City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
Objective Design Standards Checklist
The Objective Design Standards Checklist is a tool to evaluate a project’s compliance with the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 18.24). The Checklist is not the Zoning Ordinance. Applicants shall be responsible for meeting the standards in the Zoning Ordinance. To simplify evaluation of the Zoning Ordinance, language in the Checklist may vary from the Zoning Ordinance. (Note: sf = square feet) If a standard is not applicable to applicant’s project, please write N/A in Applicant’s Justification column.
18.24.020 Public Realm/Sidewalk Character
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(1) Sidewalk Widths
(A) In the following districts, public sidewalk width (curb to back of walk) is at least:
•Commercial Mixed-Use District: CN, CS, CC, CC(2), CD-C, CD-S, CD-N, PTOD: 10 ft •El Camino Real: 12 ft
•San Antonio Road, from Middlefield Road to East Charleston Road: 12 ft And consists of:
Does not apply (RM-30 Zone
District and not any of these
streets (despite the address,
frontage is on Los Robles)
Pedestrian clear path width of 8 foot minimum: ______ feet ☐
Landscape or furniture area width of 2 foot minimum: ______ feet ☐
If the existing public sidewalk does not meet the minimum standard, a publicly accessible extension of the sidewalk, with corresponding public access easement, shall be provided.
☐
(B) Public sidewalks or walkways connecting through a development parcel (e.g. on a through lot with a public access easement, leading to a commercial entry) must be at least 6 feet wide.
Not applicable; not a through
Lot
(C) The width of walkways designed to provide bicycle access (e.g. pathway to bike racks/lockers) must be at least 12 feet wide, consisting of: Complies Pedestrian clear path width (8 feet min.): 8’2”☒
Clear space/buffer – (2 feet min. on each side of path): 3’11”ft & 4’ ft A1.10A Walkways meeting requirement
provided from sidewalk to bike
racks
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☒
(B)Primary building entries shall provide at least one seating area or bench within 30 feet of building entry and/or path leading to building entry. On arterials (see Map T-5), except Downtown, seating areas or benches shall not be located between the sidewalk and the curb; OR
A2.10
Courtyard seating is located
wihin 30 feet of the path leading
to the primary building entry
Pick One
☐ Existing seating areas or benches that are already located in the public right-of-way within 50 feet of the building entry.
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(B)(2) Street Trees
1. One street tree provided for every 30 linear feet of public sidewalk length and located within six feet of the sidewalk. L0.03
Sufficient number of trees
provided along Los Robles
streetscape
a. Length of parcel frontage/public sidewalk length: 581’ 4”ft b. Street Trees required (i.e. frontage/30 feet): 19 trees ☒
c. Street Trees provided: 22 trees
(B)(3) Accent Paving
Parcels abutting University Avenue between Alma Street and Webster include accent paving along the project frontages, as indicated below: Not Application •Brick paving at corners ☐
•Brick trim mid-block
☐ Parcel abutting California Avenue between El Camino Real and Park Blvd include decorative glass accent paving along project frontages Not Applicable (B)(4) Mobility Infrastructure
☒
(A) On-site micromobility infrastructure (e.g. bike racks/lockers) is located within 30 feet of the primary building entry and/or on a path leading to the primary building entry; OR
A0.11
Proposed short-term bike racks
are within a path leading to the
primary building entry
Pick One☐ Existing micromobility infrastructure (e.g. bike racks/lockers) is already located within 50 feet of project site and located in a public right-of-way.
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
18.24.030 Site Access
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(1) Through Lot Connections
☐
Through lots located more than 300 feet from an intersecting street or pedestrian walkway shall provide a publicly accessible sidewalk or pedestrian walkway (with public access easements) connecting the two streets.
Not Applicable, not a through lot
(b)(2) Building Entries
☐
Primary Building Entries shall be located from a public right-of-way. If there is no public right-of-way adjacent to the building, entries shall be located from a private street or Pedestrian Walkway.
A1.10A
Primary building entry accessed
from a short walkways leading
from the public ROW
(b)(3) Vehicle Access
☐ (A) Vehicle access shall be located on alleys or side streets when they abut the property.
