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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1973-1491 (2)7,116/73 ORDINANCE N0. 1491 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING SECTIONS X5.401, 35.402 AND 35.404. OF ARTICLE 4 OF CHAPTER 35 OF THE CHULA VISTA CITY CODE ADOPTING A NEW SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION TAX, AND REQUIRING A CONVERSION TAX AT THE SAME RATE AS FOR MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING UNITS UPON THE CONVERSION OF APARTMENTS OR PROJECTS TO CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP. The City Council of the City of Chula Vista does ordain as follows SECTION I: That Sectior~ 35.401, 35.402 and 35.404 of Article 4, Chapter 35, of the Chula Vista City Code be, and are hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 35.401. Purpose and intent. 1. Tax Upon Construction of New Residential Units. It is intended that the residential construction tax shall be applicable to all new residential units, including hotels and motels, which, although considered as being commercial in nature, generate householders who impose a burden upon the public facilities of the City of Chula Vista. Said tax shall be paid by the person constructing said units if said person has not dedicated park lands or paid fees in lieu thereof as a condition of approval of a subdivision map. The City Council hereby declares that the fees required to be paid hereby are assessed pursuant to the taxing power of the City and solely for the purpose of producing revenue. The continued increase in the development of dwelling units in the City with the attendant increase to the population of the City has created an urgency in that there are insufficient funds available for the increased demand for capital items required to serve the increasing population of the City. 2. Tax Upon Conversion of Apartment Buildinas or Proiects to Ownership of Independent Units. To further the purpose of t e City Council to establish a tax upon the conversion of apartment buildings or projects to private ownership of independent units at the same tax rate set forth in the residential construction tax .schedule for multiple family dwelling units, it is recognized that the conversion of apartment buildings or projects in multiple family zones from single corporate or partnership ownership to condominium ownership or ownership pursuant to a subdivision of the property affords to purchasers of such condominiums or inde- pendent units a type of single family ownership status with a greater projected population density than that which would be allowable in the single family residential zones. Therefore it is the intent of the Council to require the payment of a residential conversion tax if the residential construction tax was not paid at the time of the construction of the multiple family dwelling unit or appropriate park lands were not dedicated, or in lieu fees were not previously paid at the time of the subdivision of the property, in order to support the demands placed upon public facilities and require- ments for improvement or recommendation of capital improvements as indicated hereinabove resulting from such conversion. - 1 - Sec. 35.402. Residential Construction Tax Schedule. 1. Every person constructing, erecting or placing any new dwelling units in the City of Chula Vista shall pay to the City a residential construction tax in accordance with the following schedule: Single Family Dwellings Attached, Cluster Housing of Planned Unit Developments under either Condominium or Subdivided Ownership Duplex Units Multiple Family Units Mobile Homes - $250.00 per unit plus $10.00 for each bedroom in excess of one bedroom - $220.00 per unit plus $10.00 for each bedroom in excess of one bedroom - $170.00 per unit plus $10.00 for each bedroom in excess of one bedroom - $140.00 per unit plus $10.00 for each bedroom in excess of one bedroom - $130.00 per unit plus $10.00 for each bedroom in excess of one bedroom Residential Hotels or Motels - $80.00 per unit with individual kitchen facilities Residential Hotels or Motels - $70.00 per unit without individual kitchen facilities Transient Hotels or Motels - $50.00 per unit For the purpose of implementing the above fee schedule, any rooms as shown on plans submitted by the subdivider, regard- less of their designation thereon, which may be used for bedroom purposes shall be regarded as a bedroom. 2. Such taxes shall be due and payable upon application to the City for a building permit for the construction of any such dwelling unit; provided, however, that there shall be a refund of such taxes in the event the building permit is not approved, or is not used, for such construction. 3. Further, the taxes for the conversion of ownership as indicated in subsection 2 of Section 35.401 shall be due and payable upon application to the City for a certificate of occupancy as specified in Sections 306 and 502 of the Uniform Building Code, 1970 edition, and as required for such conver- sion pursuant to Section 20.701 of the Chula Vista City Code, provided, however, that there shall be a refund of such taxes in the event that the apartment building or project is not ultimately converted to condominium or independent dwelling unit ownership. Sec. 35.404. Deposit of Funds. All of the sums collected pursuant to this ordinance shall be deposited in a Residential Construction/Conversion Fund in the Capital Projects Fund classification. SECTION II: This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force on the thirty-first day from and after its passage and approval. Presented Approved as to rm y ,.: Geo ge D. Lindberg, City A torney George Lindberg, City Attor AGENDA ITEM N0. [ ~~"] CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF: August 2'g, 1973 Ordinance ITEM TITLE: No. 1491 - Amending Sections 35.401 & 35.402 of Art. 4, Chapt. 