Agenda packet, regular meeting — Sierra Madre City Council, June 23, 2026 (part 2 of 2)

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CITY OF
SIERRA
MADRE

STAFF REPORT

PLANNING & COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Clare Lin, Director of Planning & Community Preservation By: Katelyn Huang, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT:

Resolution No. 26-63 Approving Participation in the Los Angeles County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Fiscal Years 2027-2029

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-63, and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement to continue participation in the Los Angeles County Community Development Block Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2027-2029.

SUMMARY
The City of Sierra Madre has participated in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for over a decade and recently received an invitation to continue participation. To continue participation, the County of Los Angeles, by and through its agent, the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), must requalify with the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) every three (3) years to obtain entitlement status as an urban county. The new three-year period will begin on July 1, 2027 and end on June 30, 2030.

DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The CDBG program is administered by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) using funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Historically, CDBG funding has supported a variety of local improvements within the City, including a COVID-19 small business grant program that provided financial assistance to local businesses during the pandemic.

In July 2022, the City adopted the 2021–2029 (6th Cycle) Housing Element, which identified the Minor Home Rehabilitation Program for lower-income seniors as a priority use of CDBG funds. This policy direction reflects both the age of the City’s housing stock and the needs of its senior population, many of whom face challenges maintaining their homes. The program is intended to preserve housing quality and enable seniors to safely age in place.
2021-2029 Objective: Develop program guidelines for a Minor Home Rehabilitation Program utilizing CDBG funds. Conduct outreach through the Sierra Madre Senior Center, the Senior Commission, the City newsletter and City Hall website. Seek to assist six extremely low, very low and low income households annually, for a total of 48 during the planning period.

Over the past three years, the City has successfully implemented the Minor Home Rehabilitation Program, completing eight (8) projects to date. Improvements have included roof replacements, tub-to-roll-in shower conversions, installation of heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters, and window replacements. These upgrades have enhanced safety, accessibility, and overall living conditions for participating seniors.

Under the program, income-qualified homeowners earning less than 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible for grants of up to $17,255 for eligible home repairs and accessibility improvements. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, wheelchair ramps, handrails, grab bars, roll-in showers, roof and plumbing repairs, and window replacement. The program is particularly important given that approximately one-quarter of Sierra Madre’s senior population is lower income.

Income-qualified homeowner households earning less than 80% Area Median Income (AMI) would be eligible for grants of up to $17,255 to assist with home repairs such as accessibility improvements. The work includes but is not limited to wheelchair ramps, handrails, grab bars, tub conversions to roll-in showers, roof repairs, plumbing repairs, and window replacement. With Sierra Madre’s sizable senior citizen population – one-quarter of whom are lower income – a program to assist seniors with minor home improvements could provide support in allowing them to age in place. The CDBG grant funds 100% of the $17,255 in minor home rehabilitation and a 20% consultant fee (totaling $4,313), totaling $21,568 for each senior resident. The City expects to receive an estimated total of $37,266 in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in Community Development Block Grant Funds and is requesting City Council authorization to allocate these funds to its Senior Minor Home Rehabilitation Program.

Each project is fully funded through CDBG, covering 100 percent of construction costs (up to $17,255) as well as a 20 percent consultant fee (up to $4,313), for a total of $21,568 per household. For Fiscal Year 2026–2027, the City expects to receive approximately $37,266 in CDBG funding. The City Council previously allocated these funds to the Minor Home Rehabilitation Program through Resolution No. 26-07, adopted on January 13, 2026.

STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The recommended action is consistent with the City’s Strategic Plan, as it advances Organizational Sustainability under Goal 2.2 by supporting long-term financial planning through the use of diverse funding sources and by helping to reduce future liability costs. Additionally, it promotes Community Enrichment by expanding and enhancing City programs that support senior residents.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
CEQA Project, exempt under: 14 CCR 15061(b)(3)- common sense exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment

FISCAL IMPACT
There is a positive fiscal impact as a result of the recommended action. CDBG funds are appropriated annually as a Special Revenue in Fund 38002 CDBG – Community Development Block Grant. For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the City of Sierra Madre is expected to receive an estimated $37,266. These funds can be retained over several years to support targeted projects, including the Senior Minor Home Rehabilitation Program. For future fiscal years, staff would request Council approval to appropriate revenue and expenditures accordingly.

Approved by:
___________________________
Michael Bruckner
City Manager
Attachments
Attachment 1 - City Council Resolution No. 26-63
Attachment 2 - Continued Participation Letter from LACDA 273249.1
RESOLUTION NO. 26-63

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING

PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS ANGELES URBAN COUNTY

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

RECITALS
WHEREAS, the City of Sierra Madre (“City”) desires to participate in the Los Angeles Urban County Program for Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds, in the County’s Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2029, commencing on July 1, 2027, and through June 30, 2030; and
WHEREAS, the City authorizes the execution of a Cooperation Agreement with the County of Los Angeles in order to receive said CDBG funds.

THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Recitals. The Recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. Approval of Participation. The City Council adopts and approves its participation in the Los Angeles County Urban County Program and receiving CDBG funds and execution of the Cooperation Agreement between the City of Sierra Madre and the County of Los Angeles for the time period of July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030.

SECTION 3. Authorization. The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or his/her designee, to execute the Cooperation Agreement, any and all related documents necessary, for participation in the Los Angeles Urban County Program on behalf of the City.

SECTION 4. CEQA. This resolution is exempt is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the "common sense" exemption in that will not result in a reasonably foreseeable physical change to the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, and it is therefore not subject to CEQA review.

SECTION 5. Severability. If any sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution or any part hereof or exhibit hereto is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution or any part thereof or exhibit thereto. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, 273249.1
sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraph, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.

SECTION 6. Certification. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36932, the City Clerk shall certify the passage, approval, and adoption of this Resolution by the City Council.

SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of June, 2026. __________________________
Kristine Lowe, Mayor
I HEREBY CERTIFY the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Sierra Madre, California, at a meeting held on the 23rd day of June, 2026, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAINED:
___________________________
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
____________________________
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney

CITY OF
SIERRA
MADRE

STAFF REPORT

PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brian Dickinson, Director of Public Works
By: Eric Lozick, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:

Resolution No. 26-57 Designating Streets to be Included in the FY 2026-27 Street Rehabilitation Program Funded by SB 1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017)

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-57 designating certain streets for the FY 2026-27 street rehabilitation program funded by the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) under SB 1.

SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to request City Council adoption of Resolution No. 26-57, approving the list of street projects proposed to receive FY 2026-27 RMRA funds under SB 1. This action is a stand-alone approval dedicated solely to the Local Streets and Roads Funding Program and is separate from the City’s Capital Improvement Program and annual budget adoption.

On April 28, 2017, the Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 1 (Beall, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, to address basic road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety needs on both the state highway and local streets and road system. Prior to receiving RMRA funds in a fiscal year, a city must submit to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) an adopted list of proposed projects by July 1. For FY 2026-27, the City estimates it will receive approximately $314,451 in RMRA funds, based on the Local Streets and Roads revenue estimate prepared for the League of California Cities and published by the California Local Government Finance Almanac, dated May 2026.

DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 is a significant investment in California’s transportation system of about $5.2 billion per year. The Act increased per gallon fuel excise taxes, diesel fuel sales taxes, and vehicle registration taxes, stabilized price-based fuel tax rates, and provides for inflationary adjustments to rates in future years. The Act allocates funds from new taxes to cities and counties through the RMRA. Pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Section 2030, RMRA allocations must be used for allowable projects including road maintenance and rehabilitation, safety projects, and complete streets components.

To receive these funds, a city must submit to the CTC a project list pursuant to an adopted City resolution. Per Streets and Highways Code Section 2034(a), the list must include, for each project, a description, location, schedule for completion, and estimated useful life. The City must also submit an annual report of project completion to continue receiving funds.

Street selection for the FY 2026-27 program was guided by the City’s 2023 Pavement Management Plan, which assigns each segment a Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The program prioritizes the most deteriorated segments while grouping work geographically for cost efficiency. Consistent with the CTC’s reporting framework, the projects below are presented in two categories: projects relisted from a prior fiscal year that will utilize the FY 2026-27 apportionment, and new projects proposed for FY 2026-27.

Relisted Projects (previously proposed, utilizing FY 2026-27 RMRA funds) Project Title Project Location Project Description Estimated Schedule (MM/YY)
Estimated
Useful Life
S. Mountain Trail
Ave.

Lowell Ave. to Orange
Grove Ave.

Canyon Crest to Skyland
Dr.

Pavement
rehabilitation (2” grind
& overlay)
07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Valle Vista Dr. Full length
Pavement
rehabilitation (2” grind
& overlay)
07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Los Rocas Dr.

Sycamore Pl. to Canon
Dr.

Full-depth pavement
rehabilitation 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Los Rocas Drive, with a PCI of 33, has deteriorated beyond the point where conventional grind-and-overlay treatment is cost-effective and is programmed for more extensive full-depth rehabilitation.

STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
This item supports the City’s goals of maintaining and improving public infrastructure, ensuring safe travel conditions for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and using restricted transportation funds in a timely and fiscally responsible manner.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
CEQA Project, exempt under: 14 CCR 15061(b)(2)- categorical exemption. The project is exempt under 14 CCR 15301(d) because it involves the restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated structures, facilities, or equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety.

FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2026-27 proposed budget includes RMRA funding for the City’s Street Rehabilitation Program. The current FY 2026-27 RMRA revenue estimate for the City of Sierra Madre is approximately $314,451.

Adoption of Resolution No. 26-57 does not appropriate additional funds or amend the FY 2026-27 proposed budget. This action is limited to designating the streets proposed to receive FY 2026-27 RMRA funding for purposes of the City’s required submittal to the California Transportation Commission. Any project expenditures will remain limited to the amounts authorized through the adopted FY 2026-27 budget unless otherwise approved by the City Council.

Approved by:
___________________________
Michael Bruckner
City Manager
Attachments

1. Resolution 26-57.pdf
RESOLUTION NO. 26-57

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A LIST OF
PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FUNDED BY
SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
OF 2017

RECITALS
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in April 2017 to address the significant multi-modal transportation funding shortfalls statewide; and
WHEREAS, SB 1 includes accountability and transparency provisions that will ensure the residents of our City are aware of the projects proposed for funding in our community and which projects have been completed each fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the City must adopt by resolution a list of projects proposed to receive fiscal year funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), created by SB 1, which must include a description and the location of each proposed project, a proposed schedule for the project’s completion, and the estimated useful life of the improvement; and
WHEREAS, the City will receive an estimated $314,451 in RMRA funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27 from SB 1; and
WHEREAS, this is the ninth year in which the City is receiving SB 1 funding and will enable the City to continue essential road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, safety improvements, and increasing access and mobility options for the traveling public that would not have otherwise been possible without SB 1; and WHEREAS, the City has undergone a robust public process to ensure public input into our community’s transportation priorities and the project list; and WHEREAS, the City used a Pavement Management System to develop the SB 1 project list to ensure revenues are being used on the highest-priority and most costeffective projects that also meet the community priorities for transportation investment; and
WHEREAS, the funding from SB 1 will help the City maintain and rehabilitate seven streets throughout the City this year and numerous similar projects in the future; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment found that the City’s streets and roads are in good condition, and this revenue will help the City increase the overall quality of its road system and, over the next decade, bring its streets and roads into an “excellent” condition; and WHEREAS, the project list does not limit the flexibility of the City to fund projects in accordance with local needs and priorities so long as the projects are consistent with RMRA priorities as outlined in Streets and Highways Code Section 2030(b) [Streets and Highways Code Section 2034(a)(1)]; and
WHEREAS, the City affirms its commitment that the apportionments received will be used and reported on as required by statute and the Commission’s adopted program guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the SB 1 project list and overall investment in our local streets and roads infrastructure, focusing on basic maintenance and safety, investing in complete streets infrastructure, and using cutting-edge technology, materials, and practices, will have significant positive co-benefits statewide.

THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Recitals. The Recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. Newly Proposed Projects. The following list of newly proposed projects will be funded in part or solely with Fiscal Year 2026-27 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues:

Project Title Project Location Project Description
Estimated
Schedule
(MM/YY)
Estimated
Useful Life
Orange Dr. Canyon Crest to Skyland
Dr.

Pavement rehabilitation
(2” grind & overlay) 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Valle Vista Dr. Full length Pavement rehabilitation
(2” grind & overlay) 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Los Rocas Dr. Sycamore Pl. to Canon
Dr.

Full-depth pavement
rehabilitation 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
SECTION 3. Previously Proposed Projects. The following previously proposed and adopted projects may also utilize Fiscal Year 2026-27 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues in their delivery. With the relisting of these projects, the City reaffirms to the public and the State its intent to fund these projects with Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues:

Project Title Project Location Project Description
Estimated
Schedule
(MM/YY)
Estimated
Useful Life
S. Mountain Trail
Ave.

Lowell Ave. to Orange
Grove Ave.

Pavement rehabilitation
(2” grind & overlay) 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Kaia Ln. Arno Dr. to Cul de Sac Pavement rehabilitation (2” grind & overlay) 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Monterey Ln. Sierra Madre Blvd. to Cul
de Sac
Pavement rehabilitation
(2” grind & overlay) 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
Auburn Ln. Full length Pavement rehabilitation
(2” grind & overlay) 07/26 - 06/27 15 to 20 years
SECTION 4. CEQA. The projects designated by this Resolution are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Section 15301, which exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities. Specifically, Section 15301(c) exempts the repair and maintenance of existing streets, highways, sidewalks, gutters, and similar facilities.

SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution or any part hereof or exhibit hereto is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution or any part thereof or exhibit thereto. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.

SECTION 6. Certification. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36932, the City Clerk shall certify the passage, approval, and adoption of this Resolution by the City Council.

SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of June, 2026. _______________________________________
Kristine Lowe, Mayor, City of Sierra Madre, CA
I HEREBY CERTIFY the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Sierra Madre, California, at a meeting held on the 23rd day of June, 2026, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAINED:
_______________________________________
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
_______________________________________
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney

CITY OF
SIERRA
MADRE

STAFF REPORT

PLANNING & COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Clare Lin, Director of Planning & Community Preservation By: Katelyn Huang, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT:

Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1495 Adopting by Reference the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards by Adding Chapter 17.50 (Objective Design Standards) to and Amending Various Sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code Related to Multifamily Development Standards

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council conduct a second reading of Ordinance No. 1495 adopting by reference the Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1495 Adopting by Reference the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards by Adding Chapter 17.50 (Objective Design Standards) to and Amending Various Sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code Related to Multifamily Development Standards

SUMMARY
The City Council held a public hearing and unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1495 at its regular meeting on June 9, 2026. The second reading of Ordianance No. 1495 is hereby presented before the City Council for consideration and adoption. For additional information regarding Ordinance No. 1495, see Attachment

2. DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The second reading of Ordinance No. 1495 incorporates the same municipal code text amedments introduced and approved on first reading on June 9, 2026. The Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards document provided in the June 9 meeting did not incorporate the changes and suggestions provided by the Planning Commission on June 4, 2026. An updated version of the Sierra Madre ODS document reflecting the changes have been provided herein in Attachment 2.

GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Ordinance No. 1495 is consistent with the following Goals and Policies of Sierra Madre General Plan’s Housing Element in that it promotes a diverse range of housing types, reduced governmental constraints, and flexible mixed‑use and innovative housing models while preserving community character and the low‑scale downtown environment. The amendment implements this direction by aligning local development standards with State housing law through the use of Objective Design Standards.

Goal 2.0: Facilitate the provision of a range of housing types to meet community needs.

Policy 2.1: Encourage diversity in the type, size, price and tenure of residential development in Sierra Madre, while maintaining quality of life goals.

Policy 2.4: Provide opportunities for the integration of housing in commercial districts, while maintaining the downtown’s low scale character and ground level retail spaces.

Goal 3.0: Reduce governmental constraints on the maintenance, improvement and development of housing while maintaining community character.

Policy 3.3: Provide flexibility in development standards to accommodate new models and approaches to providing housing, such as co-housing, shared housing, and live/work housing.

STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
Ordinance No. 1495, which adds Chapter 17.50 (Objective Design Standards) and amends various sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code, directly implements the City’s Strategic Plan for Infrastructure and Growth Management under Goal 2 - Create Build Design Guidelines, specifically Goal 2.2 for Objective Design Standards.

FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of the recommended action.

Approved by:
___________________________
Michael Bruckner
City Manager
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Ordinance No. 1495
Exhbit 1 - Amendments
Attachment 2 - Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards Draft_6.9.2026 273251.1
ORDINANCE NO. 1495

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA,
ADDING CHAPTER 17.50 (OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS) TO
TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE, AND AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE

SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REFERENCE AND

INCORPORATE THE SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN

STANDARDS WHERE APPLICABLE TO MULTIFAMILY
DEVELOPMENTS.

RECITALS
WHEREAS, the State of California adopted several housings laws, including Senate Bill (SB) 167, SB 423, SB 4, SB 330, and Assembly Bill 2011, which strongly incentivize cities and counties to streamline the review process for multifamily housing, including mixed-use residential developments, and require local agencies to limit their review of qualifying housing projects to objective standards; WHEREAS, pursuant to SB 423, Objective Design Standards "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 applicant or developer and the public official before submittal”; WHEREAS, the City participated as one of four partner cities in the development of a Regional Objective Standards document led by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG);
WHEREAS, the SGVCOG effort was funded through Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Early Action Program (REAP) 2.0 Subregional Partnership (SRP), which is designed to accelerate housing production, support jurisdictions in meeting their sixth cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) obligations, and advance state and regional priorities related to housing, transportation, equity, and climate;
WHEREAS, the purpose of adopting Objective Design Standards is to comply with recent State legislation and to implement streamlined and ministerial review processes for qualifying projects by establishing reasonable, uniform, and comprehensive standards and procedures for multi-family residential and mixed-use development projects; WHEREAS, the Objective Design Standards will apply to all new qualifying residential and mixed-use development projects, specifically where State law limits the City’s enforcement of design standards to objective standards only, or where the Sierra Madre Municipal Code requires a ministerial approval process; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on May 7 and May 21, 2026, to consider a Municipal Code Text Amendment (MCTA 26-02) and a 273251.1
recommendation for the City Council to adopt an ordinance.

WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on June 9, 2026, and unanimously approved the foregoing ordinance for first reading.

WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on June 23, 2026, to introduce the foregoing ordinance for second reading.

THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Recitals. The Recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.

SECTION 2. Amendment and Addition. Chapter 17.50 (Objective Design Standards) is added and Chapter 17.24 (R-2 Two-Family Residential Zone), Chapter 17.28 (R-3-13 Medium/High Density Residential Zone), Chapter 17.29 (R-3-20 and R-3-30 High Density Residential Zones), Chapter 17.32 (R-E Residential Entrepreneur Overlay Zone), Chapter 17.36 (Commercial Zone), Chapter 17.39 (RHO Religious Housing Overlay Zone), Chapter 17.40 (Manufacturing Zone), and Chapter 17.59 (Ministerial Design Review Permits) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code are amended to read as shown in Exhibit 1, attached herein, with additions denoted by underlined text and deletions denoted by struck-through text.

SECTION 4. Consistency with the General Plan. Municipal Code Text Amendment 26- 02 is consistent with the following Goals and Policies of Sierra Madre General Plan’s Housing Element:

Goal 2.0: Facilitate the provision of a range of housing types to meet community needs.

Policy 2.1: Encourage diversity in the type, size, price and tenure of residential development in Sierra Madre, while maintaining quality of life goals.

Policy 2.4: Provide opportunities for the integration of housing in commercial districts, while maintaining the downtown’s low scale character and ground level retail spaces.

Goal 3.0: Reduce governmental constraints on the maintenance, improvement and development of housing while maintaining community character.

Policy 3.3: Provide flexibility in development standards to accommodate new models and approaches to providing housing, such as co-housing, shared housing, and live/work housing.

The Housing Element promotes a diverse range of housing types, reduced governmental constraints, and flexible mixed-use and innovative housing models while preserving community character and the low-scale downtown environment. The amendment 273251.1
implements this direction by aligning local development standards with State housing law through the use of Objective Design Standards.

SECTION 3. CEQA. This ordinance is exempt is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the "common sense" exemption. The proposed amendment does not authorize or approve the construction of any specific building or structure but instead establishes design regulations that will apply to future development. Because the amendment is limited to setting design standards and will not result in a reasonably foreseeable physical change to the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, and it is therefore not subject to CEQA review.

SECTION 4. Severability. If any sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any part hereof or exhibit hereto is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof or exhibit thereto. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraph, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.

SECTION 5. Certification. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36932, the City Clerk shall certify the passage, approval, and adoption of this Ordinance by the City Council.

SECTION 6. Publication. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36933, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published or posted.

SECTION 7. Records. Pursuant to Government Code Section 40801, proof of certification and publication shall be entered in the book of Ordinances of the City Council.

SECTION 8. Effective Date. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36937, this Ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its adoption.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of June 2026. __________________________
Kristine Lowe, Mayor
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced by first reading on the 9th day of June 2026, and duly adopted at a regular meeting held on the 23th day 273251.1
of June 2026, by the City Council of the City of Sierra Madre, California, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAINED:
___________________________
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
____________________________
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
445040.1
Chapter 17.50 OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS

17.50.010 Purpose and intent.

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide the public, building and design professionals, and decision-makers with objective design criteria for new multifamily residential and mixed-use (residential and commercial) developments in the City.

17.50.020 Applicability.

The City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards apply to all new development projects, regardless of zoning, that meet the following criteria:

A. Multifamily Residential Projects: A project consisting of multifamily residential uses with two or more dwelling units, including detached and attached condominiums and accessory dwelling units created with existing or proposed multifamily development.

B. Mixed-Use Projects: A project featuring a combination of residential and commercial uses where at least twothirds of the square footage of the development is designated for residential uses.

17.50.030 Incorporation of the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards.

The City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards, as may be periodically amended in accordance with Section 17.50.050, are incorporated by reference into this code. A copy of the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards is on file with the planning and community preservation department for use and examination by the public. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential or mixed-use, the requirements of the underlying zone(s) shall prevail. Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override.

17.50.040 Exceptions.

All projects described in Section 17.50.020 are required to comply with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards. However, an applicant may request up to three (3) exceptions if they are unable to meet certain City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards.

A. This provision allows for limited discretionary review and flexibility for projects that may have a physical site constraint or propose an alternative architectural solution to a specific standard(s).

B. Requests shall be made by the applicant in writing to the director as part of the entitlement application.

C. The director has decision-making authority over exception requests. The decision of the director may be appealed to the Planning Commission in accordance with procedures established in Chapter 17.60.

D. Exception request. The written justification for each exception request must identify the design standard(s) requested to be waived and how the request meets the applicable findings listed below.

1. Exception findings. The director shall consider the request and information provided and make findings to approve or deny the request. An exception(s) shall be granted only if both of the following findings are made:
a. The project meets the intent of the design standard(s) under consideration to be waived, or a similar design standard is implemented in substitution. b. There is a specific physical site constraint that precludes compliance with a specific design standard or strict compliance with a specific design standard conflicts with the architectural quality of the proposed development and is mitigated by the application of an architectural solution that achieves a high-quality design.
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2. Density Bonus. An applicant that submits a request for incentives, concessions, or waiver under density bonus law, may not submit an application for an exception

17.50.050 Amendments to the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards.

Any amendments to the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission upon recommendation by the Director. The Planning Commission shall issue a decision by resolution.

Any decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council pursuant to Sierra Madre Municipal Code Section 17.60.120.

Chapter 17.24 R-2 TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE

17.24.030 Standards of development—Generally.

All premises in the R-2 zone shall comply with the standards of development set forth in the following sections. For multifamily residential development, the standards of this Chapter 17.24 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential, the requirements of this Chapter 17.24 shall prevail.

Chapter 17.28 R-3-13 MEDIUM/HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE

17.28.080 Standards of development.

For multifamily residential development, the standards of this Chapter 17.28 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential, the requirements of this Chapter 17.28 shall prevail.

A. Floor Area Ratio:

1. On lots with a gross lot area of less than ten thousand square feet or street frontage of less than fifty feet, the floor area of all above-ground buildings and structures (including garages and other nonhabitable areas, but excluding basements and other fully subterranean areas) shall be limited to fiftyfive percent of the gross lot area.

2. On lots with a gross lot area of ten thousand square feet or greater and with a street frontage of fifty feet or greater, the floor area of all above-ground building and structures (including garages and other non-habitable areas, but excluding basements and other fully subterranean areas) shall be five thousand five hundred square feet plus seventy percent of gross lot area in excess of ten thousand square feet.

3. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2 above, on lots with (i) one dwelling unit, the floor area of all above-ground buildings and structures (including garages and other non-habitable areas, but excluding basements and other fully subterranean areas) shall be limited to thirty-five percent of the gross lot area, (ii) one dwelling unit and one second unit, the floor area of all above-ground buildings and structures (including garages and other non-habitable areas, but excluding basements and other fully subterranean areas) shall be limited to forty percent of the gross lot area, and (iii) two dwelling units, the floor area of all above-ground buildings and structures (including garages and other non-habitable areas, but excluding basements and other fully subterranean areas) shall be limited to forty-five percent of the gross lot area.
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B. Maximum Building Coverage.

1. Building coverage shall not exceed an aggregate of forty-five percent of the lot area. Covered area shall be considered to be the total amount of land covered by residential structures, garages, driveways, and other impermeable surfaces.

2. Decks, permeable patios, porous paving areas, vegetated roof areas, recreational areas, pedestrian walkways and terraces shall not be considered covered areas for the purpose of this standard. An additional fifteen percent in covered area may be added to the aggregate, increasing it to sixty percent with the use of porous surfaces and/or vegetated roof areas.

C. Maximum Building Height. No building shall exceed either thirty feet in height or two stories above grade (see illustration below).

D. Yard and Building Setbacks:

Lot Line Bounded By Building Type Required
Setback (feet)
Front First floor
Second floor
15 feet
25 feet
Rear 10 feet
Side or Rear R-1 zoned lots Structures over one-story
in height
10 feet for height below
20 feet, plus use of
"angle-plane" in
accordance with
subsection F.7 below
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Side An alley or lots zoned
other than R-1
Main or accessory 10% of lot width
5 minimum
15 maximum
Side Public street Main or accessory 10% of lot width
10 minimum
15 maximum
Side An alley Garages opening to
alley
25 from opposite side of
alley
E. Encroachments into setback areas:

1. Garages and other one-story accessory structures may be constructed within three feet of a side or rear property line where the difference between adjoining grades does not exceed one foot and is not adjoining an R-1 zoned property.

2. Walls and fences in accordance with Section 17.48.130.

3. Balconies and Exterior Stairways. No more than one-half of the balconies and exterior stairways shall be permitted to project more than fifty percent of the minimum setback requirement into any required setback areas. The minimum setback from any property line abutting R-1 zoned property shall be ten feet.

4. Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas and similar recreational facilities may be located no closer than five feet from the rear or side property lines, or twenty-five feet from the front property line.

