The following is a wrap-up of the January 21 City Council meeting. You may view the complete agenda here as well as a video of the meeting here.
City Council approves new rate adjustment for Athens Services to comply with new green waste disposal laws
In a unanimous vote, the City Council approved a rate adjustment for Athens Services to help comply with a new green waste disposal law known as AB-1594.
Beginning on January 1, 2020, the law mandates that green waste can no longer be disposed of in the same way as was previously permitted. To fulfill the requirements of AB-1594, Athens will need to transport green waste to an organics composting facility in Victorville City to be processed and recycled. This additional transportation and processing - in turn - increases the costs of Athens’ operations and services.
The rate increase on Athens service bills will be identified as an AB-1594 compliance fee. There will be no changes to the residential trash pick-up services.
City Council reviews accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling unit zone text amendment
Back in October 2019, the state adopted multiple bills that redefined the development of accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units. Any ADU ordinance that is not in compliance with the amended state law becomes void on January 1, 2020.
As a result of the new state law, City staff introduced a new ordinance to amend zoning definitions and development standards to allow ADUs and junior ADUs in all zones that allow single or multi-family units.
You may read more about the new ordinance here.