Marin water district adopts rate, fee cuts for in-law units
By WILL HOUSTON | whouston@marinij.com |
The Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously this week to adopt rate and fee reductions for existing in-law units to promote affordable housing development under state law.
Several residents turned out to the board meeting on Tuesday to speak in favor of the changes and urged the board to continue its consideration of extending the cost reductions to new accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. The board plans to consider the water meter connection fee waiver for new construction in February.
Linda Jackson, an affordable housing advocate working with the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative and Aging Action Initiative among others, was among the speakers who praised the changes.
“I’m seeing you doing this today and I really have great hope for our county that we’re going to make a little difference for the folks, for our children who want to live here and families that want to be together and for younger families that want to live here,” Jackson told the board.
New state law under AB 881 signed in October prohibits water districts from requiring separate water meter connections as well as associated fee payments for existing ADUs that meet certain criteria. The waiver extends to conversions of existing accessory units such as detached garages and outbuildings that are converted into living spaces, according to board president Larry Bragman. The connection fees can costs thousands of dollars and deter people from proceeding with ADU development, which advocates say reduces the amount of affordable housing in a time where the state is facing a housing crisis.
The board plans to consider extending this fee and connection waiver to new construction of accessory dwelling units in early 2020, which would go beyond the state law. The idea was raised by Bragman at the board’s November discussion. In addition, director Armando Quintero suggested the board apply this waiver retroactively to accessory dwelling unit projects that are still in the process of construction. The board voiced general favor for this suggestion.
Staff is reviewing the proposal to determine if complies with the provisions of Proposition 218, which limits local governments’ ability to impose property-related fees and assessments.
The board also went beyond state law on Tuesday by reducing water rates for single-family residences with accessory dwelling units. Prior to Tuesday’s vote, the district charged single-family residences with ADUs the same rates as duplexes if the ADU is not connected to a separate meter. Rates charged for duplexes not only are slightly higher than those for single-family residences, but rate tier increases also occur with smaller increases in water use. The homes with ADUs would be charged the same rates as single-family residences under the ordinance. About 875 ratepayers will be affected by the change, according to district staff.
Greg Knell of San Rafael advocated for lowered rates for these properties while working with district staff over several months. Knell said he has been charged higher rates for almost 20 years because of his ADU.
“The builders of illegal units continued to enjoy much lower residential water rates,” Knell wrote in an email on Wednesday.
Director Cynthia Koehler was among the board members who enthusiastically supported the changes.
“I think it’s a good piece of legislation and I think we’re in a really good position to move forward with that locally and I’m glad we’ve done it so quickly,” Koehler said.