Planning Commission backs $2,000 lot-consolidation fee waiver proposal to ease small infill projects

Staff told the Planning Commission the lot-consolidation incentive would waive the existing boundary adjustment fee "that fee is around $2,000," for developments that consolidate at least two lots and create at least two new units, a small incentive aimed at helping small projects or unbuildable slivers become developable. Clara Stanger, the planner presenting the package, said larger developments are unlikely to be swayed by this modest fee waiver, but that it could help "mom and pop" property owners combine tiny parcels to enable an ADU or other housing on constrained sites.

Commissioners pressed staff on how consolidation interacts with ADU and state laws including SB 9 and other streamlined allowances. Staff responded that consolidation does not itself change a parcel’s zoning density without rezoning and noted how ADU calculations can differ when lots are combined. The commission voted unanimously to forward the staff recommendation to City Council for further review and a first reading on Oct. 27.