HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD Clarification of Objective Design Standards PPTObjective Design
Standards
City Council
March 18, 2024
Citywide, File No: P18-009 Item 6.a
Context & Background
•In response to State legislation intending to stimulate housing production, local jurisdictions may only apply Objective Design Standards.
•Objective Design Standards apply a clear, objective, and quantifiable standard.
•City’s current policy documents contain many subjective guidelines.
Item 6.a
•City needs to clarify its existing design standards
for certain housing projects to make them
“objective” and therefore applicable under these
new laws.
•ODS will apply to mixed use, single-family, multi-family and
duplex housing projects.
•ODS will be a companion document to be used with
current City planning and zoning regulations.
•General Plan 2040 implementation program calls for a
Citywide Zoning Ordinance update.Item 6.a
Site Planning & Layout Building Design &
Architecture
Open Space &
Landscape Lighting
Overview
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a
public hearing and adopt a resolution adopting
objective design standards for certain residential
development projects.
Item 6.a
Recommendation
Item 6.a
ODS: Highlights (open space & landscape)
Useable Outdoor Space
Quantity of Useable Open Space required shall be as shown in San Rafael Municipal Code Table
14.04.040 for the underlying zoning district. In zoning districts without a standard in Table
14.04.040, the minimum standard shall be 100 square feet per dwelling unit.
4. Balconies.
(a) A maximum of 50 percent of the total required usable open space area may be satisfied by
balconies.
(b) A balcony must have a minimum clear width and length of 6 feet.
(c) At least one exterior side must be open and unobstructed except for required railings.
Storm water pollution prevention standards
Compliance with storm water pollution prevention standards (MCSTOPP). Required engineered
storm water treatment facilities shall not be in areas that are counted toward meeting the
minimum common open space requirements
Item 6.a
ODS: Highlights (site planning & layout)
Windows and Privacy
When a new residential development is abutting an existing residential building, windows in the
new structure that are within 10 feet vertically or horizontally of facing residential bedroom
windows or private open space shall have opaque or translucent glazing at or below 5 feet above
finished floor or be offset a minimum of 5 feet horizontally (as measured by nearest edge of
existing facing window).
Parking Garage
Parking garage and other service, utility, and loading entries shall be accessed from side streets or
rear alleys, where they exist. All parking shall be located on the rear half of a lot. Any parking
visible from the public right-of-way, shall be screened by continuous landscaping, or other
architectural features (i.e., mesh screening, etc.).
Item 6.a
ODS: Highlights (design & architecture)
Facades/Massing
For every 50 feet of building length, there shall be a plane-break along the facade no less than 10
feet in length, which shall extend from grade to the highest story. For every 100 feet of building
length, the plane break will have at least five feet of depth.
Colors and Reflective Materials
2. Buildings shall include the same colors and materials on all elevations. At least one accent color
is required to appear on all elevations.
5. Fluorescent, iridescent, or metallic paints are prohibited.
Item 6.a
ODS: Highlights (lighting)
All lighting sources shall be shielded from view from the public right of way and from neighboring
properties. Exterior lights shall produce with no indirect light extending 5 ft. beyond a property
line. Exterior lights shall not be placed higher than the height of the principal structure. Exterior
lights placed more than 6 ft high shall have a maximum angle of direct illumination of 60 degrees.
Exterior lights shall be rated for 4500 Kelvins or fewer. A photometric study shall be submitted as
part of a planning application.
ODS: Highlights 9
All lighting sources shall be shielded from view from the public right of way and from neighboring
properties. Exterior lights shall produce with no indirect light extending 5 ft. beyond a property
line. Exterior lights shall not be placed higher than the height of the principal structure. Exterior
lights placed more than 6 ft high shall have a maximum angle of direct illumination of 60 degrees.
Exterior lights shall be rated for 4500 Kelvins or fewer. A photometric study shall be submitted as
part of a planning application. Lighting