City Council Meeting Wrap-Up

The council gave preliminary approval, 5 to 0, to new definitions of "major remodel" and "kitchen" to be added to the zoning ordinance and amendments to sections of the municipal code that conflict with the proposed definition of "major remodel."

A second hearing is required for enactment.

WHAT IT MEANS

"We are trying to plug up a loophole in the ordinance," Montgomery said. The current definition of "kitchen" is vague and often difficult to enforce and needs to be clarified, he said. Under the proposed new definition of "major remodel," three thresholds would individually trigger the designation:

•Demolition, removal or reconstruction of 50% or more of the existing, above grade exterior wall area;

•Demolition, removal and/or reconstruction of 50% or more of existing floors, not including decks, combined with the roof framing system, not including eaves;

•One-or-more additions to the existing structure within any consecutive three-year period that increases the square footage by 50% or more.

Additions to existing buildings that do not create a structure that exceeds a total of 1,500 square feet are exempt.

Exemptions also include replacement or upgrades to meet earthquake, flood-proofing, energy or California Building Code accessibility requirements; filling in existing window and door openings, foundation repair and replacement of roof coverings that add no expansion.

The definition does not include interior walls.

—Compiled by Barbara Diamond