Not Applicable, no alleys
adjacent site
☐
(B) Except for driveway access and short-term loading spaces (e.g. taxi), off-street parking, off-street vehicle loading (delivery trucks), and vehicular circulation areas are prohibited between the building and primary building frontage.
A1.10
No parking or circulation area is
located between the building
frontage and street.
(b)(4) Loading Docks and Service Areas
Loading and service areas shall be integrated into building and landscape design and located to minimize impact on the pedestrian experience as follows:
☒ (A) Loading docks and service areas shall be located on façades that do not face a primary building frontage A0.13
Trash staffing area is located at
the rear of the building, with
trash pickup planned along an
internal street
☒
(B) Loading docks and service areas located within setback areas shall be screened by a solid fence, or wall, or dense landscaping and separated from pedestrian access to the primary building entry to avoid impeding pedestrian movement/safety.
A0.13
There are no loading docks or
service area located within
setback areas. Trash is at the
rear of the building.
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
18.24.040 Building Orientation and Setbacks
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(1) Building Corner Elements (less than 40 feet in height) Corner buildings less than 40 feet in height and end units of townhouses (all end units) or other attached housing products that face the street shall include all of the following features on their secondary building frontage (where B is the primary frontage):
(A) height and width of corner element shall have a ratio greater than 1.2:1. a. Secondary building frontage height: 36 feet
b. Secondary building frontage length: 22 feet
☐
c. Secondary building frontage height to width ratio: ~28 A3.10
(B) minimum of 15 percent fenestration area.
a. Total secondary building frontage façade area: 6286 sf b. Secondary building frontage façade fenestration area: 1532sf ☐
c. Percent of fenestration area __24.4___ %
Check All
☐ (C) At least one facade modulation with a minimum depth of 18 inches and a minimum width of two feet.
Complies
(b)(2)(A) & (B) Treatment of Buildings Corners on Corner Lots (40+ feet in height) Corner Buildings 40 feet or taller in height shall include at least one of the following special features:
A. Street wall is located at the minimum front yard setback or build-to line for a minimum aggregated length of 40 feet on both facades meeting at the corner and includes one or more of the following building features:
☐ i. An entry to ground floor retail or primary building entrance located within 25 feet of the corner of the building.
☐ ii. A different material application and/or fenestration pattern from the rest of the façade.
Check One or More
within A or B
☐ iii. A change in height of at least 4 feet greater or less than the height of the adjacent/abutting primary façade.
Ch
eck
On
e
or
Mo
re
wit
hin
A
or
BB. An open space with a minimum dimension of 20 feet and minimum area of 450 square feet. The open space shall be at least one of the following Not Applicable, less than 40
feet in height
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐ i. A publicly accessible open space/plaza.
☐ ii. A space used for outdoor seating for public dining. ☐
iii. A residential Common Open Space adjacent to a common interior space (i.e. lobby, retail, etc.) and less than two feet above adjacent sidewalk grade.
Fences and railing shall be a minimum 50% open/transparent. (b)(3) Primary Building Entry
The primary building entry meets at least one of the following standards:
☐ A. Faces a public right-of-way.
☒ B. Faces a publicly accessible pedestrian walkway. A0.14 Primary building entry faces a
publicly accessible pedestrian
walkway connected to the
sidewalk
C. Is visible from a public right-of-way through a forecourt or front porch that meets the following standards:
i. For residential buildings with fewer than seven units, building entry forecourts or front porch minimum dimensions of (min. 36 sf and min. dimension of 6 feet required): ___ sf and ___ ft. min. dimension Check One or More☐
ii. For commercial buildings or residential buildings with seven or more units, building entry forecourts or front porch minimum dimensions of (min. 100 sf and a min. width of 8 feet required): 100 sf and 8’2” min. width
A0.14
Primary building entry is
located off of a forecourt of
the specified size
(b)(4) Ground Floor Residential Units
A. Finished Floor Height for Ground Floor Units
☐
The finished floor of ground floor residential units, when adjacent to a public right-of- way, must be within the minimum and maximum heights according to setback distance from back of walk identified in Figure 2a and 2b of the Zoning Ordinance. Calculate minimum ground floor finished floor height:
A0.14 0 feet required
C
h
e
c
k
A
ll
t
h
a
t
A
p
p
l
y☐ Setback adjacent to public right of way: 20 feet
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐
Minimum ground floor finished floor height: 0_ feet
𝒚 = ―
𝟒 𝟏𝟓 (𝒙) + 𝟏𝟔
𝟑 where 𝑥 = setback length from back of walk, in feet
and 𝑦 = ground floor finished floor height, in feet
☐ Sites with slopes greater than 2% along building façade – Average height of finished floor: _____ feet
☐ Sites located in flood zones – the minimum ground floor finished floor height shall be defined by FEMA, less flood zone elevation: _____ feet B. Setback Trees
Ground floor units with a setback greater than 15 feet must have at minimum an average of one tree per 40 linear feet of facade length, within the setback area.