5. Other projections as allowed in accordance with Section 17.48.120.

F. Site Design Requirements.

1. Siting: Building siting should:
a. Maximize privacy through placement of windows, balconies, landscaping, and design of outdoor spaces;
b. Be related to nearby buildings as well as adjacent parcels; c. Be oriented to face the street, avoiding views from the street of parking garages and alleys; d. Minimize negative impact on views from adjacent properties; e. Be oriented to encourage use of outdoor areas and to be compatible with adjoining building orientation; and
f. Cluster buildings and modulate architectural elements to provide pleasing and useful ground level and above ground spaces.

2. Utilities: All utilities shall be placed underground.

3. Landscaping: Landscaping should be designed to minimize impact of development on surrounding properties. Tree preservation and landscaping with specimen trees are encouraged.

4. Contextual design: Building forms and details should be in keeping with adjacent neighborhood character, where appropriate. Where possible, existing single-family houses should be preserved.

5. Building materials: Materials, colors and textures generally should be compatible with those of adjacent and other nearby buildings and the overall character of the neighborhood.

6. Paving: Use of decorative and permeable materials is encouraged.

7. Angle-plane: For yards abutting an R-1 zoned lot, an encroachment limit shall be established which is determined at a point twenty feet above the existing ground level at the setback line as required by 445040.1
subsection D above, and using a forty-five-degree angle inwards toward the property to create additional setback (see illustration below).

8. Articulation: Articulation of exterior walls is encouraged. In no event shall a linear wall of a second story extend longer than thirty-five feet without an offset of a minimum of five feet for a minimum linear distance of ten feet (see illustration below).
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9. Screening: Parking areas, refuse storage, mechanical equipment and the like shall be screened by some combination of walls, plantings or earthworks.

10. Design guidelines: From time to time, the planning commission may promulgate and maintain site design and massing guidelines for use by applicants and the city to guide appropriate development in the R-3-13 zone.

Chapter 17.29 R-3-20 AND R-3-30 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONES

17.29.030 Development regulations.

For multifamily residential development, the standards of this Chapter 17.29 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential, the requirements of this Chapter 17.29 shall prevail. When not in conflict with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards, The the regulations and limitations pertaining to the R-3-13 zone shall control and be effective in the R-3-20 and R-3-30 zones (Chapter 17.28 of this title) for multi-family dwellings, with the following exceptions:

A. Minimum Lot Size. The minimum lot size for new development shall be eleven thousand square feet.

B. Allowable Density. The allowable dwelling unit density of development shall be as follows:
a. R-3-20: Minimum twenty dwelling units/acre, up to twenty-four dwelling units/acre. b. R-3-30: Minimum thirty dwelling units/acre, up to thirty-four dwelling units/acre.

C. Multi-family projects are not subject to the requirements of Section 17.28.070.

D. Yard and Building Setbacks. In the R-3-30 zone only, the minimum front yard setback for the first and second floors shall be fifteen feet.
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E. Height. A third story building element shall be permitted, provided that this element is located more than forty feet away from any public street and has no horizontal dimension longer than forty-five feet.

Additionally, the total floor area of these elements shall equal no greater than twenty percent of the gross lot area. For any project containing a third story, the height limit shall be measured in compliance with the calculation method described in Section 17.20.040 for the R-1 zone, except that the maximum height shall be thirty feet instead of twenty-five feet.

F. Articulation. The standards described in Section 17.28.080.F.8 shall apply to all stories above the first story.

G. Floor Area Ratio. The floor area ratio of developments containing more than eleven dwelling units shall be limited to one hundred percent of the gross lot area, except that pursuant to Government Code 65913.11, the floor area of developments containing eight to ten units shall be limited to one hundred twenty-five percent of the gross lot area.

H. Maximum building coverage requirements shall not apply.

I. Open space. Two hundred fifty square feet per dwelling unit of on-site open space shall be provided on the ground level for use by residents. Open spaces may be common or private. In order to be counted toward the open space requirement, the minimum width and length of each space shall be ten feet.

Driveways and other vehicular access areas shall not count toward the open space requirement.

Chapter 17.32 R-E RESIDENTIAL ENTREPRENEUR OVERLAY ZONE

17.32.020 Standards of development.

For multifamily residential or mixed-use (residential and commercial) development, the standards of the underlying zone shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override.

To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential or mixed-use (residential and commercial), the requirements of the underlying zone shall prevail.

Chapter 17.36 C COMMERCIAL ZONE

17.36.050 Standards of development—Generally.

The development standards set forth in the following sections of this chapter shall apply to all construction within the C zone. For multifamily residential or mixed-use (residential and commercial) development, the standards of this Chapter 17.36 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential or mixed-use (residential and commercial), the requirements of this Chapter 17.36 shall prevail.

Chapter 17.39 RHO RELIGIOUS HOUSING OVERLAY ZONE

17.39.060 Development standards.

For multifamily residential development, the standards of this Chapter 17.39 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be 445040.1
conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential, the requirements of this Chapter 17.39 shall prevail.

A. Off-street Parking.
a. Reutilization of Church Parking. Reductions in parking for church and school uses below the minimum otherwise required by this Municipal Code is permitted to construct development that conforms to the standards of this chapter. The reduction in parking allowed shall be limited to the footprint of the residential structures and accessory structures, open space or landscaping serving the residential development.
b. Residential Parking Standards. Development under the RHO zone is eligible for the alternative or special parking standards described in Section 17.34.070. c. Off-Site Parking. Parking for any on-site use may be located on the same lot as the use the parking will serve. When a parking lot is located on a site other than that on which the facility being served is located, an agreement approved by the city attorney reserving the site for parking purposes shall be recorded in the office of the Los Angeles County recorder. Such off-site parking shall be located no more than six hundred feet walking distance from the nearest point of the building that the parking is required to serve.

B. Height.
a. Height Limit. No building shall exceed either thirty-five feet in height or three stories above grade, as calculated in the manner illustrated in Section 17.28.080.C. b. Height Adjacent to Public Streets. No building shall exceed either thirty feet in height or two stories above grade within forty feet from any public street other than Michillinda Avenue. c. Height Adjacent to R-1 Zone. For yards abutting an R-1 zoned lot, an encroachment limit shall be established which is determined at the point where the wall height is twenty feet, and using a fortyfive-degree angle inwards toward the property to create additional setback. (See illustration in Section

17.28.080.F.7).

C. Front Setback. The minimum front setback shall be fifteen feet for all floors of the building, except along Michillinda Avenue and Baldwin Avenue, where the minimum front setback shall be five feet.

D. Open Space. One hundred seventy-five square feet per dwelling unit of on-site open space shall be provided for use by residents. Such open space may be located on the ground floor or above, and may be met with a combination of common open space and private open space. In order to be counted toward the open space requirement, the minimum width and length of each space shall be ten feet for common spaces and five feet for private spaces. Driveways and other vehicular access areas shall not count toward the open space requirement.

E. Podium Parking Requirements. Any parking constructed at or above grade shall not be oriented along the frontage of any street. Parking constructed partially above grade shall be permitted along the frontage of a street only along Michillinda Avenue.

F. All other development standards shall conform to the requirements of Section 17.28.080, with the exception of lot coverage and floor area ratio standards, which shall not apply.

Chapter 17.40 M MANUFACTURING ZONE

17.40.020 Property development standards.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, projects incorporating uses permitted in the C zone, including residential uses, shall be developed in locations, to development standards, and with required 445040.1
reviews and approvals only as set forth in Chapter 17.36. For multifamily residential or mixed-use (residential and commercial) development, the standards of this Chapter 17.40 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential or mixed-use (residential and commercial), the The regulations set forth in the following sections shall apply to all other uses and development in the M zone.

Chapter 17.58 SMALL HOME LOT DEVELOPMENTS

17.58.050 Development standards.

For multifamily residential development, the standards of this Chapter 17.58 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential, the requirements of this Chapter 17.58 shall prevail.

A. Design and Development Standards. This section incorporates the design and development standards in this code unique to each zone, except as modified by this section.

B. Angle Plane. The angle plane standards in this chapter shall be governed by the angle plane standards in the underlying zone.

C. Building and Design Standards.

1. All the dwelling units shall have consistent exterior wall materials, identified color tones, window types, door and window trims, roofing materials and roof pitch.

2. Roof decks are prohibited.

3. All dwelling units ministerially approved under this chapter will install a new or separate utility connection.

4. All electrical and utility services to a new dwelling unit shall be undergrounded.

5. If an adjoining property installed a solar energy system, the applicant shall submit a shadow study prepared by an engineer licensed by the Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists or by an architect licensed by the California Architects Board. The shadow of any proposed development shall not cover more than ten percent of the area of any solar energy system on any adjoining property.

D. Density Standards. The development must result in at least as many units as the maximum allowable residential density allowed under the zoning ordinance.

E. Fire Safety Standards.

1. All new dwelling units are required to comply with Chapter 15.24 of this code.

2. Where two dwelling units are configured as sharing a common wall, a one-hour fire wall between the units is required.

3. All new dwelling units are required to comply with Chapter 15.24 (Fire Code) and have fire sprinklers.

4. All new dwelling units are required to use fire-resistant building materials.

5. All new dwelling units are required to comply with Chapter 8.36 (Hazardous Brush Clearance) and maintain defensible space around these units.

6. New or modified detached dwelling units shall be separated from any other dwelling unit or building by ten feet to prevent the spread of fire.
445040.1
F. Floor Area Standards.

1. The average total floor area shall not exceed one thousand seven hundred fifty square feet.

2. The total floor area standards in this chapter shall be governed by the floor area standards in the underlying zone.

G. Height Standards. The maximum height standards in this chapter shall be governed by the height standards in the underlying zone.

H. Lot Coverage Standards. The lot coverage standards in this chapter shall be governed by the lot coverage standards in the underlying zone.

I. Lot Size Standards. The maximum lot size may not exceed five acres.

J. Open Space Standards. Two hundred fifty feet per dwelling unit of on-site open space shall be provided on the ground level for use by residents. Open space may be common or private. To be counted toward the open space requirement, the minimum width and length of each space shall be ten feet. Driveways and other vehicular access areas shall not count toward the open space requirement.

K. Parking Standards. The parking standards in this chapter shall be governed by the parking standards in the underlying zone, except that the required parking need not be enclosed or covered.

L. Setback Standards.

1. The front, side, and rear setbacks from the lot line will be determined by the zoning district in which the dwelling unit is located.

2. No setback is required between units, except as required by Title 15 of this code.

3. All portions of the dwelling unit, including eaves, awnings, sills, cornices, chimneys, overhangs and other projections, may encroach into front, side or rear yards or setbacks in a manner consistent with the building design but in no case greater than one foot in depth.

Chapter 17.59 MINISTERIAL DESIGN REVIEW PERMITS

17.59.050 Development standards.

For multifamily residential development, the standards of this Chapter 17.59 shall be considered in combination with the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards (Chapter 17.50). Where there may be conflict, the City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards shall override. To the extent that a development is other than multifamily residential, the requirements of this Chapter 17.59 shall prevail.

A. Design and Development Standards. This section incorporates the design and development standards in this code unique to each zone, except as modified by this section.

B. Angle Plane. The angle plane standards in this chapter shall be governed by the angle plane standards in the underlying zone.

C. Building and Design Standards.

1. For a detached unit, the exterior materials and design shall match the design of any existing primary dwelling unit on the property through the use of the same exterior wall materials, identified color tones, window types, door and window trims, roofing materials and roof pitch.

2. For an attached unit, the exterior materials, windows and other architectural features shall match the existing structure by employing the same building form, color tones, window design, door and window trims, roofing materials and roof pitch.

3. Roof decks are prohibited.
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4. All dwelling units ministerially approved under this chapter will install a new or separate utility connection.

5. All electrical and utility services to a new dwelling unit shall be undergrounded.

6. If an adjoining property installed a solar energy system, the applicant shall submit a shadow study prepared by an engineer licensed by the board of professional engineers, land surveyors, and geologists or by an architect licensed by the California Architects Board. The shadow of any proposed development shall not cover more than ten percent of the area of any solar energy system on any adjoining property.

D. Density Standards. No development may include more than two residential housing units under this chapter and no more than four residential housing units under this code.

E. Fire Safety Standards.

1. All new dwelling units are required to comply with Chapter 15.24 of this code.

2. Where two dwelling units are configured as sharing a common wall, a one-hour fire wall between the units is required.

3. All new dwelling units are required to comply with Chapter 15.24 (Fire Code) and have fire sprinklers.

4. All new dwelling units are required to use fire-resistant building materials.

5. All new dwelling units are required to comply with Chapter 8.36 (Hazardous Brush Clearance) and maintain defensible space around these units.

6. New or modified detached dwelling units shall be separated from any other dwelling unit or building by ten feet to prevent the spread of fire.

F. Floor Area Standards. The total floor area standards in this chapter shall be governed by total floor area standards in the underlying zone.

G. Height Standards. The maximum height standards in this chapter shall be governed by the height standards in the underlying zone. If there is an existing primary dwelling on the parcel, then the maximum height of the existing residence cannot be increased through use of this chapter.

H. Lot Coverage Standards. The lot coverage standards in this chapter shall be governed by the lot coverage standards in the underlying zone.

I. Lot Size Standards.

1. The minimum lot size standards in this chapter shall be governed by the lot size standards in the underlying zone.

K. Parking Standards.

1. One off-street, covered parking space is required for each new dwelling unit.

2. The parking space shall be a dimension of at least ten feet wide, eight feet tall, and twenty feet deep.

3. If a new dwelling unit is located within one-half mile walking distance of either a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155(b), or a major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21064.3, or if there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the parcel, then off-street parking required pursuant to this section shall not apply.

L. Setback Standards.
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1. The front setbacks from the lot line will be determined by the zoning district in which the dwelling unit is located;

2. The minimum side and rear setbacks from the lot line will be four feet.

3. No additional setback is required for a new dwelling unit constructed in the same location as an existing structure on the parcel.