35 of City Code Adopting New Schedule of Payments of the Residential ADOP~1'ED 11IVD APPROVED BY Tlil; CITY COUNCIL OF~ TIIE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, this 28th day of August , 1973, by the following vote, to-wit: A1ES : Coune~..~men Scott, Hobel, Hamilton~H~de NAYES : C o u-1 c.ti.Cm e ~t None ABSENT: • Counc~.~men Egdahl . ~ ,--.-_--.s--_.__~l~ - Mayo%~ o ~ xlie C.t.zy a 4 (,Kul' ~.~~ ~a ATTESTa,-.'~ ~ t ~ ~-« .. ' . ~! Cti~ y ' enlz r%' STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) .COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ) ss. CITY OF CHULA VISTA ), I, J~NNI~ b1o ~ULQSZ, C~.~y C.~e~f~ o~ the C~.~y o~ C6iu~'a V~:~~a, Ca.2.~~o~.n~,a, D~ H~R~By C~RTI~y ~ha~ ~lze above ar~d ~onego~.ng .t.o a ~u.~k, ~.-cu~. and co-~cnec~ cad y o ~ anal .that the name t2a~s nod been amended ;~n ne~eu.~ed. VAT~D: .czy ~~ntz ~: ~ , 1 AGENDA ITEM N0. [ -~4_ ] CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF: August 2'g, 1973 Ordinance ITEM TITLE: No. 1491 -Amending Sections 35.401 & 35.402 of Art. 4, Chapt. 35 of City Code Adopting New Schedule of Payments of the Residential Constr. Tax and Requiring a Conversion Tax Upon Conversion of Apartments or Pro]ects to Condominium Ownership - ISecond reading and adoption INITIATED ~Y: City Attorney aorurunrtNn A new schedule of taxes upon new residential construction and a conversion tax for condominiums has been provided by the Planning Department. The tax increase reflects increasing costs fob all capital improvements. The tax now also reflects a variable based upon the number of bedrooms in a dwelling unit. It also makes provision for taxes upon hotels or motels which also introduce additional people into the City, imposing a burden upon public facilities. A distinction is made between the residential hotel or motel, such as the senior citizens projects, and the transient hotel or motel, which is given a reduced rate. This ordinance was p laced on its first reading at the meeting of August 21, 1973. ATTACHED: Resolution [ ] Ordinance [ ] Agreement [ ] Plat [ ] See EXHIBITS [ ] No. Financial Statement: n/a Commission-Board Recommendation: n/a Department Head Recommendation: Place on second reading and adoption City Manager Recommendation: Recommend approval AGENpA ITEM N0. [21' ] CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF: August 21, 1973 ITEM TITLE: Ordinance - Amending Sections 35.401 & 35.402 of Art. 4, Chapt. 35 of the City Code, Adopting New Schedule of Payments of the Residential Constr. Tax and Requiring a Conversion Tax Upon Conversion of Apartments or Projects to Condominium Ownership - first reading INITIATED BY: City Attorney RACKGROiIND A new schedule of taxes upon new residential construction and a conversion tax for condominiums has been provided.by the Planning Department. The tax increase reflects increasing costs for all capital improvements. The tax now also reflects a variable based upon the number of bedrooms in a dwelling unit. It also makes provision for taxes upon hotels or motels which. also introduce additional people into the City, imposing a burden upon public facilities. A distinction is made between the residential hotel or motel, such as the senior citizens projects, and the transient hotel or motel, which is given a reduced rate. In accordance with administrative request, the ordinance has been amended to provide specifically for the creation of a residential construction/ conversion fund in the capital improvement fund classification. ATTACHED: Resolution [ ] Ordinance [X] Agreement [ ] Plat [ ] See EXHIBITS [X] No. 1 Financial Statement: n/ a Commission-Board Recommendation: n/ a Department Head Recommendation: Place on first reading. City Manager Recommendation: Approval C~.~c{ A~:~tann~.y: P~'enbe pnepane .~'!ce' nece.bbany (ne.bu~u.t,~un) un (ond~,lav,ci) • Staff Coirunentary on Acienda Item D1o, CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF September 5, 1972 Item Title: Ordinances (3} - See Below Initiated by: City Attorney Attached is a copy of Resolution [ ] Ordinance [ ] Agreement [ ] Plat ( ] Backnrowid: 1. Ordinance - Amending Section 34.201, Article 2, of Chapter 34 of the Chula Vista City Code Relating to Requirements for Undergrounding of Utilities - First Reading 2. Ordinance - Amending Section 33.901 of Article 9 of Chapter 33 of the Chula Vista City Code by Adding Thereto a new Subsection 37 Relating to Landscaping and Parking Requirements for Condo- minium Conversions - First Reading 3. Ordinance - Amending Sections 35.401 and 35.403 of Article 4 of Chapter 35 of the Chula Vista City Code Requiring the Payment of the Residential Construction Tax at the Rate for Multiple Family Dwelling Units upon the Conversion of Apartment Buildings or Projects to Condominium Ownership - First Reading For background information, see attached memo dated August. 