1 ORDINANCE NO. __
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL AMENDING PLEASANT HILL MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 18.20, R-RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS & CHAPTER 18.115, ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW PERMITS TO IMPLEMENT
CITYWIDE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
WHEREAS, amendments to Title 18 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code are proposed to amend and add provisions related to objective design standards; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to establish objective design standards that can be applied to residential projects throughout the City, including qualifying residential projects that are eligible for limited and streamlined City review; and
WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly and lawfully given, a public hearing before the Planning Commission on the proposed ordinance was noticed for January 11, 2022, where all interested persons might appear and be heard; and WHEREAS, on January 11, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 03- 22 recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance; and WHEREAS, after notice having been duly given, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance was held by the City Council on March 21, 2022, where all interested persons might appear and be heard.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill does ordain as follows:
Section 1. The recitals above are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council.
Section 2. The City Council hereby finds that pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended, the lead agency has determined that the proposed activity is exempt from CEQA. The City as the lead agency has determined with certainty that the proposed activity will not have a significant effect on the environment as the proposed design & development standards when applied to relevant projects will undergo separate CEQA review.
Section 3. Schedule 18.20.030, Development regulations for all residential districts is amended to add the following regulation to the table, as follows (new language is underlined, all other provisions within this section remain the same):
2 SCHEDULE 18.20.030
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
R-20 R-15 R-10 R-10A R-7 R-6 MRVL MRL MRM MRH
Additional
Development
Regulations
(See PHMC
§ 18.20.040)
City-Wide Objective
Design Standards - - - - - - - - - -
See PHMC
18.20.040.K
Section 4. Add a new Section 18.20.040.K, Citywide Objective Design Standards, as follows (new language is underlined, all other provisions within this section remain the same):
“K. City-Wide Objective Design Standards. All single-family residential and multifamily residential development shall comply with Objective Design Standards, as adopted by City Council Resolution.
1. Streamlined Residential Projects. If a proposed residential development project qualifies for streamlined permit review, as determined by State law, the zoning administrator shall review the proposed project to verify compliance with the Objective Design Standards applicable to such projects. Proposed residential development projects that comply with all Objective Design Standards shall be processed ministerially. Qualifying projects that do not comply with the Objective Design Standards shall be subject to the Architectural Review Permit process, as specified in Chapter 18.115 of this Title.”
Section 5. Section 18.115.010.B, Architectural Review Permits, Requirement - Purpose, is amended as follows (new language is underlined, all other provisions within this section remain the same):
“B. Purpose. The purpose of architectural review is to evaluate the interdependence of property values and aesthetics, and to provide a method to promote sound land use development.
More specifically, architectural review is intended to:
“1. Ensure excellence of architectural design;
“2. Ensure that siting and architectural design of structures, including their materials and colors, are visually harmonious with surrounding development and with the natural landforms and vegetation of the areas in which they are proposed to be located; “3. Ensure that plans for the landscaping of open spaces conform with the requirements of this chapter and that they provide visually pleasing settings for structures on the site and on adjoining and nearby sites, and blend harmoniously with the natural landscape; “4. Prevent excessive and unsightly grading of hillsides, and preserve natural landforms and existing vegetation; and
“5. Ensure compliance with city-wide objective design standards; “56. Ensure compliance with city-wide design guidelines.” Section 5. This ordinance is consistent with the following General Plan Goals and 3 Policies:
a. Community Development Goal 1 – Preserve and enhance residential neighborhoods.
The proposed amendment will establish design standards applicable to all residential projects, including those that qualify for expedited ministerial review, pursuant to state law, without the benefit of the discretionary Architectural Review process. Thus, the establishment of design standards will ensure that aesthetics will be preserved and enhanced throughout the City’s residential neighborhoods. b. Community Development Policy 3B - Require new development to adhere to high standards of quality in design.
The proposed amendments will establish design standards applicable to new residential development, thereby ensuring that the high quality design standards adopted are appropriately administered to all residential projects, including those that qualify for expedited ministerial review, pursuant to state law, and therefore are not subject to the City’s Architectural Review process.
Section 6. If any section, subsection, phrase, or clause of this article is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council would have passed this ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 7. This ordinance shall be effective 30 days after its adoption.
Section 8. Within fifteen days after the passage of this ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause it to be posted in the four places designated by resolution of the City Council.
The foregoing ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill held on the 21st day of March, 2022.
ADOPTED and ordered posted at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill, held on the __ day of ___, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
DANIELLE HABR, City Clerk