A. Purpose: In accordance with federal and state fair housing laws, it is the purpose of this section to allow for reasonable accommodations in the city's zoning and land use regulations, policies, and practices when reasonably necessary to provide an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.
B. Permit Application:
1. Applicant: Any person with a disability, his or her representative, or a developer or provider of housing for individuals with a disability may request for reasonable accommodation. The city shall approve a reasonable accommodation only for the benefit of one or more individuals with a disability.
2. Application: An application for a reasonable accommodation from a zoning regulation, policy, or practice shall be made on a form specified by the planning and building director. No fee shall be required for a request for reasonable accommodation, but the prescribed fees shall be paid for all other necessary discretionary permits.
3. Other Discretionary Permits: If the project for which the request for reasonable accommodation is made requires another discretionary permit or approval, then the applicant may file the request for reasonable accommodation together with the application for the other discretionary permit or approval. The processing procedures of the discretionary permit shall govern the joint processing of both the reasonable accommodation and the discretionary permit.
4. Required Submittals: In addition to materials required under other applicable provisions of this code, an application for reasonable accommodation shall include the following:
a. Documentation that the applicant is: 1) an individual with a disability; 2) applying on behalf of one or more individuals with a disability; or 3) a developer or provider of housing for one or more individuals with a disability;
b. The specific exception from or modification to the zoning code provision, policy, or practices the applicant is requesting;
c. Documentation that the specific exception or modification the applicant is requesting is necessary to provide one or more individuals with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the residence;
d. Any other information that the director reasonably concludes is necessary to determine whether the findings required by this section to approve a reasonable accommodation can be made, so long as any request for information regarding the disability of the individuals benefited complies with fair housing law protections and the privacy rights of the affected individuals.
C. Review Procedure: The planning commission shall review and approve, conditionally approve, or deny all applications for a reasonable accommodation subject to, the notice, hearing, and appeal procedures prescribed by this chapter for a conditional use permit.
D. Required Findings: The decision to approve, conditionally approve, or deny a request for a reasonable accommodation shall be made in writing and shall be based on the following findings, all of which are required for approval:
1. The requested accommodation is requested by or on the behalf of one or more individuals with a disability protected under the fair housing laws.
2. The requested accommodation is necessary to provide one or more individuals with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.
3. The requested accommodation will not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city as "undue financial or administrative burden" is defined in fair housing laws and interpretive case law.
4. The requested accommodation will not result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the city's zoning program, as "fundamental alteration" is defined in fair housing laws and interpretive case law.
5. The requested accommodation will not, under the specific facts of the case, result in a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals or substantial physical damage to the property of others.
E. Alternative Reasonable Accommodations: In making these findings, the planning commission, or city council on appeal, may approve alternative reasonable accommodations that provide an equivalent level of benefit to the applicant.
F. Consideration Factors - Necessity: The city may consider, but is not limited to considering, the following factors in determining whether the requested accommodation is necessary to provide one or more individuals with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling:
1. Whether the requested accommodation will affirmatively enhance the quality of life of one or more individuals with a disability;
2. Whether the individual or individuals with a disability will be denied an equal opportunity to enjoy the housing type of their choice absent the accommodation;
3. In the case of a residential care facility, whether the requested accommodation is necessary to make facilities of a similar nature or operation economically viable in light of the particularities of the relevant market and market participants; and
4. In the case of a residential care facility, whether the existing supply of facilities of a similar nature and operation in the community is sufficient to provide individuals with a disability an equal opportunity to live in a residential setting.
G. Consideration Factors - Fundamental Alteration To Zoning Program: The city may consider, but is not limited to considering, the following factors in determining whether the requested accommodation would require a fundamental alteration in the nature of the city's zoning program:
1. Whether the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the character of the neighborhood;
2. Whether the requested accommodation would result in a substantial increase in traffic or insufficient parking;
3. Whether the requested accommodation would substantially undermine any express purpose of either the city's general plan or an applicable specific plan; and
4. In the case of a residential care facility, whether the requested accommodation would create an institutionalized environment due to the number of and distance between facilities that are similar in nature or operation.
H. Rules While Decision Is Pending: While a request for reasonable accommodation is pending, all laws and regulations otherwise applicable to the property that is the subject of the request shall remain in full force and effect.
I. Effective Date: No reasonable accommodation shall become effective until the decision to grant such accommodation shall have become final by reason of the expiration of time to make an appeal. In the event an appeal is filed, the reasonable accommodation shall not become effective unless and until a decision is made by the city council on such appeal.
J. Expiration: Any reasonable accommodation approved in accordance with the terms of this chapter shall expire within twenty four (24) months from the effective date of approval or at an alternative time specified as a condition of approval unless:
1. A building permit has been issued and construction has commenced;
2. A certificate of occupancy has been issued;
3. The use is established; or
4. A time extension has been granted.
K. Time Extension: The planning commission may approve a single one year time extension for a reasonable accommodation for good cause. An application for a time extension shall be made in writing to the director no less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. The request for an extension shall be subject to the same notice, hearing, and appeal requirements applicable to the original application.
L. Violation Of Terms: Any reasonable accommodation approved in accordance with the terms of this code may be revoked if any of the conditions or terms of such reasonable accommodation are violated, or if any law or ordinance is violated in connection therewith. Revocation of a reasonable accommodation shall be subject to the same notice, hearing, and appeal requirements applicable to the original application.
M. Discontinuance: A reasonable accommodation shall lapse if the exercise of rights granted by it is discontinued for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days. If the persons initially occupying a residence vacate the residence, the reasonable accommodation shall remain in effect only if the planning director determines that: 1) the modification is physically integrated into the residential structure and cannot easily be removed or altered to comply with the zoning code, or 2) the accommodation is necessary to give another disabled individual an equal opportunity to reside in the dwelling. The director may request the applicant or his or her successor in interest to the property to provide documentation that subsequent occupants are persons with disabilities. Failure to provide such documentation within ten (10) days of the date of a request by the city shall constitute grounds for discontinuance by the city of a previously approved reasonable accommodation.
N. Amendments: A request for changes in conditions of approval of a reasonable accommodation, or a change to plans that would affect a condition of approval shall be treated as a new application. The director may waive the requirement for a new application if the changes are minor, do not involve substantial alterations or addition to the plan or the conditions of approval, and are consistent with the intent of the original approval. (Ord. 0-12-1264, 5-25-2012)