City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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:
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.
☐
(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:
Pedestrian clear path width (8 feet min.): ft
Clear space/buffer – (2 feet min. on each side of path, ground cover is allowed): ft & ft
N/A as property is within the
ROLM zone, not within a
Commercial Mixed-Use District,
not along El Camino Real, and
not along San Antonio Road
N/A as no public sidewalks or
walkways will connect through
the property; private walkways
will be provided.
N/A see above
N/A see above
N/A see above
Two of the bike racks are located
immediately adjacent to the main
circulation drive so 12' pedestrian
access is not required. The 4 bike
racks on the central green is
connected by a 8' wide walkway
with min 2' buffers on either side.
L1
8 2
2 City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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.
a. Length of parcel frontage/public sidewalk length: ft b. Street Trees required (i.e. frontage/30 feet): ft
c. Street Trees provided: ft
(B)(3) Accent Paving
☐
Parcels abutting University Avenue between Alma Street and Webster include accent paving along the project frontages, as indicated below:
• 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
(B)(4) Mobility Infrastructure
Pick One
☐
(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
☐ 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.
Pick One
☐
(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
☐ Existing seating areas or benches that are already located in the public right-of-way within 50 feet of the building entry.
N/A as the project does not abut
University Avenue
Each unit has a private garage and long term
bike parking is provided in the garages. Bike
racks are centrally located so that they are
conveniently accessible to all.
Eating/benches are centrally located and
along paths to building entries so that they are
conveniently accessible to all.
154
5 5 ( two existing + 3 new )
Applicable frontage length 154'
(north of the project entry).
L1
L1.0
L1.1
L1.0
L1.1
N/A - see above
N/A - see above
N/A as the project does not abut
University Avenue
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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.
(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.
(b)(3) Vehicle Access
☐ (A) Vehicle access shall be located on alleys or side streets when they abut the property.
☐
(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.
(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
☐
(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.
N/A as the site is not a through lot located
more than 300 feet from an intersecting
street or pedestrian walkway
N/A as no loading docks or
service areas required or provided
N/A - see above
A.5.2
All homes are connected from a
private street or a pedestrian
walkway
A.5.1, A.5.2
A.5.1, A.5.2
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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 or other attached housing products that face the street shall include all of the following features on their secondary building frontage:
Check All
☐
(A) height and width of corner element shall have a ratio greater than 1.2:1. For townhomes, the width would be equal to the smaller side of one unit?
a. Secondary building frontage height: feet
b. Secondary building frontage length: feet
c. Secondary building frontage height to width ratio:
☐
(B) minimum of 15% fenestration area.
a. Total secondary building frontage façade area: sf
b. Secondary building frontage façade fenestration area: sf c. Percent of fenestration area %
☐ (C) At least one facade modulation with a minimum depth of 18 inches and a minimum width of two feet.
(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:
Check One or More within
A or B
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.
☐ iii. A change in height of at least 4 feet greater or less than the height of the adjacent/abutting primary façade.
N/A as project heights exceed
40 feet.
A.10&A.22
N/A as project heights exceed
40 feet.
N/A as project heights exceed
40 feet.
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
Check One or
More within A or B B. An open space with a minimum dimension of 20 feet and minimum area of 450 sf. The open space shall be at least one of the following
☐ 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:
Check One or More
☐ A. Faces a public right-of-way.
☐ B. Faces a publicly accessible pedestrian walkway.
☐
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
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): sf and ft. min. width
(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:
A.6
A.5.2
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
Check All that Apply
☐ Setback adjacent to public right of way: feet
☐
Minimum ground floor finished floor height: feet
𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝒚𝒚𝒚𝒚 = �− � (𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒙) +
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑
where 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 = setback length from back of walk, in feet
and 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 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.
Facade length: feet
Trees required: tree(s) (i.e. façade length / 40)
Trees provided: tree(s)
C and D. Front Setback
Pick One
☐ C. Ground floor residential entries are setback a minimum of 10 feet from the back of public sidewalk; OR
☐
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.
20 0
A5.1 and C2.0
The site is in a flood zone and
there the finished floor height is
determined by FEMA.
the proposed finished floor height
and not by the elevation of Geng
Road ( public road) since the road
is within the floodplain.
11 Ground floor units are setback
greater than 15' only along Geng
avenue
47'8"
2 8
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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.
a. Total number of ground floor residential units facing a public right-of-way, publicly accessible path, or open space: 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:
Check All that Apply
☐
(A). Ground-floor retail or retail like uses have a minimum of 10% of the required setback as landscape or planters.
i. Minimum setback area (setback x frontage x 10%): sf ii. Landscape or planter area in required setback: sf
☐
(B). Ground-floor residential uses have a minimum of 60% landscaped area in the required setback area.
i. Minimum setback area (setback x frontage x 60%): sf ii. Landscape area in required setback: 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.
145
116
145
3,121 SF
4,518 sf
L1
15' or greater setback
only occurs on the
front along Geng
Road.
A5.1
setbacks measured by parcel for
condos. complies
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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.
☐
(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.
(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:
N/A since there are no
adjacent residential units
N/A Proposed buildings
are no more than 20 feet
above the average height
of adjacent commerical
buildings
N/A Proposed buildings are not
adjacent to residential structures
N/A since there are no
adjacent residential units
42'2"
27 City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
Check 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 screening plant material shall be a minimum 72 inches (6 feet) in height when planted. Required trees shall be minimum 24” box size.
☐ (B) Façade Breaks. A minimum façade break of 4 feet in width, 2 feet in depth, and 32 sf of area (i.e. 8 ft tall minimum) for every 36 to 40 feet of façade length
☐
(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
(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.
