I support the grandfathering into compliance of the “Granny Flats” within the city of Ventura. One of the things that muddies the water is the report that the city has lost permits. If it’s not possible to prove who has a permit and who doesn’t then it’s difficult to enforce a lack of a permit anyway. Further, the modern energy requirements don’t seem to be a fair requirement based upon the tenancy of these dwellings. The whole goal of this is to create safe, affordable housing. I think we can stick to the “spirit” of the law rather than the “letter” of the law in this instance. If these units can be made safe with some modicum of energy efficiency provided by bringing them up to at least the codes in place at the time, then there is no downside. Since these units are already in place, bringing them up to some standard of code makes them safer, has zero net gain on use of services such as trash, water, sewage etc. It will serve to bring these tenants into compliancy with respect to fees as well. Free money for the City. Is there a downside? I’d like to hear what it is.
