Coast Metro, CA 92704
File: CCO20712gamges Date: 01/30/12 Time: 08:30 am
3
A GARAGE can only
be used for parking
vehicles and storage.
130
DON'T
Illegal conversion of a garage may create dangers:
• Fires may be caused through the improper installation of electrical wires
• Fires may occur through a lack of fire resistant construction materials.
• Fires may result from insufficient fire prevention systems and/or smoke alarms.
• Poor air quality from improper venting of water heaters
• Other health hazards may occur from the improper installation of plumbing.
• There is a lack of emergency exits or windows.
If you believe that someone has Costa Mesa
illegally converted their garage Development Services Department
to a living space, please contact 77 Fair Drive
Code Enforcement at (714) 754-5607 Costa Mesa, CQ 92625
www.costamesoca.gov
T-517
UNA COCHERA es solo para
estacionamiento de vehiculos
y para almacenamiento.
use
ADECUADO
use
INADECUADO
La convercion illegal de una cochera puede causar peligros:
• Cables electricos instalados inadecuadamente pueden provocar incendios.
■ Incendios pueden ocurrir par falta de matenales de construction resistentes al fuego.
• Incendios pueden resultar por falta de sistemas de prevention de incendios y de
alarmas de humo.
• Falta de ventilation de los calentadores de aqua pueden causar mal calidad de aire.
• Otros peligros de la salad pueden ocurrir por tuberia instalada inadecuadamente.
• Falta de salidas o ventanas de emergencia.
Si usted tree que alguien a
convertido su cochera ilegalmente
en un espacio habitable, favor de
Ilamar al Departamento de
Ejercimiento de Codigos (Code
Enforcement) a (714) 754-5607
Costa Mesa
Development Services Department
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
www.costamesuca.gov
n-517