ORIGINALLY POSTED IN THE VENTURA COUNTY STAR
Mayor Pro Tem Carmen Ramirez defends the housing security for homeowners investing in our community and the availability of housing options for those on fixed incomes, her opponent does not.
From the article:
“Oxnard residents will likely see many more granny flats in their neighborhood, and there’s not much local officials can do about it.
New state guidelines on accessory dwelling units — sometimes commonly referred to as “granny flats” or in-law units — went into effect this year. The mandates pave the way for more of these secondary units to be constructed as a way to address the state housing crisis.
With the state lifting some of the restrictions on this type of housing, Oxnard has seen a significant uptick in applications. Before 2017, there wasn’t much interest in building these secondary units. The city received just one application in 2014.
Last year, the city received 50 applications and so far this year, the city has already received 68. Applications, however, do not necessarily mean these units get built. Of the 50 applications last year, just 13 received building permits and nine were built…
The state has eased parking requirements associated with these secondary units and has temporarily lifted a requirement for the owner to live at the property. Flynn said what the state has done is essentially turning single-family neighborhoods into multi-family neighborhoods. He said this paves the way for “ethically challenged” owners to pack renters in a unit…
Councilwoman Carmen Ramirez does not believe these mandates are disastrous. She said this is a way for fixed-income property owners to keep their home by renting it out to a relative or tenant.
“I would not paint these people with the same brush that they would be unethical,” Ramirez said. “I would ask you to be more optimistic about the folks who are building and investing in the city and in their homes.”