Setback length: 30 feet
Amount of linear frontage: 25 feet
Trees required: 1 tree
☐
Trees provided: 1 tree
A1.10
One tree provided in setback
area at los robles avenue
along the single ground floor
2BR frontage
C and D. Front Setback
☒ C. Ground floor residential entries are setback a minimum of 10 feet from the back of public sidewalk; OR A1.10A
Building setback 30 feet; no
ground floor entries facing the
street
Pick One☐ D. Where no minimum building setback is required, all ground floor residential units must be set back a minimum 5 feet from back of public sidewalk.
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
E. Unit Entry
☐
A minimum 80% of ground floor residential units that face a public right-of-way or publicly accessible path, or open space shall have a unit entry with direct access to the sidewalk, path, or open space for minimum.
Concession requested under
state density bonus law
Ground units designed to have
internal access-see
justifications for reasoning
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
a. Total number of ground floor residential units facing a public right-of-way, publicly accessible path, or open space: 0 units
b. 80% of total units in (a): ____ units
c. Subset of number of units in (a) that have a unit entry with direct access to the sidewalk, path, or open space: ____ entries
(b)(5) Front Yard Setback Character
Required setbacks provide a hardscape and/or landscaped area to create a transition between public and private space. The following standards apply, based on intended use and exclusive of areas devoted to outdoor seating, front porches, door swing of building entries, and publicly accessible open space and meet the following:
(A). Ground-floor retail or retail like uses have a minimum of 10% of the required setback as landscape or planters. A0.14
Property management office
is the only retail-like use at
the ground floor along the
street frontage
i. Minimum setback area (setback x frontage x 10%): 66.5 sf ☒
ii. Landscape or planter area in required setback: 359.4 sf (B). Ground-floor residential uses have a minimum of 60% landscaped area in the required setback area. A0.14
Only one ground floor unit has
street frontage along Los
Robles Avenue
i. Minimum setback area (setback x frontage x 60%): 375 sf Check All that Apply☒
ii. Landscape area in required setback: 500 sf
(b)(6) Side Yard Setback Character
(A) Each detached dwelling unit shall have at least one usable side yard, at least six feet wide, between the house and fence or other structure, to provide outdoor passage between the front and rear yards.
Not Applicable
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
18.24.050 Building Massing
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(1) Upper Floor Step Backs and Daylight Planes
(A) When the height of the subject building is more than 20 feet above the average height (i.e. average of low and high roof elevations) of an adjacent building(s), an upper floor step back shall start within two vertical feet of the average height of the adjacent building. The step back shall be a minimum depth of six feet along both the façade on the primary building frontage and the façade facing the adjacent building, and the step shall occur for a minimum of 70% of each façade length.
i. Proposed building height: _____ feet
ii. Average building height of the adjacent building(s): _____ feet ☐
iii. Building height where upper floor step back begins: ____ feet ☐ (B) Notwithstanding, subsection (A), when adjacent to a single-story building, the upper floor step back shall occur between 33 and 37 feet in height.
Not applicable since the subject
building is not 20 feet taller than
the average height of the
adjacent building
☐
(C) If a project meets the following criteria, a daylight plane with an initial height of 25 feet above grade at the property line and a 45-degree angle shall be required. This daylight plane is required if all of these criteria are met:
i. The project is not subject to a daylight plane requirement, pursuant to district regulations in Title 18; and
ii. The project proposes a building which is more than 20 feet above the average height (i.e., average of low and high roof elevations) of an adjacent building(s); and
iii. The project abuts residential units in the side or rear yard.