4. All portions of the dwelling unit, including eaves, awnings, sills, cornices, chimneys, overhangs and other projections, may encroach into front, side or rear yards or setbacks in a manner consistent with the building design but in no case greater than one foot in depth.

June 9, 2026
City of Sierra Madre
Objective Design Standards
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 2
Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................................................................................3 Section 1: Site Planning and Access.........................................................................................5

1.1 - 1.5: Street Relationships.......................................................................................................5

1.6 - 1.7: Residential Privacy.........................................................................................................5

1.8 - 1.11: Pedestrian Access.........................................................................................................6

1.12 - 1.13: Parking Areas...............................................................................................................6

1.14 - 1.20: Vehicular Access.........................................................................................................6 Section 2: Building Modulation and Articulation.....................................................................7

2.1 - 2.4: Ground Floor Design.....................................................................................................7

2.5: Circulation Design.................................................................................................................7

2.6: Architectural Projections.....................................................................................................7

2.7: Transparency..........................................................................................................................7

2.8 - 2.16: Variation in Wall Plane................................................................................................8

2.17 - 2.20: Roof Design................................................................................................................9

2.20: Commercial Zone and Historic Resource-Adjacent Development.............................9 Section 3: Materials, Finishes, and Color...............................................................................10

3.1 - 3.6: Materials........................................................................................................................10

3.7 - 3.8: Finishes....................................................................................................................10, 11

3.9 - 3.11: Color..............................................................................................................................11

3.12 - 3.16: Character....................................................................................................................11 Section 4: Frontages.................................................................................................................12 Section 5: Open Space..............................................................................................................13

5.1 - 5.4: General Open Space....................................................................................................13

5.5 - 5.11: Common Open Space................................................................................................13

5.12: Private Open Space............................................................................................................13 Common Open Space Heirarchy..............................................................................................14 Section 6: Entries......................................................................................................................15

6.1 - 6.3: Entry Locations.............................................................................................................15

6.4 - 6.7: Entry Design.................................................................................................................15

6.8- 6.9: Security Features.........................................................................................................15 Section 7: Exterior Lighting......................................................................................................16

7.1 - 7.4: Lighting Along Walkways..............................................................................................16

7.5: Design of Lighting.................................................................................................................16

7.6: Landscape Lighting..............................................................................................................16 Section 8: Walls and Fences.....................................................................................................17

8.1: Screening................................................................................................................................17

8.2 - 8.4: Wall and Fence Height................................................................................................17

8.5 - 8.8: Design of Walls and Fences.......................................................................................17

8.9: Location of Walls and Fences.............................................................................................17 Section 9: Loading Areas, Trash and Utilities.........................................................................18

9.1: Commercial Loading Areas.................................................................................................18

9.2: Screening Loading Areas....................................................................................................18

9.3 - 9.4: Trash Enclosures & Location.....................................................................................18

9.5 - 9.6: Utility Location.............................................................................................................18 Appendix A: Frontage Standards.............................................................................................19 A.1: Shopfront...............................................................................................................................19 A.2: Common Entry....................................................................................................................20 A.3: Stoop.....................................................................................................................................21 A.4: Porch.....................................................................................................................................22 A.5: Patio......................................................................................................................................23 A.6: Surface Parking...................................................................................................................24 A.7: Structured Parking..............................................................................................................25 Appendix B: Common Open Space Types..............................................................................26 B.1: Community Plazas and Commons....................................................................................26 B.2: Neighborhood Parks and Recreational Amenity Areas.................................................27 B.3: Courtyards............................................................................................................................27 B.4: Forecourts............................................................................................................................29 B.5: Pocket Parks........................................................................................................................28 B.6: Paseos...................................................................................................................................29 B.7: Passthroughs.......................................................................................................................29 B.8: Alley Walkways/Green Alleys............................................................................................30 B.9: Shared Yards.......................................................................................................................30 B.10: Terraces and Decks...........................................................................................................31 B.11: Rooftop Decks.....................................................................................................................31 B.12: Green Roofs........................................................................................................................32 Appendix C: Private Open Space Types..................................................................................33 C.1: Balconies...............................................................................................................................33 C.2: Patios....................................................................................................................................32 C.3: Private Rooftop Decks.......................................................................................................34 C.4: Private Yards........................................................................................................................34 C.5: Porches.................................................................................................................................35 Appendix D: Definitions...........................................................................................................36 Appendix E: SGVCOG Regional Objective Design Standards Research Memorandum.....39 Appendix F: Additional Project Background Information.....................................................44 External Image Sources............................................................................................................45 CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 3
Introduction

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Several state housing laws, including SB 167, SB 423,
SB 330, SB 4, and AB 2011, strongly incentivize cities
to develop objective design standards for multifamily
residential uses and mixed (residential + commercial)
uses. A summary of each law is given in Appendix E.

By adopting Objective Design Standards (ODS), the
City of Sierra Madre maintains the ability to impose
design standards on multifamily residential and mixed
use developments.

Per SB 423, Objective Design Standards "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 applicant or developer and
the public official before submittal.” Providing this
level of certainty and clarity introduces predictability in the review process. Together with other state
requirements such as clear timelines for decisions
to approve or deny a project and a limitation on the
number of public meetings, these Objective Design
Standards are intended to streamline the approval
process for housing units while maintaining good
design.

STANDARDS APPLICABILITY
The City of Sierra Madre Objective Design Standards
are designed to apply to projects which qualify
for State laws that may encourage or require the
application of objective design standards in project
review. These projects include:
• All new residential developments with two or
more housing units
• The residential and commercial components
of new construction mixed-use developments
with two or more housing units, where at
least two-thirds of the total square footage is
residential. However, note that per AB 1893,
for mixed-use projects with at least 500 units,
only 50 percent of the total square footage in
the project must be residential for objective
design standards to apply
• However, mixed-use projects containing hotel
rooms are excluded.

The standards are also designed to apply to
remodeled buildings where new floor area is added.

In such a case, these standards would apply to those
structures and facades which are being modified
in order to accommodate the new floor area; other
facades or buildings on the site would not be subject
to these standards.

See Chapter 17.50 (Objective Design Standards) of
the Sierra Madre Municipal Code which regulates the
application of objective design standards in the City.

INTERPRETATION AND DEVIATION
The next sections contain objective design standards
relating to different topics. The standards are
regulatory objective design standards with which all
applicable developments must comply. Diagrams are
provided for illustrative purposes only.

While the standards have been formulated to be
"uniformly verifiable" as State law sets out, there can nevertheless be differences of opinion about whether
a project has met the standard. For these cases,
Government Code Section 65589.5 (f)(1) states, "...
the development standards, conditions, and policies
shall be applied to facilitate and accommodate
development at the density permitted on the site and
proposed by the development."
Projects are able to deviate from objective design
standards via the Objective Design Standards
Exception process, see Sierra Madre Municipal Code
Section 17.05.040. Project applicants may request up
to 3 exceptions from ODS standards. This exception
process is meant for applicants whose sites have
a physical constraint or for applicants who wish to
propose an alternative architectural solution for a
standard. In the written request for an exception(s)
the applicant must meet the following findings: 1) The
project meets the intent of the applicable objective
design standard from which they are requesting
exception and 2) There is a physical site constraint
that precludes compliance with the applicable
objective design standard or strict compliance with
the standard would conflict with the architectural
quality of the project and the proposed solution
achieves high quality design. Either the Planning and
Community Preservation Director (Director) or the
Planning Commission, as applicable, reviews and is
the deciding authority for written exception requests.

The applicant is able to appeal the Director's decision to Planning Commission or City Council, as applicable.

See page 80 for more information.

STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
These City of Sierra Madre Objective Design
Standards were prepared by The Arroyo Group in
cooperation with the City of Sierra Madre to provide
clear, objective, and measurable standards for
multifamily and mixed use development, satisfying
the demands of state law. This Standards document
was derived from the Regional Objective Design
Standards document which was developed by The
Arroyo Group on behalf of the San Gabriel Valley
Council of Governments (SGVCOG).

Design Goals
Several key goals that guided the development of the
standards were:
• Visually and functionally link the private realm to
the public realm
• Facilitate pedestrian activity and safety
• Activate the public realm
• Encourage projects to exhibit a cohesive visual
identity that is consistent with the character of
the area
• Prioritize human-scaled design
• Safeguard residential privacy as well as proper
screening and buffering
Standards Organization
Regulatory standards are organized contained within
the following sections by the following topics:
• Section 1: Site Planning and Access
• Section 2: Building Modulation and Articulation
• Section 3: Materials, Finishes, and Color
• Section 4: Frontages
• Section 5: Open Space
• Section 6: Entries
• Section 7: Exterior Lighting
• Section 8: Walls and Fences
• Section 9: Loading Areas, Trash and Utilities
• Appendix A: Frontage Standards
• Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
• Appendix C: Private Open Space Types
• Appendix D: Definitions
Block Scale Context
House Scale Context

HOUSE AND BLOCK SCALE
Due to the varying multifamily structure forms in
the City, the City of Sierra Madre's Objective Design
Standards groups multifamily buildings into two
categories, house scale and block scale, according
to their physical form and scale. Standards only apply
within one of the two categories if specified. The
following zones are considered house-scale: Medium/
High Density Residential (R-3-13), High Density
Residential (R-3-20 and R-3-30), Manufacturing (M).

The Commercial (C) and Religious Housing Overlay
(RHO) zones are considered block-scale.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 4
Introduction

BEST PRACTICES
The five best practices identified in Exhibit B of The
Arroyo Group's Regional Objective Design Standards
Research Memorandum (attached to this document
as Appendix E) are listed below. The City of Sierra
Madre Objective Design Standards take these
regional best practices into account.

1. Provide guidelines or statements of
intent along with objective standards.

The SGVCOG's Regional Objective Design
Standards are based on statements of intent
which clarify the intent of each standards
section. Cities may choose to allow variations
to objective design standards as long as the
project matches the intent statement for the
applicable standard.

2. Provide options of different strategies to
meet the intent of standards. Developers
may choose the standard which suits the
design of their development best.

3. Use clear diagrams along with photographic
examples to represent standards. Clear
graphics and imagery will provide as much
clarity as possible for developers who are
adapting their projects to meet the objective
design standards.

4. Provide definitions for architectural terms.

For complex architectural terms, the provided
definition will provide clarity where needed,
making the objective design standards
understandable to a variety of audiences.

5. Take into account the context of unique
cities and districts to ensure that standards
are apt. Fieldwork in a variety of contexts
representative of the San Gabriel Valley helped
inform the standards. Different objective
design standards will be applicable in different
contexts, such as smaller scale neighborhoods
versus main street commercial corridors.

These standards have been crafted to encourage new,
well designed residential and mixed use development
that fits the context of the City of Sierra Madre (see the top row of images). They establish a "floor" for design quality, thereby preventing undesirable, incompatible
design (see the bottom row of images).

Large portion of frontage dominated by surface parking
and a driveway
Lack of landscaping between the duplex and the street
frontage.

The Kensington, Sierra Madre. Successfully designed
mixed use building, ground floor commercial uses and
upper floor residential units
Lack of relationship between units and frontage
Townhomes at 102 Esperanza, Sierra Madre. Successful
relationship between the townhome unit and the public
realm, in addition to well designed landscaping
Sierra Vista Apartments, Sierra Madre. Successful
implementation of Craftsman architecture and well
designed private open space balconies
Examples of Well Designed Buildings:

Examples of Undesirable or Incompatible Design:

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 5
Section 1: Site Planning and Access
INTENT
Buildings should be placed and oriented to reinforce
a pedestrian-oriented public realm and to establish a
strong visual and physical relationship with adjacent
streets, sidewalks, and open spaces. Site planning
should prioritize pedestrian access and activity by
aligning building frontages along public streets,
paseos, plazas, and other publicly accessible spaces,
and by minimizing blank walls, excessive setbacks,
and parking along street edges. Primary entrances,
active ground-floor uses, and transparent facades
should be oriented toward the public realm to support
walkability, safety, and street vitality.

Site design should emphasize open spaces and
the public realm, enhancing connectivity by linking
building entrances to sidewalks, transit stops, open
spaces, parking areas, and neighboring parcels.

Access points should be legible and well integrated
into the surrounding circulation network, while
vehicular and service access should be designed
to minimize conflicts with pedestrians and reduce
impacts on the public realm. Overall site planning
should activate streets and open spaces and
contribute to a cohesive, human-scaled environment.

STANDARDS
Street Relationships

1.1 The primary entrance to all buildings adjacent to
a public street shall be visible from the sidewalk
and directly connected via a pedestrian pathway

1.2 All projects shall comply with the Frontage Type
Standards in Section 4.

1.3 In house-scale zones, the length of any building
along the primary street shall not exceed 80'.

However if the ground floor is broken by an opening
of at least ten feet wide and ten feet high, leading
to a visible interior courtyard or other common
open space on the ground level, the building may
continue above one such opening. The length of
any building, along a secondary street shall not
exceed 150 feet.

1.4 In block-scale zones, the length of any building
along a public street shall not exceed 350 feet.

1.5 Developments with at least 150 feet of frontage
along the primary street shall include at least one
of the following open spaces along the primary
street:
a. A community plaza, commons, forecourt, or
publicly accessible neighborhood park.
b. A terrace of a minimum 50 feet deep and 15
percent of the primary frontage width above
the first level.
c. A paseo is provided from the primary street,
connecting to a courtyard in the interior of the
site.

All open spaces shall comply with standards
defined in Section 5: and Appendices B and C,
as applicable.

Residential Privacy

1.6 When units face each other through the open air
at a distance of less than 30 feet, windows shall
be offset, or screened with landscaping as shown
in the diagram, at a rate of one tree per 30 feet of
buffer length. Landscaping shall be of sufficient
density and height to provide effective visual
separation between units. In house scale zones
only, this standard shall also apply to units built to
face existing units on an adjoining property.

