Del Mar residents seeking disability-related modifications to their homes or businesses would face a simpler approval process under ordinances the City Council introduced Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The three measures, covering Housing Element Programs 7F, 4A and 4B, update the city's zoning code to align with state law on disability accommodations, special-needs housing and emergency shelters. The council took up the ordinances at its regular meeting at Del Mar Town Hall.

The Aug. 25 action was a first reading. Final adoption is scheduled for the council's Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

What changes for residents

Program 7F creates a new chapter in the municipal code for reasonable accommodations. Under the current system, property owners who need exceptions to development standards for disability access must go through the Administrative Design Review process. The new ordinance replaces that with a standalone procedure the city describes as more streamlined and consistent with state law.

Both residential and commercial property owners could request accommodations for themselves or their tenants.

Programs 4A and 4B tackle a broader set of housing types. Program 4A covers adult and child day care centers and licensed care facilities serving residents who cannot live independently. The council's agenda report said the amendments clarify how state-regulated facilities fit under Del Mar's certified Local Coastal Program.

Program 4B addresses emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing and low-barrier navigation centers. A previously adopted city ordinance already permits emergency shelters in the North Commercial zone; the new rules bring the city's code in line with those existing permissions.

Path to adoption

The Del Mar Planning Commission reviewed the proposed amendments at its July 14 meeting and was asked to forward a recommendation to the council. Staff determined the changes fall under the environmental review the council certified in October 2020 for the city's 6th Cycle Housing Element and would not create new significant environmental effects.

After the council votes on final adoption Sept. 8, the Local Coastal Program Amendment portion will still need certification from the California Coastal Commission before it takes effect in the coastal zone.

The ordinances are part of Del Mar's broader push to meet its 6th Cycle Housing Element targets. The city must plan for 175 dwelling units by 2029, with at least 113 reserved for low-income households. As of May 19, Del Mar had reached 135 units, or 77% of its goal, according to city housing data. Most fell in the moderate- and above-moderate-income categories.

Mayor Tracy Martinez, Deputy Mayor John W. Spelich and Councilmembers Terry Gaasterland and Dan Quirk were listed on the Aug. 25 meeting agenda. The individual vote count was not available in published records as of Aug. 31.

The Sept. 8 council meeting is the next scheduled opportunity for public comment on the ordinances.