On June 24 the Fremont City Council will be considering an ordinance that could lead to a ban on second-story additions.
Jeff Schwob, Fremont's Planning Director, briefed the Local Government Relations Council on this proposed ordinance at their May 27 meeting. This is a tricky subject for REALTORS®. On one hand, the ability to remodel a home - within applicable zoning and building codes - is a fundamental private property right. However, large-home additions in some Fremont neighborhoods may impact the value of neighboring properties. Bay East is working with the City to ensure that any ordinance that directs home remodeling provides for property rights protection while also maintaining quality neighborhoods.
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This is always a tough one. Some "renovations" are crazy with building height out of control and casting shadows over smaller homes. Others make sense for the neighborhood and property.
I could understand it if the neighborhood consisted of mainly single story homes but f a neighborhood has two story homes why would they stop this kind of remodelling? The city of Alameda has become a dictator and is causing many unreasonable ordinances lately too
Pam, I view the ability to remodel your home as a fundamental right. This includes adding a 2nd story. Yes, there are several conditions that might prevent you from a 2nd story addition like blocking views that would decrease values, etc. Not everyone can afford to "move up". Thank you for point this out. AJ
This is a tough issue. They could limit the size of the house depending on the size of the lot
Just to ban the second story does not really make sense.
All the best!
Very interesting, Pam. The council should arouse the attention of the homeowners because this is an extremely important issue for Fremont that has the potential to alter the ad valorem assessment profile.
One of the things that have happened in Fremont and other areas is people are buying petite homes and tearing them down and building monster homes in their place. They are dwarfing the existing homes and not quite fitting into the neighborhood. The good news is if enough of these monster homes are built on a street they increase values. It is a double edge sword.