Daylight plane requirement as
per zoning only applies to rear
property line and interior side
yard property line
(b)(2) Privacy and Transitions to Residential Uses
When a building abuts a residential use on an interior side and/or rear property line, the building shall break down the abutting façade and maintain privacy by meeting all of the following:Ch ec
k
All☐ (A) Landscape Screening. A landscape screen that includes a row of trees with a minimum one tree per 25 linear feet and continuous shrubbery planting. This L4.11,
L4.12
Continuous planting area shown
along interior side and rear
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
screening plant material shall be a minimum 72 inches (6 feet) in height when planted. Required trees shall be minimum 24” box size.
property lines. 16 trees currently
shown at the side property line
(14 required), and 9 along the
rear property line (7 required)
☐
(B) Façade Breaks. A minimum façade break of 4 feet in width, 2 feet in depth, and 32 square feet of area (i.e. 8 ft tall minimum) for every 36 to 40 feet of façade length
Concession requested under
state density bonus law
Provides breaks at end but in the
center of the west façade breaks
are 6 inches to 1 foot instead of
2 feet in depth
☐
(C) Maximum Amount of Transparent Windows. Within 40 feet of an abutting structure, no more than 15% of the facing façade area shall be windows or other glazing. Additional windows are allowed in order to maintain light, if fixed and fully obscured
Not applicable, no part of the
building is within 20 feet of
facing residential windows
☐
(D) Windows. Within 30 feet of facing residential windows (except garage or common space windows) or private open space on an adjacent residential building, facing windows on the subject site shall meet the following:
(i) Window sills at and above the 2nd floor shall be at least five feet above finished floor; or
(ii) Windows shall have opaque or translucent glazing at or below five feet above finished floor; or
(iii) Windows shall be angled up to 30 degrees (parallel to window) to face away from the adjacent privacy impacts; and
(iv) Landscape screening shall be 24-inch box size or larger and eight+ feet height at planting; 50% evergreens; and located to align with proposed second floor windows at maturity.
Not applicable. No part of the
building is within 30 feet of
facing residential windows
☐
(E). Balconies: Within 30 feet of residential windows (except garage or common space windows) or private open space on an adjacent residential building, balconies and decks on the subject site shall be designed to prevent views:
(i) No sight lines to the adjacent property window or open space are permitted within five feet above the balcony or deck flooring and a 45- degree angle downward from balcony railing.
(ii) Submit section view of proposed balcony/deck and abutting residential Not applicable since proposed
building has no balconies
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
windows and/or private open space.
(iii) Provide balcony/deck design measure which may include:
a. Minimum 85% solid railing
b. Obscure glass railing
c. Barrier with min. 18" horizontal depth from railing (e.g., landscape planter)
(b)(3)(A) & (B) Maximum Façade Length facing a street or public path Buildings 70 feet in length or greater and greater than 25 feet in height For building facades 70 feet in length or greater and facing a public street, right- of-way, or publicly accessible path shall not have a continuous façade plane greater than 70% of the façade length without an upper floor modulation, of at least 2 feet in depth
façade length featuring continuous plane: 27 feet, 7 inches Total Façade length: 123 feet
☐
Percent of façade length without upper floor modulation (a/b) (maximum 70%): 22.4%
A3.10 Continuous facades annotated in
south elevation
Buildings 250 feet in length or greater
(A) Buildings 250 feet in length or greater, which face a public street, right-of- way, or publicly accessible path, shall have at least one vertical façade break with a minimum area greater than 400 square feet and a width greater than or equal to two times the depth
a. Total Building length: _____ feet
☐
b. Number of vertical façade breaks: ___ breaks add width, depth, area Not applicable since street
elevation is 123 feet
Buildings between 150 feet and 250 feet in length
(B) Buildings 150 to 250 feet in length, which face a public street, right-of-way, or publicly accessible path, shall have at least one vertical façade break with a minimum area greater than 64 square feet and a minimum width of 8 feet and minimum depth of 4 feet.