1.7 When residential buildings are located within 10'
of one another, windows on the facing building
facades shall avoid unfiltered or direct views by
one or more of the following:
a. Utilize non-transparent or obscured glazing,
such as frosted or patterned glass, glass block,
or non-operable opaque windows. Reflective
glazing is not permitted.
b. Provide permanent architectural screens,
permanent roll-down blinds or affixed louvers
at windows.
c. Utilize clerestory windows a minimum height
of six feet from the ground or floor plate.
d. Inset window or add projecting architectural
feature that creates privacy
e. Offset or stagger windows from each other

1.5: Developments with at least 150' of frontage along
primary street shall include at least one of the following open spaces
Terrace
Community plaza, Commons, Forecourt,
or Publicly Accessible Neighborhood Park
May be located on
corner or midblock
Connects to
Interior Courtyard
Paseo

1.6: Windows within 30 ft offset or screened

1.3: Continuation of a building above an opening leading to a visible interior courtyard or common open space on the ground level.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 6
Section 1: Site Planning and Access
Primary Street
Alley
≥350’
One per project,
or two per project if
>700’ street frontage
Side Street
Primary Street
Alley
Side Street
Permied Vehicular Access Point Location
Preferred Vehicular Access Point Location
Primary Street
Side Street
Alley

1.14: Preferred and permitted vehicular access point
locations
Pedestrian Access

1.8 Pedestrian walkways shall connect all primary
entries to public sidewalks. The Director may
approve a shared pedestrian walkway/vehicular
driveway in house-scale zones, provided that the
walkway is paved with stone , tile or brick, and
the driveway serves no more than eight parking
spaces.

1.9 Pedestrian walkways shall be a minimum of four
feet wide, shall be hard-surfaced, and paved with
concrete, stone, tile, brick or comparable material.

1.10 Where a required walkway is parallel and
adjacent to a driveway or parking space, it must
be separated from the auto travel surface by a
raised curb at least four inches high, bollards, or
other physical barrier.

1.11 The primary entry shall be separated by at least
ten feet from any driveway or parking space.

Parking Areas

1.12 Surface parking areas shall be shielded from
view of the public right of way by a building or a
landscaped buffer as described in the Frontage
Type Standards in Appendix A.6.

1.13 Parking structures developed as part of a private
development shall not be taller than the buildings
which they serve.

Vehicular Access

1.14 Vehicular access points to parking areas shall
be taken from the side street or alley, if available,
except for projects which meet the following
criteria:
a. 350-700 feet primary street frontage - one
vehicular access point from the primary street
b. Over 700 feet + primary street frontage - two
vehicular access points from the primary
street
c. Projects with less than 350 feet of primary
frontage are allowed one vehicular access
point from the primary street only if no side
street or alley access is available.

There shall be no curb cuts along Sierra Madre
Boulevard between Hermosa Avenue and Baldwin
Avenue, and no curb cuts along Baldwin Avenue
between Sierra Madre Boulevard and Montecito
Avenue.

This standard may be waived if the Planning and
Community Preservation Department determines
that an alternate access point is needed for safe
traffic flow, or the Fire Department determines
that additional access points are needed for fire
lanes.

1.15 Curb cuts on corner lots shall not be located closer than 40 feet from a curb return in house-scale
zones, 80 feet in block-scale zones. Additionally,
curb cuts shall not be located closer than 150 feet
from a curb return on Principal Arterials. Where
parcel size precludes this standard, the curb cut
shall be located as far from the corner as possible.

1.16 Sharing of driveways between adjacent properties
is permitted and encouraged. Easements shall be
established as necessary.

1.17 Driveways in house-scale zones shall be paved
with concrete or pavers. Areas on driveways that
are paved with permeable pavers may count
toward minimum landscaping or stormwater
retention requirements, provided that they comply
with the standards established in those sections.

1.18 In house-scale zones, a one-way driveway, or
two-way driveway serving up to eight (8) parking
spaces, shall have a minimum nine feet and
maximum 11 feet width. A two-way driveway
serving between eight and 20 parking spaces
shall have a minimum 16 feet and maximum 22
feet width. A two-way driveway serving more than
20 parking spaces shall have a minimum 20 feet
and maximum 22 feet width. The maximum may
be exceeded if required by the Fire Department.

1.19 In block-scale zones, a one-way driveway, or twoway driveway serving up to eight parking spaces, shall have a minimum 9 feet and maximum 11 feet
width. A two-way driveway serving more than eight
parking spaces shall have a minimum 20 feet and
maximum 22 feet width. The maximum may be
exceeded if required by the Fire Department.

1.20 Entry door and gates to any parking structure
shall be recessed back from the face of the facade
by a minimum of six inches to add shadow and
visual interest, or by a greater distance from the
sidewalk for traffic safety purposes as required by
the Public Works Department.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 7
Section 2: Building Modulation and Articulation
INTENT
The individual components of each building should
contribute meaningfully to the overall architectural
character, expressing a coherent form and style
consistent with the project’s design vision. Each
project can be classified within one of two defined
scales, House Scale or Block Scale, as outlined in
the introduction.

Within each scale, building articulation should serve
to enrich the external appearance and architectural
identity of the structure while facilitating a thoughtful and seamless transition between the public realm and
private spaces. Modulation and form-making should
convey visual interest and a sense of rhythm, achieved
through a deliberate composition of elements
that reflect both the individuality of the building
and its contextual relationship to the surrounding
architecture. Building form and articulation should
emphasize three-dimensional detailing, create visual
interest on the façade, and foster a built environment
that is contextually responsive.

Standards
Ground Floor Design

2.1 In block-scale zones, buildings of three stories in height or more shall be designed to differentiate a
building’s base from the rest of the structure. The
area designed as the base should correspond to
an area that has a different use from the upper
floors of the building, e.g. retail, lobbies, or
amenities. In the case of a single-use building,
the area designed as a base may correspond to
floor(s) with less private spaces on the frontage,
such as living rooms in a 100 percent residential
building, or simply the first floor of the structure.

2.2 The effect of differentiation on a building shall be achieved through the use of two or more of the
following:
a. Color, texture, or material changes along the
building facade
b. Variations, projections, or reveals in the wall
plane
c. Variations in fenestration size or pattern
d. Decorative architectural details such as
arcades, pilasters, base courses, belt courses,
or cornices at intermediate levels

2.3 Where a daylit basement with an exposed wall
is proposed, a minimum of two of the following
design standards shall be provided along all
street-facing facades:
a. Porches or stoops
b. Material cladding that matches the cladding of
the floors above when located along the same
wall plane
c. A landscape area with a minimum width of
five feet, planted with plant species that, at
maturity, reach the finish floor height above
the basement

2.4 For buildings that provide a top-level stepback,
the stepback shall be a minimum of 10 feet,
measured from the exterior wall plane along each
building façade.

Circulation Design

2.5 Vertical circulation elements, including but not
limited to stairwells, stair shafts, and elevator
shafts, that are located along exterior walls facing
a primary or secondary frontage shall be clearly
expressed as visually identifiable volumes on
the building façade through the incorporation
of at least two of the following objective design
methods:
a. A minimum two-foot change in wall plane
(projection or recession) along the portion of
the façade containing the vertical circulation
element.
b. A color, texture, or material change that clearly
contrasts with the primary façade material.
c. Decorative architectural detailing, such as
vertical reveals, pilasters, or a consistent
fenestration pattern, applied evenly across the
full height of the vertical circulation volume.
d. A minimum 18-inch variation in the roofline
or roof plane corresponding to the vertical
circulation element.

Architectural Projections

2.6 Architectural projections, including but not limited to architectural pop-outs, canopies, awnings,
balconies, bay windows, eaves, chimneys, and
similar architectural features, shall project a
minimum of two feet from the exterior wall plane.

Transparency

2.7 Facades of residential floors shall have a maximum
transparency of 60 percent. Glazing which does
not meet the visible light transmittance and
external reflectance standards identified in the
"Transparency" definition (see Appendix D) is not
permitted along the facades of residential floors.

2.2: Approaches to base differentiation
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 8
Section 2: Building Modulation and Articulation
Variation in Wall-Plane

2.8 For block-scale buildings of three or more stories, any building façade facing a public street or alley
shall include a minimum of one variation in wallplane depth for every 50 feet of facade length along the street.

2.9 The wall-plane variations shall also meet all of the following requirements:
a. Each wall-plane variation shall project or
recess a minimum of two feet from the
adjacent wall-plane
b. Wall-plane variations that occur at recessed
balconies are permitted
c. Each wall-plane variation shall have a minimum
height of two full stories. The variation shall
not incorporate the base and upper story,
unless the variation extends for the height of
the entire building.
d. The average depth of all wall-plane variations
across each façade shall be a minimum of 4
feet
e. When feasible wall-plane variations shall
be located in areas that correspond to the
building’s programmatic floor plan, including,
but not limited to, building entries, private or
common open spaces, stairs and elevator
cores, or corridors. At least 50 percent of wall
plane variations shall be located where an
interior wall dividing interior spaces intersects
the exterior wall.

2.10 Buildings in house-scale zones shall have a
maximum length of blank walls without windows,
doors, or material changes of 25 feet in any
direction.

2.11 Buildings in block-scale zones shall have a
maximum length of blank walls without windows,
doors, or material changes of 35 feet in any
direction.

2.12 In the M zone, any building facade facing a
public street or alley shall include a minimum
of one variation in wall-plane depth for every 30
feet of facade length along the street. The wallplane variations shall also meet all of the following requirements:
a. Each wall-plane variation shall project or
recess a minimum of two feet from the
adjacent wall-plane.
b. Wall-plane variation that occur at recessed
balconies are permitted
c. Each wall-plane variation shall extend a
minimum of one full story in height
d. The average depth of all wall-plane variations
across each façade shall be a minimum of four
feet
e. When feasible wall-plane variations shall
be located in areas that correspond to the
building’s programmatic floor plan, including,
but not limited to, building entries, private or
common open spaces, stairs and elevator
cores, or corridors.

2.13 The Director may approve an exception to
the wall plane standards (2.8-2.16) when using
modular construction, and when an alternative
method is demonstrated that creates definition,
shadow and depth along a facade.

2.14 In house-scale zones except for the M zone,
linear walls of second stories shall not extend
longer than thirty-five feet without an offsetting
of the wall a minimum of five feet depth for a
minimum horizontal distance of ten feet.

2.15 Where permitted, In house-scale zones, third
story building elements shall be located more
than 40 feet away from any public street and have
no horizontal dimension longer than 45 feet, per
SMMC 17.29.030 (E).

2.16 Where wall-plane variations occur at balconies,
each balcony shall incorporate a minimum of two
of the following design standards:
a. An accent pattern, material, and/or color
shall be applied to the balcony projection
components and supporting elements to
differentiate them from the primary building
façade
b. An accent pattern, material, and/or color
shall be applied to the balcony’s recessed
wall, typically oriented parallel to the building
façade

2.14: Required wall-plane breaks along street frontages in house-scaled zones
>10’
35’
>10’
35’
10’
35’ 5’
5’
>10’
35’
>10’
35’
10’
35’ 5’
5’

2.12: Required wall-plane breaks along street frontages in the M zone

2.8, 2.9: Required wall-plane breaks in block-scale zones 50’
50’
50’
50’
2’ Min.
4’ Avg.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 9
Section 2: Building Modulation and Articulation
20’
+15’ Max.

New
Construction
Historic
Resource or
C-Zone Building
New
Construction
Historic
Resource or
C-Zone Building
20’

2.20 a,b: Expression Line and Transitional Height
adjacent to historic resources or C zone buildings

2.20 c,d: Setback requirements adjacent to a historic
resource or C zone building
c d
c. The balcony floor and railing shall be offset a
minimum of four two feet from the adjoining
wall plane on either side of the balcony.

Roof Design

2.17 New buildings in house-scale zones shall have
hipped or gable roofs. The maximum roof pitch
is 6:12, except for buildings constructed in the
Craftsman style, which may have a pitch of up to
8:12.

New buildings in the C (Commercial) Zone shall have
flat roofs with parapets along all street frontages.

2.18 The building roof height or roof form shall have
a minimum of one roof variation for every 50
feet of façade length along the street. Each roof
variation shall meet at least one of the following
requirements:
a. A change in roof plane that results in a
minimum two-foot projection or recession,
measured perpendicular to the façade.
b. A shift in the roof line of 18 inches or greater,
measured vertically from the highest point of
the adjoining roof line(s).
c. The use of a dormer, gable, ridge break, offset
eave, or similar architectural element that
creates a minimum five-foot horizontal break
or relief in the roof plan before continuation of
the primary roof form.

2.19 Roof forms shall terminate in a manner that
accurately expresses the true building volume and
prevents the appearance of a false or enlarged
building mass. All roof terminations shall comply
with the standards in this section.
a. When a sloped roof adjoins a side wall or a
shared lot line, the sloped roof profile shall
terminate directly at the lot line or side wall.

The sloped form shall not wrap, project
beyond, or extend around the adjoining wall
or lot line
b. Flat roof parapets may extend along the rear
façade, side wall, or shared lot line, provided
the parapet accurately reflects the true
building mass and does not imply additional
interior volume
c. Where a roof parapet transitions from or
connects to a sloped roof form, the parapet
shall extend to the point necessary to maintain
the continuity of the sloped roof profile
d. Where a roof parapet extends beyond the
roof plane, the parapet return shall measure
a minimum of six feet, measured horizontally
from the roof edge, before terminating or
changing direction
Commercial Zone and Historic Resource-Adjacent
Development

2.20 Any development located within the C
(Commercial) zone, and any development
located immediately adjacent to a designated
historic resource, shall comply with the following
standards:
a. The building façade along the primary or
secondary front of new development shall
incorporate a ground floor expression line or
entablature that aligns with the height of the
corresponding architectural feature on the
adjacent historical resource. Where there are
two existing historical resource buildings abut
the site, the resource with the taller expression
line applies.
b. The height within the first 20 feet of the
development shall be no more than 15 feet
greater than the historic resource.
c. The side setback shall match the side setback
of the historic resource, up to a maximum of
15 feet.
d. The street-facing setback of the 20 feet
adjacent to the historic resource shall be
no less than the average of the minimum
permitted setback on the development
property, and the existing setback of the
historic resource.

