RESOLUTION NO. 03 - 22
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF PLEASANT HILL,
RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS AND AMEND PLEASANT HILL MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 18, CHAPTER 18.20, R- RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS AND TITLE 18, CHAPTER 18.115, ARCHITECTURAL
REVIEW PERMITS TO IMPLEMENT CITYWIDE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS WHEREAS, the City of Pleasant Hill staff initiated amendments to adopt Citywide Objective Design Standards; and
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 pursuant to state law; and WHEREAS, in light of the state legislature's adoption of several bills signed into law by the governor to address the statewide housing crisis, including but not limited to, Senate Bill (SB) 9, SB 330, SB 35, SB 167, AB 678 and Assembly Bill 1515, among others, there is now a need for the City to adopt additional residential objective residential development standards applicable to projects that qualify for expedited and streamlined review pursuant to state law; and WHEREAS, adoption of Citywide Objective Design Standards would provide clear direction to design professionals, property owners, and homeowners, when making design and land use applications; and
WHEREAS, City staff has proposed Objective Design Standards and include it within the existing Citywide Design Guidelines applicable to all residential projects throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the Architectural Review Commission held a study session on July 1, 2021, to consider the proposed design and development standards; and WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly, and lawfully given, a public hearing on the proposed Objective Design Standards was held by the Architectural Review Commission on November 18, 2021, where all interested persons might appear and be heard, and the Architectural Review Commission adopted Resolution No. 04-21 recommending approval to the Planning Commission and City Council; and
WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly, and lawfully given, a public hearing on the proposed Objective Design Standards was held by the Planning Commission on January 11, 2022, where all interested persons might appear and be heard; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission evaluated and determined the proposed Objective Design Standards to be in conformance with the City of Pleasant Hill General Plan and Zoning Ordinance; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill recommends that the City Council approve the Objective Design Standards as noted in Attachment C of the January 11, 2022 Planning Commission Staff Report and based on the following findings:
1. The Planning Commission finds that the amendments to the Citywide Design Guidelines will preserve and enhance residential and non-residential neighborhoods.
2. The Planning Commission finds that the amendments to the Citywide Design Guidelines will promote variety, excellence and compatibility with existing development for new and significantly remodeled residential developments.
3. The Planning Commission finds that the amendments to the Citywide Design Guidelines will improve the general appearance of the City by providing design recommendations for projects that reflect the design preferences of the City.
4. This Project is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act 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 with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed project could have a significant impact on the environment as it does not directly approve any physical development.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the exemption from CEQA and adopt the zoning ordinance (Attachment D of the January 11, 2022 Planning Commission Staff Report) based on the following findings:
CEQA Finding
The Planning Commission hereby finds that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the adoption of this ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment as the proposed activity (ordinance amendment) is exempt as it will not have a significant effect on the environment as it does not directly approve any physical development. The adoption of this ordinance is therefore exempt from the environmental review requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. 2 Zoning Code Amendment Findings
1. The new ordinance section shall be consistent with the policies of the General Plan; 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.
2. The code amendment shall be consistent with the purpose of the Zoning Code, which is to protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare and implement the policies of the General Plan, more specifically:
a. Provide a precise guide for the physical development of the City to preserve the character and quality of the residential neighborhoods, foster convenient, harmonious and workable relationships among land uses and achieve the arrangement of land uses described in the General Plan.
The proposed amendments support this finding, as the proposed objective design standards will provide clear guidance related to physical development (design and appearance). The proposed standards also take into consideration adjacent and surrounding uses through design sensitivity of new development. The proposed design standards do not affect the arrangement or location of land uses throughout the City, only the design of new development proposed. b. Promote the economic stability of existing land uses.
The proposed code amendments would not affect the economic stability of land uses, as the amendments would establish design standards for development within residential land uses.
c. Prevent excessive population densities and overcrowding of land and buildings.
The proposed code amendments would not directly result in development that creates excessive densities and overcrowding of land and buildings, as the amendments establish objective design standards that ensure a heightened quality 3 of design and aesthetics for residential development. d. Ensure the provision of adequate open space for light, air and fire safety.
The proposed code amendments would not directly result in development that impacts open space for light, air, and fire safety, as the amendments establish design standards for development. The proposed design standards, however, do include provisions that address and enhance light and air access, while the proposed amendments avoid conflict with any fire safety provisions. e. Ensure that service demands of new development will not exceed the capacities of existing streets, utilities or public services.
The proposed code amendments would not directly result in development that would exceed the capacities of existing infrastructure, as the proposal would not change any permitted densities, floor area ratios or lot coverage requirements throughout the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopt the ordinance amendment and Citywide Object Design standards with the following clarifications as noted below:
• Remove Objective Design Standard - Zaii., Front-loaded garages shall be recessed a minimum of 18 inches from the front wall plane of the residence habitable space.
• Retain Objective Design Standard - 4a., Structures shall be vertically (height) and horizontally (depth) articulated along the front elevations. Vertical articulations shall include a change in total height of a minimum of two feet, or a change in roof pitch or form, or the inclusion of a gable or dormer, and such articulation shall occur at intervals of a maximum of 15 feet. Horizontal articulations shall include a change of wall plane by a minimum depth of two feet at intervals of a maximum of 20 feet.
• Retain Objective Design Standard - 19a., Parking shall be prohibited between the structure front and the street
ADOPTED by the Planning Commission, City of Pleasant Hill, on the 11' day of January, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: Chiang, Khalfin, Mascaro, Vinson, Wyler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vavrek
ABSTAIN: None
TROY FUJIMOTO,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
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