Pick One Category
☐
a. Total Building length: _____ feet
Not applicable since street
elevation is 123 feet
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
b. Number of vertical façade breaks: ___ breaks, add width, depth, area Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(4) Special Conditions: Railroad Frontages
All parcels with lot lines abutting railroad rights-of-way shall meet the following standards on the railroad-abutting façade(s):
☐ (A) A minimum facade break of at least 10 feet in width and six feet in depth for every 60 feet of façade length.
Check
All
☐ (B) For portions of a building 20 feet or greater in height shall not have a continuous façade length that exceeds 60 feet.
Not applicable, does not abut
railroad ROW
(b)(5) Diversity of Housing Types
☐
A diversity of housing types (e.g. detached units, attached rowhouses/townhouses, condominiums or apartments, mixed use) are required for projects on large lots:
•Less than one acre lots: minimum 1 housing types
•1 to 2-acre lots: minimum 2 housing types; or
•More than 2-acre lots: minimum 3 housing types
A1.10
The apartment site is 1.69 acres
and features an apartment
building with multiple unit
types. The complete
development (4.5 acres)
features multiple housing types-
apartments, RV trailers, and
manufactured homes
18.24.060 Façade Design
Check
Two or
More
Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(c)(1) Base-Middle-Top
☐
Buildings three stories or taller and on lots wider than 50 feet shall be designed to differentiate a defined base or ground floor, a middle or body, and a top, cornice, or parapet cap. Each of these elements shall be distinguished from one another for a minimum of 80% of the façade length through use of three or more of the following four techniques:
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐
i. Variation in Building Modulation: Building modulation shall extend for a minimum 80% of the façade length feet, and shall include one or more of the following building features.
☐ a. Horizontal shifts. Changes in floor plates that protrude and/or recess with a minimum dimension of 2 feet from the primary facade.
☐
b. Upper floor step backs. A horizontal step back of upper-floor façades with a minimum 5 foot stepback from the primary façade for a minimum of 80% of the length of the façade
Check one or more if
selected
☐
c. Ground floor step back. A horizontal shift of the ground floor facade with a minimum depth of 2 feet for a minimum 80% of the length of the façade.
Ground floor step backs shall not exceed the maximum setback requirements, where stated
☒ ii. Variation in Façade Articulation: Façade articulation modulation shall include one or more of the following building features.
☐
a. Horizontal and/or Vertical Recesses or Projections. Recesses or projections such as a pattern of recessed grouping of windows, recessed panels, bay windows or similar strategies. The recess or projection shall be a minimum 4 inches in depth.
A3.10-
A3.12
Pattern of recessed and
projections, coupled with
window groupings shown on
each façade. However, the
projections are not a minimum
of 4 feet in depth; therefore
also complies with datum lines
☐
b. Horizontal and/or Vertical Projections. Projections such as shading, weather protection devices, decorative architectural details, or similar strategies.
Check one or more if selected☒
c. Datum Lines. Datum lines that continue the length of the building, such as parapets or cornices, with a minimum 4 inches in height or a minimum 2 inches in depth and include a change in material
Façade design includes a box-
like framing feature of a
different material/color that
acts as a datum line.
☒ iii. Variation in two of the following:
☒ a. Fenestration Size
☐ b. Fenestration Proportion
Check
two if
selected☐ c. Fenestration Pattern
A0.14 Variety of fenestration size and
projection shown
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☒
d. Fenestration Depth or Projection
☒ iv. Variation in two of the following:
☒ a. Façade Material
☐ b. Facade Material Size
☐ c. Façade Texture and Pattern
Check two if
selected
☒ d. Façade Color
A0.14
Variety of materials and colors
shown
(c)(2) Façade Composition
Building facades shall use a variety of strategies including building modulation, fenestration, and façade articulation to create visual interest and express a variety of scales through a variety of strategies. All facades shall include a minimum of three of the following façade articulation strategies to create visual interest:
☒ A. Vertical and horizontal recesses such as a pattern of recessed grouping of windows or recessed panels. The recess shall be a minimum 4 inches in depth.
A3.10-
A3.12
Pattern of recesses and
projections, coupled with
window groupings shown on
each façade
☐ B. Vertical and horizontal projections such as shading and weather protection devices or decorative architectural details. Projections shall be a minimum 4 inches in depth. ☒
C. Datum lines that continue the length of the building, such as cornices, with a minimum 4 inches in depth, or a minimum 2 inches in depth and include a change in material.