2.19 a,c.: Roof termination
50’
6’
a
c

2.18 a,b.: Roof form variation options
2’
18”
50’

2.18 c.: Roof form variation options
5’ Min.
50’
a
b
c
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 10
Guidelines Section 3: Materials, Finishes, and Color
INTENT
The selection of materials, finishes, and colors shall
embody a cohesive visual identity, ensuring that all
architectural elements work in harmony to create
a unified and refined composition. Building colors
and materials should reflect and complement the
character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Materials must be chosen not only for their aesthetic
qualities but also for their enduring performance—
demonstrating resilience, longevity, and ease of
maintenance over time. Color palettes should
contribute to the vibrancy and visual richness of
the community while maintaining compatibility with
adjacent structures and businesses.

Exterior materials and finishes are to be of professional and high-quality grade, appropriately aligned with the
building’s architectural style, scale, and character.

Particular emphasis should be placed on the use
of tactile, human-scaled materials at the building’s
base, where detail, texture, and craftsmanship are
most perceptible to the passerby, thereby enhancing
the pedestrian experience and reinforcing a sense of
material authenticity.

STANDARDS
Materials

3.1 A minimum of two distinct exterior materials shall
be used on any building façade, exclusive of glazing,
railings, trim, or other architectural features. An
exception to this standard may be permitted by
the Director only when a single material is of a
high-quality grade, durable, and is professionally
applied with a finish that demonstrates superior
craftsmanship, texture, and proportional detailing.

3.2 If a base material is utilized, the allowable
materials shall be limited to stone, brick, precast
concrete, or porcelain tile. Refer to Standard 2.1
for designated location of base material. When a
base material is applied, the following standards
shall apply:
a. Heavier materials, including stone, brick and
precast concrete, shall be located below
lighter materials, such as stucco, siding, and
wall paneling, to establish a visually grounded
and structurally appropriate composition
b. Porcelain tile shall be used only as an accent
wall or as a bulkhead material
c. Base materials used as bulkhead shall have a
minimum height of 18 inches and a maximum
height of 42 inches for appropriate course
sizing and a human-scale appearance.

3.3 All exterior storefront frames, window frames,
and storefront doors shall match in either material
and color, and/or color and finish. An exception
to this standard shall apply only when a door
is required to comply with the building code to
use a specific glazing or framing material that
would otherwise deviate from this standard; in
such cases, only the color and/or finish shall be
required to remain consistent.

3.4 Accent and trim elements, including but not
limited to window trim and casings, window sills,
door trim and surrounds, lintels, fascia boards,
soffits, brackets, corbels, pilasters, trim moldings,
parapet caps or coping, and trellis or pergola
elements, shall differ from the primary exterior
materials in material, color, or texture.

3.5 Material changes shall not occur at building
corners. The same material shall continue around
the corner for a minimum distance of six (6) feet or
at a logical termination point where the material
shall extend to the next change in the wall plane.

3.3: Consistent color and materials for trim elements

3.1: Superior finish and detail on single-material building

3.6: Material transitions along inside corners or with trim element

3.6 Material transitions shall comply with the
following standards:
a. Material transitions along building facades
shall occur on the inside corners where a
change in plane is present.
b. When material changes occur on the same
plane, the transition shall be delineated by
a trim, cornice, reveal, or other architectural
elements that provide separation between
materials.
c. At the building base or uppermost floors(s),
material transitions shall occur only where a
change in plane is at least two inches from the
primary wall surface.

Finishes

3.7 All exterior wall surfaces shall be finished with
high-quality, durable materials designed and
installed to ensure long-term performance. The
following standards shall apply:
a. Exposed wood materials shall be sealed,
stained, or painted with a weather-resistant
finish
b. Wood siding materials shall be factoryfinished or field-finished in accordance with manufacturer specification
c. Stucco shall be applied using a minimum
three-coat system (scratch, brown, and
finish coats) or a two-coat system over lath,
in accordance with ASTM or manufacturer’s
standards
d. Stone veneer shall be natural or manufactured
masonry units mechanically fastened or
supported by a shelf angle where required
e. Precast concrete panels shall have an integral
color and sealed finish
f. Metal wall panels shall be factory-finished with
a high-performance coating such as a PVDF
(Kynar) or equivalent
g. All exterior paint, stain, or protective coatings
shall have a minimum manufacturer-rated
lifespan of 10 years
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 11
Guidelines Section 3: Materials, Finishes, and Color

3.9: Facade Colors Permitted

3.8 The following exterior materials and finishes shall not be permitted on any building façade:
a. Fluorescent, neon, or reflective colors or
materials shall not be permitted.
b. Unfinished concrete masonry unit (CMU)
block or unfinished precast concrete shall not
be permitted
c. Unfinished lumber or exposed panel sheathing
shall not be permitted
d. Metal, vinyl, or composite materials with a
faux, artificial, or synthetic imitation of natural
materials shall not be permitted Vinyl siding
and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) panels shall
be prohibited as primary exterior wall materials
e. Natural materials in their natural state,
including but not limited to stone, brick, or
copper, that are painted or coated with color
shall not be permitted
Color

3.9 No more than two (2) primary colors and two
(2) secondary colors shall be permitted on any
building façade. Primary colors shall be applied
to the main body of the building and its major
volumes, while secondary colors shall be limited
to accentuating architectural elements and
details. The following standards shall apply:
a. Secondary colors shall not exceed 20 percent
of each facade of the building
b. For block-scale projects, one additional color
may be permitted, which may be applied as
either a primary or secondary color
c. Each masonry, stone, or precast concrete
material incorporated on the building façade
shall count toward the maximum number of
permitted primary or secondary colors
d. Artwork and murals incorporated into the
project shall be exempt from this standard

3.10 Primary colors shall consist of colors within the
following families: white, off-white, beige, taupe,
tan, brown, gray, muted green, rust, ochre or olive.

Flourescent, neon and highly reflective colors are
prohibited on building facades. Metallic colors
shall not be used as a primary color.

3.11 Trim, windows, doors, storefront framing
systems, and key architectural features shall differ
in color than the adjacent wall surface.

Character

3.12 For partially submerged parking podiums and
daylit basements that project above grade, the
following material and color standards shall apply:
a. Where basement walls are aligned with the
upper floor levels, then material cladding and/
or color shall match the cladding of the floor(s)
above.
b. Where basement walls are offset from the
upper floor levels, the material shall be distinct
from the remainder of the façade above and
shall project a minimum of 1 inch from the wall
surface, with an appropriate transition detail
provided at the interface.
c. Basement ventilation louvers shall have a color
finish that matches the adjacent basement
walls.

3.13 Materials for mechanical screening elements
shall match the building’s exterior materials,
including roofing material in material and color
and/or color and finish. The material shall be
solid or composed of no more than 23 percent
open area, evenly distributed. If metal materials
are used for screening, the same exterior finish
standards shall apply in accordance with 3.7.

3.14 Exposed rain gutters and downspouts shall be
finished in an accent color consistent with the
building’s secondary color palette or shall be
concealed by matching the color to the adjacent
exterior walls. All such elements shall comply with
the exterior finish standards set forth in 3.7.

3.10, 3.14 : Contrast colors used to accent and complement color palette of facade

3.15 Roof materials and colors shall complement the
materials and colors of the building façades and
shall provide a durable, weather-resistant finish in
accordance with the following standards:
a. A weather-resistant roofing product rated for a
minimum service life of 20 years, including but
not limited to metal roofing, clay or concrete
tile, slate, architectural asphalt shingles, or an
equivalent material approved for the project’s
climate zone, shall be used for all primary roof
surfaces.
b. All visible roof surfaces shall utilize the same
primary roofing material, except where a
distinct architectural design feature is used,
such as an accent roof, tower element, or
entry overhang.
c. Roof colors shall complement exterior wall
colors, trim, and architectural accent features
across all elevations.
d. Roof colors and finishes shall be limited
to matte, low-sheen, and non-reflective
coatings to reduce glare, unless required to
meet applicable solar-reflectance or cool-roof
standards.

3.16 Vehicles in parking structures shall not be readily visible from a public street or publicly-accessible
open space. Any parking structure that is greater
than 150 feet long or 20 feet high along a public
street should additionally conceal vehicles and
enhance facade quality through at least one of the
following elements:
a. Large public art element covering the frontage
space allowing
b. Green wall or other landscape covering
c. Louvers with windows
d. Material, fenestration, and detail pattern that
mimics the rest of the development
2 Primary
2 Secondary
1 Secondary
1 Primary
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 12
Section 4: Frontages

4.1, 4.2: Table of frontage types permitted for each use and zoning designation.

Shopfront Frontage Common Entry Frontage
Structured
Parking Frontage
INTENT
The design of a building’s street frontage is among
its most critical elements and is therefore subject to
close regulation. Street frontages play a central role in shaping an active and safe public realm by establishing appropriate levels of visibility, engagement, and
privacy based on context and ground-floor use.

Ground-floor commercial frontages should promote
transparency, public visibility, and permeability, while ground-floor residential frontages should provide a
clear and comfortable transition from public sidewalks
to semi-private outdoor spaces, entry doors, and
interior living areas, with private bedrooms and more
secluded spaces located away from or above the
street frontage. Given the wide range of ground-floor
uses and neighborhood contexts, this document
defines multiple frontage types, each with tailored
standards intended to support both functional
performance and contextual compatibility. Street
frontages may also be filled with open spaces per the
requirements of Section 5. However, buildings along
such open spaces may also be subject to frontage
requirements (see 4.5).

STANDARDS

4.1 The first floor of each building where a property
line meets a public street right-of-way shall be
designed in accordance with one or more of the
following frontage types permitted in its applicable
zoning district. General guidelines for where each
frontage type is applicable are given in the table.

Each applicant shall submit a diagram indicating
which frontage types are being used in different
portions of each building. Standards for each
frontage type are given in Appendix A.

4.2 Additionally, surface parking along the street
frontage shall be designed in accordance with A.6
the "surface parking" frontage type.

4.3 The ground-floor frontage use must comply with
the categories listed for the frontage type.

4.4 Frontage type standards are also applicable
to the first- floor frontage of buildings fronting
community plazas, commons and forecourts.

4.1: Example of the diagram each applicant shall submit indicating which frontage types are being used in different portions of each building.

Frontage Type Frontage Use Zone
Block Scale Zones House Scale Zones
C zone RHO zone R-3-13
zone
R-3-20
zone
R-3-30
zone
M
zone
A.1 Shopfront Retail, Office,
Residential Amenity

Y Y N N N Y
A.2 Common Entry Residential Lobby and
Amenity, Office

N Y N N N N
A.3 Stoop Residential N Y Y Y Y N
A.4 Porch Residential N Y Y Y Y N
A.5 Patio Residential N Y Y Y Y Y
A.6 Surface parking Parking N Y N N N N
A.7 Structured parking Parking N Y N N N N

4.5 Required driveways, utility locations, and up to
10 percent of the length of the building frontage
along the street, with a design approved by the
Director, need not be designed in accordance
with frontage type standards.

4.6 All ground-floor residential units along a public
street frontage shall provide a stoop, porch
or patio in keeping with the standards in A.3,
A.4 and A.5. The Director may exempt projects
from the requirement in each of these frontage
types to provide access from the sidewalk when
compliance is infeasible or impractical.

4.7 Outdoor dining may be permitted on public
sidewalks outside retail frontages subject to
Encroachment Permit and local standards.

4.8 Outdoor dining on private property along a street
frontage shall be separated from the public rightof-way by a permanent wall or movable barrier between two and three and a half feet feet high.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 13
Section 5: Open Space
INTENT
Open space is an integral part of development,
providing access to natural light and fresh air, and
usable exterior spaces with a mix of active and passive programs providing comprehensive lifestyle offerings
to building users. Successful developments integrate
a diversity of open space types, sizes and functions to serve a broad range of users and interests. While not
all types, sizes and functions can be accommodated
within a single project, projects contribute to a larger, diversified network of connected and walkable open
spaces throughout the surrounding area within
easy access to all residential units. Well-designed
common open spaces form a transition between
public sidewalks and private spaces, enhancing
livability, sociability, and privacy for individual units.

Within these, publicly-accessible common open
spaces increase community interaction, attract nonresident visitors supporting local businesses, and overall create more vibrant places.

STANDARDS
General Open Space

5.1 All projects containing two (2) or more dwelling
units shall include open space, or an aggregated
series of open spaces, that meet the minimum
area requirements established by the City. All
projects containing a multi-family residential
component of four (4) or more units shall include at
least one common open space, or an aggregated
series of common open spaces, that meets the
minimum area requirements established uniquely
by the each City. All areas that count toward these
requirements:
a. Shall be located outside an enclosed building,
except for building passthroughs.
b. Shall not be used for parking, driveways,
loading, or storage, except for green alleys
that comply with the standards in Appendix B.
c. Shall not be located within the required front
yard setback, except for patios and porches
that comply with the standards in Appendix B.

5.2 All open spaces that count toward the minimum
area requirements in 5.1 shall satisfy the definition
and the standards of either common open space
or private open space given below.

5.3 City standards related to site design and
landscaping within open spaces shall apply.

Additionally, the use of plant material rated as
low to moderate water use as defined by the
California Water Use Classification of Landscape
Species (WUCOLS) is required for all planted
areas, including tree planting.