8, 1972 from the City Attorney to the City Council regarding conversion of apartments to condominiums. See EXHIBITS [ ] No. ~~ Financial Statement: N/A Commission-Board Recommendation: N/A Department Head Recommendation: Place Ordinances on First Reading ~~~ City Manager Recommendation: A 113 (Send one. copy ~u: Ad m,i.n~b.tica~.~un; C~..ty C.~.en(z; C.i..ty A~.tunney, Dep.. -Ca'.y~~` ~'r. ' fv ~ (i ' .~ '+ r .. 1 rrr y.rY •!, Nyc ~,~" ~ '~L ir...l /,Irl.r Jpd !l: lTYI iT ITpI r ii/~ f ~ y . (~ %~ tt f„ ~' ~ :::fltl~....-.'~~!~: r r llY n< t' ~ ~ ~ !(It/1 ,~ ~ ftr ~r ~r~,Tt irPt i ~ ~~~~tll~+~~ 1 ~ y p.. f ~ ~ . ~ .. ..: V • `~:~t. R.i:.~ I ....._... . R i itt :Ie1V ~9 _._.. ~ ~_~ f' ~ ~ ~` ~ ! t,t~ 1 ':~ ' : I~ .'~R _!.~ .R, i y4 3 ~ ~.~ ~ r, ' ,~,e~i ~ ; ~ t ' ~~ ~.E'~ {tc~ -- ~i'~ ~~A} ' •a.17 ~s.v., ...... e .-+, ~ . ~- .. -mot ... _ .a.~-a:.L1 , ~ S .:~.>K.:. , ., ..:.~..eo.3. •.._. « E,4 c ~ l~-,My j A~~i.......~:~- •r ~ ~, wde. ia. J; . _..-. 1 OFFICE OF TIIE CITY ATTORt'EY (?iC~ o~ ~~~u~u. ~UisCc~ CALIFORNIA DATE: August 8, 1972 T0: The Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Chula Vista, John R. Thomson, City rlanager, and Bruce H. Warren, Director, of Planning FROM: George D. Lindberg, City Attorney SU~3JECT : CONVERSIOrd OF APARTMENTS TO CONDOMINIUMS On two occasions the City Council has been confronted with the necessity of reviewing and approving subdivision maps of already constructed apartments which are being converted to condominium ownership. Several questions have arisen which are apparently very troub7_esome to the City Council and investigation by this office indicates that similar concerns have been voiced in other communities. It :i.s essential that several matters be resolved since the probability is extremely strong that several other apartment buildings in the City of Chula Vista, within the immediate future, will be converted from a single or corporate ownership to a condominium form of owner- ship. In discussing this matter with rsr. Alan Perry, an attorney generally regarded as the leading real estate attorney in San Diego County, I am informed that Mr. Perry's firm alone has, within the past year, provided tYzc legal advice and assistance in more than a dozen of such conversions. The reasons are very•simple. Those persons who own apartment buildings or complexes find that they have substantial amounts of_ capital tied up in projects which could produce a greater return in different enterprises; however, because of the tremendous prices which they would demand for such buildings or complexes, it is very often impassible to o;~tain a buyer even after several years of placing such projects on the market. On the other hand, there is an increasing market for individual unit ownership; i.e. condominiums, and the conversion of such projects clearly is a profitable venture. Problems Created by Conversion to Condominiums Several members of the Council have expressed concern over the con- version of apartment buildings to condominiums based upon their apprehension for continued maintenance, prospective deterioration ira maintenance and a general feeling that the apartments, in fact, do not lend themselves to a condominium form of ownership. These feelings are not at all unusual. 27G l~uucth ;lvenuc, Chula Vista, CA 92010 (71~f) X27-3300 Conversion of Apartments to Condominiums August 8, 1972 Page Two In discussing this matter with the City Attorney and Planning Director of Torrance, California, I was informed that the initial reaction to the conversion of apartment buildings. to condominium ownership was precisely the same, however, they indicated that they had substantially changed their viecas regarding this and could 'not see any objections to the form of ownership. Distinction Between Standard Apartments And Condominiums ~~~ In March of 1971, the Council had raised the question concerning any possible distinction between condominiums and apartments. This office had previously indicated that there was essentially no differ- ence between condominiums and multiple family dwelling units since the whole issue is one of form of ownership and not in the physical layout. The law is quite clear that a condominium is a legally permissible method of o~-~nership. Any attempt to differentiate between projects being constructed in a multiple family zone based upon the method of ownership would, I .believe, be clearly unconstitutional. Further- more, any attempt to inhibit the conversion of already existing apart- ments to a condominium form of ownership would clearly constitute a restraint or alienata_on of the right of a property owner to legally dispose of his property in any manner he chooses. There are, of course, regulations and requirements that must be met as will be discussed hereinaf ter. 5ubd ivision Controls As pointed out in a League of California Cities Attorneys Paper prepared in 1968, the heart of the dilemma regarding condominiums relates to subdivision control.. The State Subdivision P1ap Act declares that a condominium is a subdivision. Based upon that assertion, some title companies, lending institutions and munici- palities have held that in all cases, whether new