A3.10-
A3.12
Façade design includes a box-
like framing feature of a
different material/color that
acts as a datum line
☐ D. Balconies, habitable projections, or Juliet balconies (every 20 to 40 feet) with a minimum 4 inches in depth.
☒ E. Screening devices such as lattices, louvers, shading devices, or perforated metal screens.
A3.11,
A3.14
Perforated metal sunshades
shown along the West Elevation
Check Three or More
☒ F. Use of fine-grained building materials, such as brick or wood shingles, not to exceed 8 inches in either height or width.
A3.14 One of the proposed materials-
cement fiber board lap siding is
a fine-grain material, with
exposure less than 8 inches
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☒ G. Incorporate a minimum of three colors, materials, and/or textures across the whole building.
A3.14 Multiple color and materials
shown
(c)(3) Compatible Rhythm and Pattern
(A) Buildings shall express a vertical rhythm and pattern that reflects the size and scale of a housing unit and/or individual rooms and spaces.
This may be achieved with building modulation to create vertically oriented façades (height greater than the width of the façade), façade articulation and fenestration repetitive vertically oriented patterns. Depending on the length of the façade, the following standards apply:
☐
i. For continuous façades less than 100 feet in length, the façade shall have vertically oriented patterns of vertical recesses or projections, façade articulation, and/or fenestration.
- Not applicable since no façade
is less than 100 feet in length
ii. For continuous façades 100 feet or greater in length, the façade shall include either:
☐
a. A vertical recess or change in façade plane with a minimum 2 feet deep vertical shift modulation for a minimum 4 feet in width to establish a vertical rhythm between 20 to 50 feet in width; OR
The façade articulation
employs a pattern of
projections and recesses to
highlight the rhythm of
housing units
Check One
☐ b. A vertical recess or projection with a minimum depth of 2 feet that establishes the vertical rhythm between 10 to 16 feet in width
(B) Residential mixed-use buildings
☐ i. Vertical Patterns and Modulation: Façades shall use vertical patterns of building modulation, façade articulation, and fenestration.
Does not apply, exclusively
residential
Check One or
More☐
ii. Horizontal Patterns and Modulation: Façades that use horizontal articulation and fenestration patterns shall use a vertical massing strategy with a minimum 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep vertical shift in modulation at least once every 50 feet of façade length.
(C) Storefronts
☐ Storefront uses shall express a vertical rhythm not to exceed 30 to 50 feet in width. Doesn’t apply, exclusively residential
(c)(4) Emphasize Building Elements & Massing
(A)(i) Building Entries within Façade Design. Primary building entries shall be scaled proportionally to the number of people served (amount of floor-area or number of units accessed). Building entries inclusive of doorway and façade plane shall meet the following minimum dimensions:
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐ a. Individual residential entries: 5 feet in width
☐ b. Shared residential entry, such as mixed-use buildings: 8 feet in width ☐ c. Commercial building entry: 20 feet in width
Check All
☐ d. Storefront entry: 6 feet in width
(ii) Primary building entries (not inclusive of individual residential entries) shall include a façade modulation that includes at least one of the following:
☒ a. Recess or projection from the primary façade plane (minimum 2 feet). A0.14 Primary building entry is recessed over 8 feet
Check One
or More
☒ b. Weather protection that is a minimum 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep by recessing the entry, providing an awning or using a combination of these methods A0.14 Upper floor overhang provides
weather protection at the main
entry
(c)(5) Storefront/Retail Ground Floors
A. Ground floor height shall be a minimum 14 feet floor-to-floor OR shall maintain a 2nd floor datum line of an abutting building.
a. Ground floor height (minimum 14 feet): _____ feet; OR☐ b. Height of 2nd floor datum line of abutting building: _____ feet B. Transparency shall include a minimum 60 percent transparent glazing between 2 and 10 feet in height from sidewalk, providing unobstructed views into the commercial space. a. Façade area between 2 feet and 10 feet: _____ square feet b. Transparent glazing area between 2 feet and 10 feet: _____ square feet ☐
c. Percentage of transparent glazing (minimum 60%): _____ % ☐ C. If provided, bulkheads and solid base walls measure between 12 and 30 inches from finished grade
D. Primary entries shall include weather protection by recessing the entry, providing an awning or using a combination of these methods.