5.4 All open spaces shall be thoroughly screened
from abutting residential properties through
planted or structured screening systems, except
for key circulation and connections to adjacent
areas. Refer to Section 8 for further requirements.

Common Open Space

5.5 All areas used to satisfy common open space
requirements shall comply with the minimum
standards of one of the following open space
types. Refer to Appendix B for detailed definitions
and standards of each type.
a. Community Plazas and Commons
b. Neighborhood Parks and Recreational
Amenity Areas
c. Courtyards
d. Building Forecourts
e. Pocket Parks
f. Paseos
g. Building Pass-throughs
h. Alleyways / Green Alleys
i. Shared Yards
j. Terraces and Decks
k. Rooftop Decks
l. Green Roofs

5.6 All common open spaces shall include a
combination of hard paved surfaces and soft
landscaped areas. Refer to Appendix B for spaceby-space landscape requirements for each type of open space

5.7 All common open space areas shall be designed
to mitigate the effects of building glare, daytime
sunlight, and heat by incorporating trees and/or
shade structures, such as arbors and gazebos.

It is encouraged to locate shading in open space
areas where it can be most effective, such as
near seating areas or along circulation routes.

Constructed shade structures or projections from
adjacent buildings shall cover no more than 50
percent of any open space, except for building
passthroughs.

5.8 Programming intent shall be provided for all
common open space areas. Programming shall
include active and passive types of programming
appropriate to the scale of the development, refer
to Appendix B for space-by-space requirements
for each type of open space. Such programming
may include, but is not limited to:

Passive Programming:
a. Walking / trails
b. Outdoor dining / moveable tables and chairs
c. Fixed seating (small gathering and individual
hang out)
d. Multi-purpose seating / flexible gathering
e. Barbeque and picnic facilities
f. Community gardens
g. Visual / experiential gardens
h. Outdoor art / art walk
i. Open, pastoral green spaces
j. Pop-up or rotating events and activities (eg
Farmer’s markets, seasonal events, etc)
Active Programming:
a. Playgrounds / kids’ play equipment
b. Dog parks
c. Spas and Swimming pools
d. Interactive water features
e. Sports courts (tennis, basketball, pickleball,
etc)
f. Sports fields (baseball, soccer, football, etc).

5.9 All common open space types whose access is
listed as only "Public" in the Common Open Space
Summary Matrix shall be publicly accessible
during business hours of the adjacent use, or
consistent with City park hours of operation,
unless approved by the Director.

5.10 Top of building rooftop spaces (rooftop decks
and green roofs), where they are permitted, shall
satisfy no more than 25 percent of the overall
common open space area requirements, except
for buildings on lots of 10,000 square feet or less
in block-scale zones.

5.11 Additionally, in house-scale zones, at least 25
percent of the overall common open space area
requirements must be met through ground-level
open spaces. In house-scale zones, at least 250
square feet per unit of open space shall be located
at the ground level.

5.12 At the discretion of the Planning and Community
Preservation Director, up to 25 percent of the
overall common open space area requirements
may be reduced from the project requirements if
he/shethey determines that the project effectively
uses a diversity of common open space types and
scales to broaden usership by residents, attract
visitors, support mixed-use development, and
better contextually connect developments to key
adjacent areas.

Private Open Space

5.13 All private areas used to satisfy private open
space requirements shall comply with the
minimum standards of one of the following open
space types. Refer to Appendix C for detailed
definitions and standards of each type.
a. Balconies (covered or uncovered)
b. Patios
c. Private Rooftop Decks
d. Private Yards
e. Porches
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 14
Section 5: Open Space
Common Open Space Hierarchy
Common Open Space Summary Matrix
Tier 1: Primary Open Spaces
• Community Plazas and Commons
Space
Tier 2: Secondary Open Spaces
• Neighborhood Parks and Recreational
Amenity Areas
• Courtyards
Tier 3: Tertiary Open Spaces
• Building Forecourts
• Pocket Parks
Tier 4: Open Space Connectors
• Paseos
• Building Passthroughs
• Alleyways / Green Alleys
Tier 5: Privately Accessible Open Spaces
• Shared Yards
• Terraces and Decks
• Rooftop Decks
• Green Roofs
Civic gathering,
flexible event,
shopping,
entertainment, and
central social space
Neighborhood
serving active and
recreation spaces
Local serving small
spaces for social
interaction,
relaxation, and play
Connection +
Placemaking +
Programming
Neighborhood
serving quiet,
intimate spaces
Privatized multi-resident
spaces
SHARED

PRIVATE
LOCAL | NEIGHBORHOOD | COMMUNITY
Common Open Space
Type
Users Zone
Context
Access Development
Frontage
Programming Min. Landscaping Min. Size
Tier 1: Primary Open Spaces
Community Plazas and
Commons
Community Block Public Retail /
Commercial
Passive 25% planted area, tree
planting required
2,500 - 5,000
square feet
Tier 2: Secondary Open Spaces
Neighborhood Parks and
Recreational Amenity
Areas
Neighborhood House or
Block
Public or
Shared
Private
Primarily
Residential, All
Uses Allowed
Active / Passive 50% planted area, tree
planting required
1,000 square
feet
Courtyards Neighborhood House or
Block
Public or
Shared
Private
Primarily
Residential, All
Uses Allowed;
buildings must
define at least two
edges of the space
Primarily Passive 25% planted area, tree
planting required
600 square
feet
Tier 3: Tertiary Open Spaces
Building Forecourts Local House or
Block
Public or
Shared
Private
All Uses Passive 25% planted area, tree
planting required
200 square
feet
Pocket Parks Local House or
Block
Public or
Shared
Private
Primarily
Residential
Active / Passive 50% planted area, tree
planting required
360 square
feet
Tier 4: Open Space Connectors
Paseos Connection House or
Block
Public All Uses Passive 15% planted area, no tree
planting requirements
15' wide or
wider for fire
access
Building Passthroughs Connection House or
Block
Public All Uses Passive No planted area or tree
planting requirements
10' wide
Alleyways / Green Alleys Connection House or
Block
Public All Uses Passive Planting areas encouraged
but not required, no tree
planting requirements
20' wide
Tier 5: Privately Accessible Open Spaces
Shared Yards Local House Shared
Private
Residential Passive / Light
Active
25% planted area, tree
planting required
Various
requirements
based on lot
size
Terraces and Decks Local House or
Block
Shared
Private
Residential Passive / Light
Active
15% planted area, tree
planting encouraged but not
required
360 square
feet
Rooftop Decks Local House or
Block
Shared
Private
Residential Passive / Light
Active
15% planted area, tree
planting encouraged but not
required
25% deck
area house
scale zone,
75% deck
area block
scale zone
Green Roofs Local House or
Block
Shared
Private
Residential N/A 75% planted area, tree
planting encouraged but not
required
Full rooftop
minus edge
setbacks
Tier 1: Primary Open Spaces
• Community Plazas and Commons
Tier 2: Secondary Open Spaces
• Neighborhood Parks and Recreational
Amenity Areas
• Courtyards
Tier 3: Tertiary Open Spaces
• Building Forecourts
• Pocket Parks
Tier 4: Open Space Connectors
• Paseos
• Building Passthroughs
• Alleyways / Green Alleys
Tier 5: Privately Accessible Open Spaces
• Shared Yards
• Terraces and Decks
• Rooftop Decks
• Green Roofs
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 15
Section 6: Entries
INTENT
Primary building entries should be clearly identifiable, well articulated, and oriented toward the public realm
in order to support pedestrian activity and intuitive
wayfinding. Entries should be located along public
sidewalks, paseos, plazas, or other publicly accessible open spaces, and should establish a direct, visible
connection between the building interior and
surrounding streets and open spaces. Architectural
elements, lighting, signage, and changes in material
or form should be used to emphasize entry locations
and create a welcoming, human-scaled arrival
experience.

Building entries should be integrated with pedestrian
circulation systems and should be designed to
minimize conflicts with vehicular access and service
areas. Where buildings include multiple entrances,
primary pedestrian entries should be distinguished
from secondary or service entries through placement,
design, and orientation. Overall, entries should
reinforce street activation, enhance safety through
visibility and activity, and contribute to an active,
engaging public realm.

STANDARDS
Entry Locations

6.1 Primary entries to any nonresidential use, and any
primary residential entry serving multiple units,
shall be emphasized and oriented to the street,
or common open spaces categorized under Tiers
1-4 in Section 5. Secondary entries may be from
parking areas, the rear of the building or alleys.

6.2 Residential entrances serving more than one
unit shall enter into a lobby, mailroom, shared
vestibule or community space.

6.3 In a house-scale zone, the primary entry to any
residential unit located along the ground floor shall
be accessed from a public sidewalk, landscaped
internal pedestrian walkway or paseo, shared
landing or common open space.

Entry Design

6.4 Primary sidewalk entrances to public-serving
commercial uses shall be openunlocked for the
entire duration that the commercial facility is
open.

6.5 Primary building entrances shall incorporate two
or more of the following design elements:
a. A change in wall plane - recessed or projecting
- of a minimum of three feet
b. Wall articulation, such as pilasters or cornices,
trim element, or additional painted or relief
detail around the entry
c. Projecting element Canopy above the entry
(minimum projection of 2 feet from the wall
plane and minimum width of the size of the
entry door)
d. Break in the building massing or a portal
enabling visibility into a courtyard that provides
access to units.
e. Transparent windows or openings enabling
visibility into interior spaces (a minimum
ground floor transparency of 50 percent within
20 feet of entrance).
f. A landing, deck, or stoop with a minimum
depth of six feet and minimum width of eight
feet, if allowed by the appropriate Frontage
Type. Ensures visibility into lobbies or units,
making the entry more inviting and active.

6.6 In mixed use projects, when residential and
commercial uses are combined in the same
structure, separate entrances shall be provided
for each use. To improve wayfinding, different
entrance design elements (from the menu in 6.5)
or different application of these elements shall be
used for residential and commercial uses. Entries
can shall be accessed from an alley, courtyard, or
on a side street on sites with two or more street
exposures.

6.7 Additionally, primary building entrances, such
as lobby entrances, shall be highlighted through
greater transparency than other portions of
the façade, and/or a lighting strategy which
emphasizes this location. Building/user
identification or address signage shall also be

6.5: Building entry accentuated with wall articulation, massing break and portal interior courtyard

6.6: Separate entrances provided for mixed use
developments

6.5: Building entry accentuated with corner location, 6.8: Hidden security grille wall articulation, projecting element and increased
transparency
provided in the vicinity of the entrance.

Security Features

6.8 Security gates and grilles, and their associated
housing mechanisms, shall be fully concealed
from the public right-of-way during business
hours. Additionally, any such gate or grille shall
be at least 75 percent open and transparent when
deployed.

6.9 Permanent exterior security bars and metal
doors are prohibited on ground floor entries and
anywhere on the ground-floor street or public
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 16
Section 7: Exterior Lighting
INTENT
Exterior lighting should be designed to promote
high-quality illumination while ensuring the efficient
use of energy to minimize light pollution, glare, and
light trespass. Each project should have adequate
lighting to support safety and visibility, with particular emphasis on walkways, driveways, building entrances,
parking areas, and open spaces.

All exterior lighting fixtures should be decorative
in nature and compatible with the architectural
character of the building. Site lighting should be
arranged and shielded to prevent adverse impacts
on surrounding or neighboring properties. Where
appropriate, accent lighting may be incorporated to
highlight key architectural or landscape features and
enhance the overall nighttime environment without
generating glare or spillover.

STANDARDS
Lighting Along Walkways

7.1 Lighting along exterior walkways, driveways,
building entrances, and parking surfaces shall
provide a minimum illumination level of 1.0 footcandle and shall not exceed 3.0 foot-candles, measured at the finished surface during hours of
darkness, defined as one-half hour before dusk
until one-half hour after dawn. All such exterior
lighting shall be equipped with automatic duskto-dawn control systems for safety and security purposes.

7.2 Lighting type, placement, and orientation shall
be designed to prevent direct glare onto adjoining
properties, public rights-of-way, and the night sky.

All site and building lighting shall be designed,
located, and lamped to comply with the following
requirements:
a. Illumination levels shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles measured beyond any property line boundary
b. Not less than 90 percent of all light output
shall be directed downward
c. All exterior lighting fixtures shall be fully
shielded and shall incorporate blinders,
shades, or comparable devices to prevent
glare and light spill onto adjacent properties

7.3 All exterior lighting shall utilize automatic shutoff controls, including sensors, timers, motion detectors, or equivalent technologies.

7.4 The following lighting types and design features
shall not be permitted on any building:
a. Internal illumination of fascias, walls, roofs,
awnings or other architectural elements shall
not be permitted
b. Spot lighting or broadcast lighting shall not be
permitted
c. Animated or flashing lighting shall not be
permitted
d. Colored lighting shall not be permitted, except
for neon lighting strips used as a accent
lighting feature integrated into the building
design.
e. Uplighting on residential dwelling units shall
not be permitted, except for focused or accent
lighting solely to highlight specific architectural
features of a building.

Design of Lighting

7.5 All exterior lighting shall use light sources with a correlated color temperature of 3000 Kelvin or
lower to minimize blue-light emissions.

Landscape Lighting

7.6 Landscape lighting fixtures shall not exceed
four feet in height when located within planting
areas or along pedestrian pathways and shall be
setback a minimum of five feet in any direction
from residential windows, patios, or private open
spaces.

0.3 Foot Candles
Max.

Fully Shielded
1 - 3 Foot Candles
Min. - Max.

P/L
≥ 90% Light
Directed Down

7.2: Illumination Standards
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 17
Section 8: Walls and Fences
INTENT
Walls and fencing serve an important role in shaping a
cohesive and pedestrian-oriented environment. Their
use supports property protection, enhances privacy,
reduces noise, and contributes to an attractive
visual setting. Walls and fences are appropriate for
screening automobile parking, loading and storage
areas, utility equipment, and for buffering residential uses from adjacent activities.

