Re "The 'Granny Unit' Option for a Rental-Squeezed L.A.," Opinion, June 1: Gregg Goldin fails to mention AB 1866, effective July 1, which is the recent attempt by the Legislature to correct the lack of rental housing in California. This bill mandates that all municipalities and counties ease restrictions on second units in residential areas (R-1) regardless of present zoning laws and without any public hearing. These units take only over-the-counter approval and can be rented to anyone, not just family members.
AB 1866 in effect takes away R-1 zoning restrictions from local ordinances. Any area without specific codes, covenants and restrictions prohibiting these units can have a second unit built without public knowledge beforehand. This bill allows the irresponsible homeowner to build a structure that could have an adverse effect on property values. I strongly urge that we withhold its implementation and rewrite it with local restraints.