a. Weather protection width (minimum 6 feet): _____ feet☐ b. Weather protection depth (minimum 4 feet): _____ feet Not Applicable, no retail
proposed
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐
E. Awnings, canopies and weather protection: (i) When transom windows are above display windows, awnings, canopies and similar, weather protection elements shall be installed between transom and display windows. These elements should allow for light to enter the storefront through the transom windows and allow the weather protection feature to shade the display window. (ii) Awnings may be fixed or retractable (c)(6) Other Non-Residential Ground Floors
☐ (A) Ground floor height must be a minimum 14 feet floor-to-floor OR match the 2nd floor datum line of an abutting building
☐ Ground floor height (minimum 14 feet): _____ feet; OR Pick
One☐ Height of 2nd floor datum line of abutting building: _____ feet (B) Minimum of 50% transparent glazing between 4 and 10 feet in height from sidewalk or terrace grade, providing unobstructed views into the commercial space Façade area between 4 feet and 10 feet: _____ square feet Transparent glazing area: _____ square feet
☐
Percentage of transparent glazing (minimum 50%): _____ % (C) Primary entries include weather protection that is a minimum 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep by recessing the entry, providing an awning or using a combination of these methods.
Weather protection width (minimum 6 feet): _____ feet☐
Weather protection depth (minimum 4 feet): _____ feet
Project is 100% residential
(c)(7) Parking/Loading/Utilities
(A) Entry Size
No more than 25% of the site frontage facing a street shall be devoted to garage openings, carports, surface parking, loading entries, or utilities access. On sites with less than 100 feet of frontage, no more than 25 feet.
Site frontage: 228 feet
Frontage devoted to garage openings, carports, surface parking, loading entries, or utilities access: 129’7”
☐
Percent of frontage devoted to garage openings, carports, surface parking, loading entries, or utilities access 56%
Concession requested in
accordance with state density
bonus law
(B) Above Ground Structured Parking
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐
Above grade structured parking levels facing a public right-of-way or publicly accessible open space/path, with the exception of vehicular alleys, must be lined with commercial or habitable uses with a minimum depth of 20 feet No above ground parking proposed
(C)&(D) Partially Sub-Grade Structured Parking
☐ Partially sub-grade parking must not have an exposed façade that exceeds 5 feet in height above abutting grade at back of sidewalk.
☐ Partially sub-grade parking must be screened with continuous landscaping and shrubbery with minimum height of 3 feet and be located within 10 feet of the sub-grade parking.
No sub-grade parking
proposed
18.24.070 Residential Entries
Pick One
or More
(A – E)
Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(1) Ground Floor Unit Entries
Where ground floor residential unit entries are required, one or more of the following entry types shall be provided:
☐ (A) Stoop
☐ (i) Stoops provide entry access for a maximum of two ground floor units. ☐ (ii) Stoop heights are within one step of finished floor height of adjacent unit. ☐ (iii) Stoop entry landings are a minimum 5 feet in depth Check All if
Selected
☐ (iv) The maximum stoop height from the back of sidewalk grade is 5 feet.
Not Applicable, ground floor
residential unit entries not
required
☐ (B) Porch
☐ (i) Porches provide entry access for a maximum of one ground floor unit. ☐ (ii) Porch heights are within one step of finished floor height of adjacent unit. ☐ (iii) Porches are large enough so a 6-foot by 6-foot square can fit inside Check All if
Selected
☐ (iv) The maximum porch height from the back of sidewalk grade is 5 feet.
