Redondo Beach
Objective Residential
Standards
Planning Commission #4
Final Recommendation June 15, 2023
Agenda
1. Goals for Tonight
2. Background on the update
3. Key changes to ORS
4. Recap Planning Commission prior
direction and potential
recommendations
5. Planning Commission
recommendations on implementing
ordinance and ORS document
2 Goals for Tonight
• Revisit outline of document and key changes in ORS based on Planning Commission direction received 3/29/23
• Discuss Planning Commission potential recommendations previously discussed
• Hear public comments on the draft document and potential recommendations to City Council
• Answer commission questions, discussion
• Make final recommendations to City Council
Final Draft Document Link:
https://www.redondo.org/news/ then click on Residential Design Guidelines Update item and click on “latest version” document 3 Why Update our Residential Guidelines?
• City Council Strategic Plan identified a need to update Residential Guidelines (last updated in 2003).
• Funding from Senate Bill 2 (SB2) Planning Grants Program • For California cities and counties to prepare, adopt, and implement plans and process improvements that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production.
• City Council hired Consultant Cityworks Design to update the City’s Residential Design Guidelines, with input from a Focus Group, Planning Commission, Community Workshops and online survey.
• Senate Bill 330 (SB330) adopted in 2019 restricts any development requirements adopted after January 1, 2020 to be objective, quantifiable, and written development standards.
4 Overall Goal for ORS
To streamline the residential application process and
achieve compatible development through objective
building and landscaping standards
Proposed to be achieved by…
• Replacing the 2003 Residential Design Guidelines with Objective Residential Standards (turning subjective into objective) • Adding Standards for R-1A Zone
• Eliminating confusion and uncertainty of existing guidelines • Clarifying Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance
5 Process to Date
6 Late 2021 Focus Group #1 and Planning Commission #1
Early - Mid 2022 Community Meeting #1, Public Survey, Prepare Draft ORS Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Planning Commission Subcommittee Input January - March 2023 ORS Public Draft and FAQs Released, Input on Public Draft March 2023 Focus Group #2, Planning Commission #2, and Community Meeting #2
May 18, 2023 Planning Commission #3
May - June 2023 Staff Prepared Zoning Amendments
June 15, 2023 Planning Commission #4 - recommendations to City Council on Zoning Amendments and Final Draft ORS
July 2023 City Council discussion and input on draft
August 2023 City Council / Public Hearing: Zoning Amendments and Adopting ORS Note: Schedule is driven by SB2 Grant
“involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official before submittal.”
Government Code Sections 65913.4 and 66300(a)(7)
Using straight-forward criteria that aim to reflect existing character of neighborhood so new buildings are compatible with old buildings What are “Objective” Standards?
7 How Standards differ from Guidelines
Enforceability
• Use of “shall” or “must” – indicates “REQUIRED”
• Use of “should” or “may” – indicates “RECOMMENDED”
Examples of Standards
• The entire second floor must be set back from the front building line by a minimum of 10 feet.
• The front setback shall include at least 40 square feet of planted area.
Guideline Example
• The design of the primary dwelling should reflect the neighborhood character.
• Design may include features such as balconies, porches and bay windows.
8 Examples of Guideline to Standard
EXAMPLE 1: Existing Guideline for Roof Deck Location (R-1) • Should be stepped back from the building edge above the second floor; • Should be oriented away from neighbors’ yards as much as possible; Proposed Standard
• A roof deck shall be set back at least 10 feet from the required first story setbacks on all sides.
EXAMPLE 2: Existing Guideline for Multi-Family Landscaping • Landscaping shall emphasize water-efficient plants.
Proposed Standard
• Multi-Family landscaped areas shall include drought tolerant live plants in 75% of the area.
9 Outline of Objective Residential Standards
10 • Introduction
• Standards Applicable to All Residential Districts
• R-1 Single Family Zoning District Standards
• R-1A Single Family Zoning District Standards
• R-2 and R-3 Multi-Family Zoning District Standards
• RMD and RH Multi-Family Zoning District Standards
• R-1 Character Area Design Guidelines
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Prior Planning Commission Direction
11 • 2nd story Side Setbacks 2’ average, but more than 2’, on each side • 2nd story Rear Setbacks Eliminate from R-1A Zone; R-1 Zone to match bonus language (additional 5’ average).