(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 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. planter)
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
(b)(3)(A) & (B) Maximum Façade Length - facing a street or public path Pick One Category
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
Largest façade length featuring continuous plane: feet Total Façade length: feet
Percent of façade length without upper floor modulation (a/b) (maximum 70%): %
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 sf and a width greater than or equal to two times the depth
Total Building length: feet
Number of vertical façade breaks: area
Width: feet, Depth: feet, Area: sf
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 sf and a minimum width of 8 feet and minimum depth of 4 feet.
Total Building length: feet
Number of vertical façade breaks: area
Width: feet, Depth: feet, Area: sf
N/A see above
N/A see above
N/A as buildings along
Geng Road are not longer
than 70'
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
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):
Check
All
☐ (A) A minimum facade break of at least 10 feet in width and six feet in depth for every 60 feet of façade length.
☐ (B) For portions of a building 20 feet or greater in height shall not have a continuous façade length that exceeds 60 feet.
(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
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:
☐
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.6
3 housing types provided:- Front
Loaded Pullapart townhomes - Alley
loaded Duplex Townhomes- Alley
loaded Row Townhomes
N/A see above
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
Check one or more if
selected
☐ 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
☐
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, where stated
☐ ii. Variation in Façade Articulation: Façade articulation modulation shall include one or more of the following building features.
Check one or more if
selected
☐
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.
☐
b. Horizontal and/or Vertical Projections. Projections such as shading, weather protection devices, decorative architectural details, or similar strategies.
☐
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
☐ iii. Variation in two of the following:
Check two if
selected ☐ a. Fenestration Size
☐ b. Fenestration Proportion
☐ c. Fenestration Pattern
☐ d. Fenestration Depth or Projection
☐ iv. Variation in two of the following:
Check two if
selected ☐ a. Façade Material
☐ b. Facade Material Size
☐ c. Façade Texture and Pattern
☐ d. Façade Color
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
(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:
Check Three or More
☐ 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.
☐ 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.
☐ 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.
☐ F. Use of fine-grained building materials, such as brick or wood shingles, not to exceed 8 inches in either height or width.
☐ G. Incorporate a minimum of three colors, materials, and/or textures across the whole building.
(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.
ii. For continuous façades 100 feet or greater in length, the façade shall include either:
Check
One
☐
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
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
A.9- A.26
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
☐ 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
Check One or
More
☐ i. Vertical Patterns and Modulation: Façades shall use vertical patterns of building modulation, façade articulation, and fenestration.
☐
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 must express a vertical rhythm not to exceed 30 to 50 feet in width. (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 shall meet the following minimum dimensions:
Check All ☐ 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
☐ 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:
Check
One or
More ☐ a. Recess or projection from the primary façade plane (minimum 2 feet). ☐ 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
(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 N/A as all entries
are private entries
N/A as the project is not a mixed use
N/A as the project is not a mixed use
A.31- A.39
N/A as the project is not a mixed use
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
☐
B. Transparency shall include a minimum 60% 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: sf
b. Transparent glazing area between 2 feet and 10 feet: sf 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
☐
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
Pick
One ☐ Ground floor height (minimum 14 feet): feet; OR ☐ 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: sf
Transparent glazing area: sf
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
N/A as the project is not a mixed use
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
(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: feet
Frontage devoted to garage openings, carports, surface parking, loading entries, or utilities access: feet
Percent of frontage devoted to garage openings, carports, surface parking, loading entries, or utilities access %
(B) Above Ground Structured Parking
☐
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
(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.
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
N/A as no structured parking provided
A.5.1, C2
204
12.3 N/A as no structured parking provided
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
Check All if
Selected ☐ (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 ☐ (iv) The maximum stoop height from the back of sidewalk grade is 5 feet. ☐ (B) Porch
Check All if
Selected ☐ (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 ☐ (iv) The maximum porch height from the back of sidewalk grade is 5 feet. ☐ (C) Patio Entry
Check All if Selected
☐ (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:
Pick One or More ☐ 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
☐
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
☐ (D) Terrace
Check All if
Selected ☐ (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.
☐ (iii) Walls, fences and hedges on Terraces are a maximum of 42 inches tall and have a minimum transparency of 40%.
A.31- A.39
A.31- A.39
A.31- A.39
A.31- A.39
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
☐ (E) Frontage Court
Check All if Selected ☐ (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.
☐ (v) The maximum Frontage Court depth is 50 feet or a ratio not to exceed 2:1 depth to width.
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.
☐ (B) Minimum clear height dimension of 8’-6” feet.
☐ (C) Directly accessible from a residential unit.
☐ (C) 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 sf of area, the least dimension of which is 8 feet for at least 75% of the area.
☐
(ii) RM-40 districts: Minimum 80 sf 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)
N/A as property is not within the
RM-40 district
N/A as project doesn't provide
ground floor private open space
N/A as project doesn't provide ground
floor private open space. Private open
space provided on roofs. A.35-A.43
A.31- A.39
A.31- A.39
A.31- A.39
A.31- A.39
City of Palo Alto - Objective Design Standards Checklist
(b)(2) Common Open Space
☐ (A)&(B) Minimum 200 sf of area. Area shall include a space with a minimum dimension of a circle with a 10-foot diameter.
☐ (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
☐
(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
☐ (E) Common open space provides seating.
☐ (F) Common open space has a minimum 20% of landscaping. ☐ (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.
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
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.
N/A as courtyard is not above grade
N/A as courtyard not enclosed
A.6
A.6
A.26 -A.30
A.57
L1
L1