Not Applicable, ground floor
residential unit entries not
required
☐ (C) Patio Entry
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
☐ (i) Patio entries provide access for a maximum of two ground floor units. ☐ (ii) Patio entries are large enough so a 5-foot by 5-foot square can fit inside of the patio for each unit
☐ (iii) The patio shall include at least one of the following features to define the transition between public and private space:
☐ a. Row of shrubs: not exceeding 42 inches in height located between the sidewalk and the patio. One gallon size and max 3 feet on center ☐ b. Fence: not to exceed 36 inches in height located between the sidewalk and the patio with a gate or fence opening to provide access Check All if Selected
Pick One or More☐
c. Metal, Wood, or Stone Wall: not to exceed 36 inches in height located between the sidewalk and the patio with gate or opening, AND a minimum 18-inch landscape strip is located between the wall and the abutting pedestrian way and entirely landscaped
Not Applicable, ground floor
residential unit entries not
required
☐ (D) Terrace
☐ (i) Terraces provide entry access for multiple ground floor units. ☐ (ii) Terraces are a maximum height of 30 inches above the grade of the back of the adjacent sidewalk or accessway.
Check All if
Selected☐ (iii) Walls, fences and hedges on Terraces are a maximum of 42 inches tall and have a minimum transparency of 40 percent.
Not Applicable, ground floor
residential unit entries not
required
☐ (E) Frontage Court
☐ (i) Frontage courts provide entry access for multiple ground floor units. ☐ (ii) The minimum frontage court width along a primary frontage is 25 feet. ☐ (iii) The maximum frontage court width along a primary frontage is 50% of the facade length or 80 feet, whichever is less.
☐ (iv) The minimum Frontage Court depth is 25 feet.
Check All if Selected☐ (v) The maximum Frontage Court depth is 50 feet or a ratio not to exceed 2:1 depth to width.
Not Applicable, ground floor
residential unit entries not
required
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
18.24.080 Open Space
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
(b)(1) Private Open Space
☐ (A) Floor area includes clear space with a minimum dimension of a circle with a six- foot diameter.
Not Applicable, no private open
space proposed in accordance
with waiver
☐ (B) Minimum clear height dimension of 8’-6” feet.
☐ (C) Directly accessible from a residential unit.
☐ (D) Balconies are not located within the daylight plane. (b)(1)(E) Private Open Space - Ground Floor Patios
☐ (i) RM-20 and RM-30 districts: Minimum 100 square feet of area, the least dimension of which is 8 feet for at least 75% of the area.
☐ (ii) RM-40 districts: Minimum 80 square feet of area, the least dimension of which is 6 feet for at least 75% of the area
☐ (iii) Street facing private open space on the ground floor shall meet the finished floor height for ground floor residential standards in section 18.24.040(b)(4) (b)(2) Common Open Space
☐ (A)&(B) Minimum 200 square feet of area. Area shall include a space with a minimum dimension of a circle with a 10-foot diameter. A0.04
Overall common open space has
an area of 5,463 sf; area can
accommodate an 10’ circle
☐ (C) A minimum of 60% of the area shall be open to the sky and free of permanent weather protection or encroachments. Trellises and similar open-air features allowed A1.10A 420 sf of the common open
space is covered by a trellis,
leaving 92.3% open to sky
☐
(D) Notwithstanding subsection (1), courtyards enclosed on four sides shall have a minimum dimension of 40 feet and have a minimum courtyard width to building height ratio of 1:1.25
Not Applicable, courtyard if not
enclosed
☐ (E) Common open space provides seating. L1.11-
L.1-13 Variety of seating shown
☐ (F) Common open space has a minimum 20% of landscaping. A0.04 Façade design also includes a box-like framing feature of a
City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards: Checklist
4 1
9 9
different material/color that acts
as a datum line.
☐ (G) Planting in above grade courtyards has minimum soil depth of 12 inches for ground cover, 20 inches for shrubs, and 36 inches for trees. _ Not Applicable
18.24.090 Materials
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
☐
(b)(1) Primary, secondary, and accent materials are allowed or prohibited as in the Residential and Residential Mixed-use Material List, which may be updated from time to time by the Director of Planning with a recommendation by the ARB. See webpage for list - https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/News-Articles/Planning-and-Development- Services/Multifamily-Mixed-Use-Objective-Standards
A3.14 Materials comply
18.24.100 Sustainability and Green Building Code
Check Standard Sheet # Applicant’s Justification
☐
(b) See Chapter 16.14: California Green Building Standards additional requirements for green building and sustainable design. Notwithstanding Section 18.24.010(c), these regulations may not be modified through alternative compliance.
A0.07
Project complies with GalGreen
Tier 2 and is proposed to be all
electric