The Corona del Mar Residents Association has created a survey seeking members’ opinions and knowledge about recommended changes in the city’s Zoning Code, and how those could affect the Flower Streets.
The survey, which can be found here, must be turned in by Sept. 7. The results will be tabulated by an independent research company.
The CdMRA’s president could testify about the results at the Sept. 14 City Council study session, when council members are expected to review proposed changes in the Zoning Code. Agendas are not yet public, but the CdMRA website indicates that the topic will be discussed in the 3:30 p.m. Study Session.
“”Over the years CdMRA has conducted successful resident outreach programs throughout Corona del Mar on the Zoning Code,” said Karen Tringali, president of the CdMRA. “Our results, coupled with the City’s recent outreach efforts, had a direct impact on city staff’s latest zoning code recommendations. This survey highlights these recent changes and seeks to validate community consensus on the latest proposals.”
Changes in the Zoning Code are being considered in order to bring the code into alignment with changes adopted in the city’s General Plan four years ago. City officials have been holding meetings and public hearings for years, but this summer the Corona del Mar group began to study the impact of the changes, which include spelling out floor area ratio (FAR), height restrictions and open space requirements. This summer, the CdMRA board voted to write a letter outlining the results of an earlier resident survey and asked that Corona del Mar specifically be allowed to retain its existing FAR; read the story here. At the time, board members conveyed residents’ concern that the Zoning Code changes could allow larger homes to be built on the Flower Street’s lots, destroying the area’s “seaside village” charm.
The survey asks whether the term “seaside garden village” is an appropriate description of Corona del Mar, as well as questions about whether Zoning Codes should protect the rights of property owners more than neighborhood aesthetics.
The survey also asks questions about how well respondents understand the current code and the proposed changes. The current code limits home size to 1.5 times the buildable lot size, and garage space is currently included in home size calculation. For single-family homes, a one-car enclosed garage and one carport are required; basements with seven feet or more of height are included in the home-size calculation; and visual mass above ground is regulated by open-space requirements.
The proposed Zoning Code also limits home size to 1.5 the times buildable lot size; garage space would also be included in the home size calculation. Single-family homes are required to have a two-car enclosed garage; homes greater than 4,000 square feet are required to have a three-car enclosed garage. The new code allows for a basement that is equal to the buildable lot size, and it is not included in the home-size calculation. The new code includes building requirements that are designed to create less perceived visual mass above ground, the survey states.
The City Council Study Session will take place in Council Chambers at 3300 Newport Blvd. The meeting is open to the public, and members of the public are welcome to speak. The meeting also will be video streamed live on the city’s website.
