Santa Monica's Planning Commission Supports Plan to Make Building 'Granny Flats' Easier

SANTA MONICA, CA -- The Santa Monica's Planning Commission has tentatively supported a plan to modify the zoning ordinance to allow for "granny flats" in the city, the Santa Monica Lookout reported.

The plan is seen as a way to address the affordable housing crunch in Santa Monica. There were some concerns about the impact on parking in city, but the Commission supported the plan anyhow to match a state law that relaxes restrictions on "accessory dwelling unit" in the backyards or garages of single-family homes, according to the Lookout.

Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom's bill was one of the bills Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law in September to make granny flats easier to build in California.

The City Council still must make the final approval.

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