West Covina : Council OKs Housing Limit
The City Council on Monday tentatively approved an ordinance to tighten regulations on building second units on lots zoned for single-family homes.
The changes would impose a size limit of 640 square feet for second units and would require that the property owner occupy at least one of the units.
Councilman Brad McFadden dissented in the 4-1 vote, arguing that a maximum of 800 square feet was preferable. He added that he didn’t believe in restricting property rights.
The Planning Commission initiated the revisions in July. “People were building normal-sized homes, sometimes bigger than existing homes,” Planning Assistant Brad Dunlap said. Planning Director Patricia Haley said in a report that neighbors were increasingly concerned about noise, traffic and loss of privacy.
Last year, the city received seven requests to build second units and has received one this year. The council will vote again on the ordinance March 12. If approved, the law would take effect 30 days later.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