construction or conversion of existing buildings, a subdivision map must be filed. Several examples are of interest. In 1966, after the that language in the State law, ~i-~e City Attorney for Los Angeles ruled that condominiums were not subject adoption of the City of to the filing 3 Conversion of Apartments to Condominiums August 8, 1972 Page Three . of subdivision maps if, in fact, the property proposed for develop- ment had previously been subdivided and he refused to process sub- division maps. T_n 1972, that position has been substantially changed and the City of Las Angeles now adopts subdivision maps and imposes all cond~_tions relating to subdivision development, including park land dedication fees. As Council is aware, legislation was introduced which would specifically exempt such conversions wherein subdivision rnaps were filed from the park land dedication in lieu fee requirement. That bill is still in the local government committee. Further, the City of Los Angeles' Gity Council rejected local legislation to that .effect. However, as previously indicated, it shared by the .attorneys in the League the park land dedication requirements to the situation of the conversion of structures. As indicated hereinafter meat of condominiums are suggested. is the opinion of this office, of_ California Cities, that were never intended to reach a form of o~•rnership on existing alternate proposals for treat- Several of the lending institutions and title companies in San Diego County, up until last year, have insisted that a subdivision map was required both for the construction of new condominiums as well as conversion of existing apartment buildings. That position has been totally reversed, except in the case of FHA financing. FHA does require the filing of a subdivision map. Again, Mr. Alan Perry indicates that FF~A is not properly apprised of the law and he is confident that they could be persuaded to drop that requirement. The City Attorney in San Diego has ruled that no subdivision map is required if either (1) the new condominium or proposed conversion is being undertaken on property that is a lot of record, or (2) is a legal building site by virtue of existence prior to subdivision requirement. It is the opinion of both r~Ir. Perry and myself that that exemption is too broad and contrary to law. A subdivision map should be required unless the building site is already a lot of record. This now seems to be the majority point of view throughout the state. 'therefore, as in the case of the Continental Apartments, a subdivision map would not legally be required. In the case of the Tree Haven project, FHA has imposed that as a requirement. Conversion of Apartments to Condominiums August &, 1.972 Page Four ' Proposed Regulations of Condominium Conversions It has previously been noted that the City of Torrance, California has been presumed by many commentators to possess the most stringent regulations of condominiuz;z projects to be found. However, an examin- ation of the so-called condominium regulations of Torrance indicates that they simply have a planned unit development ordinance, similar to that which exists in our own `Coning Ordinance, but it makes specific reference to the condominium form of ownership. As this office has previously indicated, such a reference is meaningless; therefore, it is the opinion of this office that the City of Torrance in fact has no direct regulation of condominium projects and, as mentioned herein- above, it is not possible to impose differing regulations on condomin- iums than apartment buildings, insofar as zoning regulations such as floor area requirements, side yard requirements, etc. Regulations can and should be enforced in three areas primarily: 1. Undergrounding of Utilities. It is the opinion of this office that the imposition. of a requirement to underground utilities at the time of the conversion to a condominium project, subject to the same regulations as for any new construction, would be desirable primarily because of the probable acceptance of such a requirement as a desirable sales feature, as well as the public interest of early undergrpunding of all utility lines. 2. Park Land or Capital Improvement Fees Since a subdivision map is not legally required in the conversion of existing apartments to condominiums under the circumstances set forth above, park land fees could not be obtained and even where a subdivision map is filed, it was never intended that such dedication or in lieu fee require- ments be imposed. Therefore, it is recommended that the New Construction Tax Ordinance be amended to require payment of fees for the development of public facilities at the time the condominium form of o~,mership is instituted. 3. Landscaping and Parking. Special provisions should be imposed for landscaping and parking at the time of conversion to condominiums to insure that any deficiencies which may exist in older apartment developments are corrected. 3 Conversion of Apartments to Condominiums August ~, 1972 Page Five It should be noted tl7at none of these suggested regulations would be any different from regulations currently imposed upon new construction of rnultiple family dwellings or new construction of condominiums of any nature. Attached are proposed ordinance revisions. GDL: j ss Attachments w