• Balconies along Interior Side Yards Not allowed where residential is adjacent. • Mezzanines Allow plumbing and walls as long as space is open to floor below; no adjacent balcony access; allow in R1A zone too.
• Height OK as proposed.
• Roof Decks Setbacks from first-story setback: in R-1 Zone 10’ all sides; in R-1A Zone: 10’ front and rear, 3’ sides; solid guard rail on sides. • Tandem Parking Not allowed for required parking in R-1 or R-1A. Carports Not allowed in R-1 or R-1A.
• Height on Sloping Lots Develop clearer method for calculating height. • Porches Not allowed in front yard setback.
Prior Planning Commission Direction (continued)
12 • Character Areas Standards
TRW Tract Eliminate 120’ lot depth threshold for roof decks.
Lower Avenues No artificial turf in parkways allowed.
Upper Avenues If alley exists, garage access must be from alley; if not, driveway with garage in rear required; garage in front not allowed.
Add porches and gabled roofs from current design guidelines to ORS guidelines.
• Multi-family Separate out R-2/R-3 from RMD/RH standards • Compatibility Address mass, scale and privacy, especially regarding window placement. Updated application to require photo montage, demonstrate how project is compatible with existing neighbors, show project in context of neighborhood and explain why its compatible.
• Landscape Specify “live plant material”, artificial turf and plants not allowed.
Current Zoning Code references “intent” of Residential Design Guidelines :
• The project shall be consistent with the intent of residential design guidelines adopted by resolution of the City Council.
Revisions proposed to reference “comply” with Objective Residential Standards:
• 10-2.2500 [and 10-5 for coastal] Administrative Design Review. (b) Criteria. The following criteria shall be used in determining a project’s consistency with the intent and purpose of this section:
(7) The project shall comply with the Objective Residential Standards be consistent with the intent of residential design guidelines adopted by resolution of the City Council.
• 10-2.2502 [and 10-5 for coastal] Planning Commission Design Review. (b) Criteria. The following criteria shall be used in determining a project’s consistency with the intent and purpose of this section:
(7) Consistency with residential design guidelines. The project shall comply with the Objective Residential Standards be consistent with the intent of residential design guidelines adopted by resolution of the City Council.
When to use the new ORS
13 14
Planning Commission Possible Recommendations
• Consider eliminating FAR bonuses where that option in the zoning code would now be required in the ORS (e.g., for 2nd story rear and side setbacks). • Consider not limiting combined areas for roof decks and mezzanines currently in zoning code.
• Consider adding FAR limits for R-1A, R-2, and R-3 Zones. • Consider adding other character areas.
• Consider having basement and Gross Floor Area determination the same. • Consider stricter height limit on sloping lots to be measured differently. • For R1, have additional second story rear setback based on an average of the depth of the lot.
• Consider whether to keep the window privacy requirement in the R-1A zone since it may not be feasible to meet those requirements.
15 Planning Commission Possible Recommendations
(continued)
• Revise height to 26’ or 28’ for flat roof in R-1A.
• Prohibit mezzanines above second floor in R-1A.
• Add definition of MWELO requirements in ORS.
• Specify no artificial plants or turf in parkways.
• Add swimming pool setbacks.
• For Faye & Susana, add a requirement for peak roof ridge parallel to the street/front property line.
• Prohibit cantilever for front unit for the width of the driveway or consider 3’ to 5’ maximum overhang over driveway.
16 Items Staff will clean up for Final Draft
• Call out a reference in the ORS document that clarifies that excavation sites have to comply with the Building Code regarding noticing and protection measures to prevent impacts to adjacent properties.
• Correct drawing of mezzanine setback.
• Correct matrices for landscaped areas (50% is listed twice, where one should be 50% and the other 75%).
Planning Commission Action Needed Tonight
• Open public hearing and take testimony
• Questions and Discussion on Final Draft Document
• Final recommendations to City Council in resolution
• Close public hearing
• Adoption by Title Only of Resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF REDONDO
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCES AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 2 ZONING AND LAND USE AND TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5 COASTAL LAND USE PLAN IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE
PERTAINING TO ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGN REVIEW AND PLANNING
COMMISSION DESIGN REVIEW COMPLIANCE WITH OBJECTIVE RESIDENTIAL
STANDARDS, AND RECOMMEDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTIONS FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) FOR THE AMENDMENTS
17 Thank you!