Community Damage

Unfortunately, the City’s zoning ordinance does not provide adequate controls to support the vision laid out in the General Plan/Local Coastal Plan (For example, ”The City shall enhance community character with zoning regulations that limit height, size, and other issues to assure that new development occurs as part of a community pattern and character”).

More and more small- and medium-sized, older homes are being demolished and replaced with houses that we believe are much too large for their lots and their neighborhoods. This is happening all over town, but is especially evident in North Morro Bay, and other older neighborhoods where there are still many small, charming beach cottages - but those cottages, cherished by many as images of the spirit and character of Morro Bay, are disappearing.

Following are some examples of homes whose size, we believe, contrasts sharply with that of other homes in their neighborhoods, and with the neighborhood character in general. In some cases, their apparent size is even greater due to the fact that the grade on parts the building site was raised significantly. To our knowledge, all of them were constructed in complete compliance with current zoning. If our zoning regulations are not updated, we fear that soon, Morro Bay will not look like the town that the developers of the General Plan/Local Coastal Plan worked so hard to protect.

Several houses in a Morro Bay hillside neighborhood

These three two-story homes, are situated on average-sized Morro bay lots.

Houses in an older Morro Bay neighborhood.

Four homes on a narrow, winding street.

Two of a row of three identically-designed, newer houses, with older, smaller houses typical of the neighborhood in the background.

Not all large homes are “mismatched” with their neighborhoods. Following is an example of some very large homes that we believe work well in their surroundings. While these homes are among the largest in Morro Bay, they are on lots of suitable size, and do not cut off neighbors' light, air and views. They are located in an area where most homes are of comparable size, and they fit the character of their neighborhood.

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	Examples of What we are Concerned About
		Unfortunately, the City’s zoning ordinance does not provide adequate controls to support the vision laid out in the General Plan/Local Coastal Plan (For example, ”The City shall enhance community character with zoning regulations that limit height, size, and other issues to assure that new development occurs as part of a community pattern and character”). More and more small- and medium-sized, older homes are being demolished and replaced with houses that we believe are much too large for their lots and their neighborhoods. This is happening all over town, but is especially evident in North Morro Bay, and other older neighborhoods where there are still many small, charming beach cottages - but those cottages, cherished by many as images of the spirit and character of Morro Bay, are disappearing. Following are some examples of homes whose size, we believe, contrasts sharply with that of other homes in their neighborhoods, and with the neighborhood character in general. In some cases, their apparent size is even greater due to the fact that the grade on parts the building site was raised significantly. To our knowledge, all of them were constructed in complete compliance with current zoning. If our zoning regulations are not updated, we fear that soon, Morro Bay will not look like the town that the developers of the General Plan/Local Coastal Plan worked so hard to protect. Several houses in a Morro Bay hillside neighborhood These three two-story homes, are situated on average-sized Morro bay lots. Houses in an older Morro Bay neighborhood. Four homes on a narrow, winding street. Two of a row of three identically-designed, newer houses, with older, smaller houses typical of the neighborhood in the background. Not all large homes are “mismatched” with their neighborhoods. Following is an example of some very large homes that we believe work well in their surroundings. While these homes are among the largest in Morro Bay, they are on lots of suitable size, and do not cut off neighbors' light, air and views. They are located in an area where most homes are of comparable size, and they fit the character of their neighborhood. Return to home page