Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - ORD 94 6 (2)NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: 7517;(e3 34111;1 i. AGENDA REPORT Ci{y Manager Approval March 22, 1994 Urgency Ordinance No. 94-6 Community Development Item to be presented by: Lynn M. Harris The January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake and following aftershocks caused extensive damage to residential structures and mobilehomes throughout the City. Over 100 residential structures have been ordered vacated due to non -habitability and over 1,700 mobilehomes have been dislocated from their pads, resulting in substantial residential displacement. Over 1,500 residents have camped in local parks, parking lots and shelters, and over 2,000 residents have taken refuge in hotels and with friends and relatives. Councilwoman JoAnne Darcy has requested that the City Council consider adoption of an urgency ordinance prohibiting the eviction of tenants for non-payment of rent on uninhabitable structures and mobilehomes. The City Attorney has drafted such an ordinance (attached), based upon a similar ordinance recently adopted by the City of Los Angeles. ANALYSIS The proposed urgency ordinance would prohibit the eviction of tenants for non-payment of rent during the period beginning January 17, 1994 and ending February 28, 1994, if these tenants were unable to occupy their residential structures or mobilehomes. (This ordinance would apply only to those residential structures and mobilehomes rendered untenantable as defined in Civil Code Section 1941.1, or as declared by the Building and Safety Division of the Department of Community Development; and rendered untenantable specifically as a result of the January 17, 1994 Earthquake and/or following aftershocks). RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Council: 1. Receive public Input; and 2. Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 94.6. GAC:KMK coun&IW.Mr 6.kmk Adopted:3 � Ages a Item: -� ORDINANCE NO. 94-6 AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NECESSITATED BY THE DECLARED LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATING TO THE JANUARY 17, 1994 NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE, TEMPORARILY RESTRICTING CERTAIN EVICTIONS FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN TEMPORARY DEFENSES TO EVICTION NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. A tenant of a unit of residential property shall not be evicted for the non- payment of rent which occurred during any period from January 17,1994 through February 28, 1994 if: (1) it was rendered untenantable as defined In Civil Code Section 1941.1 as a result of the January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake or any aftershocks, or (2) it has been declared untenantable by the Building and Safety Division of Community Development Department as a result of the Earthquake and/or aftershocks. SECTION 2. Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 1 above to the contrary, a tenant of a manufactured home park shall not be evicted for the non-payment of rent which occurred during any period from January 17, 1994 through February 28, 1994 if; (1) the rental relates to both the pad and the coach; and (2) the tenant did not occupy the manufactured home because the manufactured home was rendered untenantable during the period of non-payment as a result of the January 17, 1994 Earthquake and/or any aftershocks. If the rental relates only to the pad, then neither this section nor Section 1 shall apply. SECTION 3. In unlawful detainer actions under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1162 et seq., it shall be a defense that the owner acted In violation of Sections 1 or 2 of this Ordinance. SECTION 4. Urgency Clause. The City Council finds and declares that this Ordinance is required for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety of its citizens. The City has been severely impacted by the 6.8 magnitude Earthquake which occurred early in the morning of January 17, 1994 and the following aftershocks. The impact on multi -family dwellings and the City's affordable housing stock has been severe, and the resulting residential displacement is enormous. Over 100 residential structures have been ordered vacated, and approximately 1,700 mobilehomes were dislocated from their pads. Over 1,500 residents have camped in local parks, parking lots and shelters, and over 2,000 residents have taken refuge in hotels or with friends or relatives. The status of these temporarily displaced tenants must be clarified. Therefore, this Ordinance shall become effective immediately pursuant to Government Code Sections 36934 and 36937. URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 94-6 Page 2 SECTION 5. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause it to be published in the manner prescribed bylaw. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of March, 1994. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Donna M. Grindey, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing Ordinance was regularly introduced and adopted as an Urgency Ordinance at the meeting of the City Council on the 22nd day of March, 1994, by the following vote, to wit AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: City Clerk GAC:KMK davis.ordpg.gmd