These features should remain as low as practicable
while still fulfilling their screening and security
functions. When used as screening elements, walls
and fencing should be designed to complement
the site’s architectural character and incorporate
architectural detailing consistent with the overall
development. Wherever feasible, landscaping should
be integrated with wall and fencing design to soften
visual impact, reinforce site aesthetics, and improve
the public realm.

STANDARDS
Screening

8.1 Surface parking lots and open parking structures
shall be screened from public streets and adjacent
residential properties by a continuous fence, wall,
and/or landscape buffer. All required fencing and
wall elements shall be designed in accordance
with the applicable frontage type standards as
identified in Appendix A.

Wall and Fence Height

8.2 Walls, including retaining walls, and fencing shall not exceed 42 inches in height when located
within 20 feet of the front property line or edge
of any public street right-of-way, whichever is
greater, and shall not exceed 6 feet in height
within required interior setbacks. All required
fencing and wall elements shall be designed in
accordance with the applicable frontage type
standards as identified in Appendix A.

8.3 An exception to the maximum fence height within
20 feet of the front property line or edge of any
public street right-of-way, whichever is greater,
may be approved by the Director when such fence
surrounds a common open space. The fencing
shall be visually transparent, decorative and
appropriate to the context and needed access
controls and decorative.

8.4 The following fence elements are permitted
to exceed the maximum height specified in 8.2
by no more than 12 inches, inclusive of pilaster
caps, post caps, and integrated lighting fixtures,
and shall comply with the following dimensional
requirements:
a. Wood or metal, or vinyl (PVC) post shall not
exceed six inches by six inches in crosssection
b. Masonry or concrete post / pilaster shall not
exceed 18 inch by 18 inch in cross-section
c. Fence posts shall be spaced a minimum of six
feet apart, measured on-center
d. Fence elements shall be compatible in
material and/or color with the materials or
architectural features used on the building(s)
located on the site.

Design of Walls and Fences

8.5 All exposed walls shall incorporate a treated
architectural finish, including, but not limited to,
smooth-formed concrete, sandblasted concrete,
exposed aggregate concrete, brick veneer, splitface masonry, decorative stone veneer, or a stucco-applied finish. Alternative materials or
finishes that are compatible with and integrated
into the design of on-site buildings may be
permitted, subject to approval by the applicable
reviewing authority.

8.6 All fencing materials shall be constructed of
treated wood, powder-coated or galvanized steel,
wrought iron, or high-quality composite materials.

Vinyl or plastic fencing, barbed wire, razor wire, and

8.2, 8.3: Maximum wall and fence height

SECTION
Front Yard
20’

P/L
Interior
Setback
12” Max.
42” Max.

Retaining Wall
72” Max.
electric security fencing shall not be permitted.

Chain-link fencing shall not be permitted, except
when used temporarily for construction or site
security during active construction activities.

8.7 Retaining walls shall be designed such that all
exposed surfaces incorporate an architectural
finish consistent with the materials and treatments
identified in 8.5.

8.8 Fencing materials shall not utilize reflective,
glossy, or glaring finishes or colors.

Location of Walls and Fences

8.9 All fencing shall be installed with the finished
side oriented toward public streets and adjacent
properties.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 18
Section 9: Loading Areas, Trash and Utilities
INTENT
The design and placement of loading areas, trash
enclosures, and utility equipment shall incorporate
effective screening techniques to minimize visual,
noise, and privacy impacts on surrounding properties
and public rights-of-way. These elements shall
contribute to an orderly and visually cohesive site
environment. To support a high-quality pedestrian
realm, commercial loading areas and trash
enclosures shall be enclosed or otherwise screened
and positioned out of view from public streets to the
greatest extent feasible. Utility meters, electrical
panels, transformers, and comparable equipment
shall be sited in a manner that respects the experience of the public realm and adjacent buildings, and,
when possible, located away from primary building
frontages.

STANDARDS
Commercial Loading Areas

9.1 In mixed-use projects, loading areas shall be
permitted only for development projects with
non-residential uses, excluding office uses, that
exceed 10,000 square feet of total floor area.

Screening Loading Areas

9.2 Commercial loading areas shall be screened
from surrounding properties and public rightsof-way by a fence, wall, and/or landscape buffer designed to minimize visual, noise, and privacy
impacts. Commercial loading areas shall be
located and accessed from secondary or tertiary
streets where feasible, and shall not be located
along a primary street frontage.

Trash Enclosures & Location

9.3 All refuse, solid waste, recycling, compost, and
green waste bins or containers shall be fully
screened on all sides from public rights-of-way
by a solid fence or wall with a minimum height of
five and a half (5½) feet. Trash enclosures may
include one or more solid access gates, which
shall remain closed at all times except during
active loading or unloading operations.

9.4 Trash enclosures shall be located within two
hundred (200) feet of an access point to the
building they serve and shall not be located in any
of the following areas:
a. Within 25 feet of a required front or street-side
setback
b. Between any building and the public street or
sidewalk
c. Within required landscaped areas, pedestrian
pathways, driveways, or common open space
areas
d. Within any required parking space
Utility Location

9.5 Roof-mounted equipment shall be fully screened
by parapets or other roof structures that are at
least as tall as the highest part of the mechanical
equipment, or the equipment shall be set back
a minimum of ten feet from the roof edge. Roofmounted solar energy systems and panels may be permitted without screening, subject to approval
by the applicable reviewing authority.

9.6 All attached and free-standing equipment shall
be fully screened from public view by fencing or
landscaping that is equal to or greater in height
than the highest point of the equipment, or
painted to match the adjacent building structure.

If any of these options is prohibited by applicable
building, fire, electrical, or plumbing codes, an
alternate option shall be used as approved by
the applicable reviewing authority. Where fencing
is used for screening, adequate clearance and
access gates shall be provided in compliance
with applicable codes. Electric vehicle charging
equipment shall be exempt from this requirement.

9.4: Trash enclosure location standards
Required
Parking
Driveway
Trash
Enclosure
200’ Max.
25’
Required Setback

9.3: Loading area provided an alley avoid street exposure CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 19
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
Required Dimensions
Depth, Recessed
Entries (A)
5 ft max., behind
building shopfront line
Distance
Between Windows (B) 20 ft max.

Distance Between
Entries (C) 40 ft max.

Continuation of
Shopfront Frontage
Type around corner (D)
25 ft min.

Height, Bulkhead (E) 1.5 ft min, 2 ft max.

Building setback from
property line (F)
0 ft min., 1.5 ft max.,
except when using open
space type.

Awning Depth (G) 6 2 ft min
Awning Height (H)
9 ft min., max. is the
midpoint between the
top of highest window
of the ground floor and
the window sill of the
second
Transparency, Ground
Floor 65 percent min.

Other Standards
Per CalGreen building code, awnings are required
on all south-facing storefronts.

Ground-floor elevation shall be level with adjacent
sidewalk at the entry.

Notes
The Planning and Community Preservation
Department and Public Works Department may
reduce the allowed awning depth if warranted by
local conditions.

A.1 Shopfront
Applicable Uses: Retail, Office, Residential Amenity
The main façade of the building is near the right-of-way with an at-grade entrance along the sidewalk.

This frontage type is intended for active ground floor uses and has substantial glazing at the ground level.

Awnings should be incorporated unless site conditions or design strategy preclude them.

A
B
C H
E
D
G
F
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 20
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
Other Standards
Planting width may be filled with movable planter
boxes or with landscaping planted in the ground.

Planter boxes and landscaping may not block
any of the required minimum transparency of the
frontage.

Pathway between sidewalk and entry shall be
direct.

A.2 Common Entry
Applicable Uses: Residential Lobby and Amenity, Office
This frontage type is intended for office, civic or residential uses which are accessed through centralized building or site entries located directly on the sidewalk. The entry enters into a lobby, community room or reception area. Between entries, individual offices, gyms, meeting rooms and other such spaces line the ground-floor frontage. In developments with ground-floor office uses, common space areas are oriented toward the street in order to ensure compatibility with a transparent frontage.

Required Dimensions
Distance Between
Entries (A) 100 ft max.

Width, Entries (B) 5 ft min., 15 ft max.

Depth, Recessed
Entries (C) 1.5 ft min., 8 ft max.

Planting Width,
Landscaping Width (D) 3 ft min., 20 ft max.

Building Setback from
Property Line (E)
Min setback applicable
to the zone. 10 ft max. in
block-scale zones, 20 ft
in house-scale zones.

Awning Depth (F) 2 ft min.

Awning Height (G) 9 ft min.

Transparency, Ground
Floor 55 percent
A
F
G B
C
D
E
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 21
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
Other Standards
Stoop shall serve a single residential unit or
building entry.

Reasonable accommodation shall be provided as
appropriate.

Stairs may be perpendicular or parallel to the
building façade.

Entry doors shall be covered or recessed.

All yard areas adjacent to stoops shall be filled with
landscaping, and all semi-subterranean parking
areas shall be hidden with landscaping.

The Director may exempt projects from the
requirement in each of these frontage types to
provide access from the sidewalk when compliance
is infeasible or impractical.

A.3 Stoop
Applicable Uses: Residential
The stoop is a raised platform, approached by steps and sometimes having a roof, at the entrance of a dwelling unit. The main facade of the building is near the right-of-way and the stoop engages the sidewalk.

This frontage type is elevated above the sidewalk to ensure privacy within the building. The entrance is usually an exterior stair and landing.

Required Dimensions
Width, Clear (A) 4 ft min., 10 ft max.

Depth, Clear (B) 4 ft min., 8 ft max.

Depth,
Recessed Entries (C) 6 ft max.

Finish Level above
Sidewalk (D) 1 ft min., 4 ft max.

Building Setback from
Right-of- Way (E)
Min setback applicable
to the zone.

Stoop Setback from
Right- of-Way (F)
3 ft min., 10 ft max., in
block-scale zones.
5 ft min., 10 ft max.,
in house-zones
Transparency, Ground
Floor 35 percent min.

A
E
D
F
B
C
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 22
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
Other Standards
Porch shall serve a single residential unit or
building entry.

Porch shall be open to the air on the front and at
least one other side.

Reasonable accommodation shall be provided as
appropriate.

Stairs shall be perpendicular to the building façade.

Entry doors shall be covered or recessed.

All yard areas adjacent to porches shall be filled
with landscaping, and all semi-subterranean
parking areas shall be hidden with landscaping.

The Director may exempt projects from the
requirement in each of these frontage types to
provide access from the sidewalk when compliance
is infeasible or impractical.

A.4 Porch
Applicable Uses: Residential
The front door is accessed through a decently-sized, covered outdoor living area which provides an opportunity for seating and "eyes on the street," while maintaining significant privacy for residents. The porch accentuates residential character and provides a unifying element between single-family and modest-density multifamily structures within house-scale neighborhoods.

Required Dimensions
Width, Clear (A) 10 ft min.

Depth, Clear (B) 6 ft min., 10 ft max.

Finish Level above
Sidewalk (C) 1 ft min., 4 ft max.

Distance Between
Porch Elements And
Right-of-Way (D)
5 ft min., Max. is the
min. setback of the
zone
Building Setback from
Right-of- Way (E)
Min setback applicable
to the zone.

Transparency, Ground
Floor 35 percent min.

B
E
C
D
A
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 23
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
Other Standards
Patio shall serve a single residential unit or building entry.

Pedestrian access area may have a gate.

Entry doors shall be covered or recessed.

If counted toward minimum open space
requirements, patio shall comply with "Patio" open
space type standards.

The Director may exempt projects from the
requirement in each of these frontage types to
provide access from the sidewalk when compliance
is infeasible or impractical.

A.5 Patio
Applicable Uses: Residential
Ground-floor residential units are located at-grade, but to ensure an appropriate transition between public space and the unit itself, the area between the sidewalk and building becomes an enclosed private patio, visually open to the street.

Required Dimensions
Width, Clear (A) 15 ft min.

Depth, Clear (B) 6 ft min., 10 ft max.

Depth, Recessed
Entries (C) 6 ft max.

Building Setback from
Property Line (D)
Min setback applicable
to the zone. but no less
than 10 ft.,
15 ft max.

Pedestrian Access (E) 3 ft min.,6 ft max.

Width, Landscapinged
Strip (F) 2 ft min.

Height of Fence/Wall
(G) 1 ft min., 3.5 ft max.

G
D
F
C
B
E
A
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 24
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
A.6 Surface Parking
Parking may be supplied on the surface or in subterranean, podium or above-ground structured configurations. Where appropriate, a limited amount of the street frontage may be used for surface parking.

In these cases, the parking is screened by a wall and landscaping.

Other Standards
Parking access locations are subject to the
standards set in Section 4.10.

Where this frontage type is not permitted, surface
parking may not be located along the frontage of
the project. Only a driveway accessing parking
located behind another building on the site is
permitted.

Walls shall be opaque and made of masonry.

Use of a filter strip, infiltration trench or other
stormwater best management practice is
encouraged over raised landscape planters.

Required Dimensions
Parking Facility Width
(A) as a function of Lot
Width (B)
30 percent max
(primary
street), 50 percent max
(side
street), up to 150 ft
Depth of Width ,
Landscaping (C) 3 ft min.

Wall Height (D) 3 ft min., 4 ft max.

B
A
D
C
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 25
Appendix A: Frontage Standards
Other Standards
Structured parking garage frontages taller than
20 ft, if allowed, shall be screened or enhanced as
described in 3.15.

Where this frontage type is not permitted,
structured parking may not be located along
the ground-floor frontage of the project. Only
a driveway accessing parking located behind
another building on the site is permitted.

A.7 Structured Parking
Structured parking may occupy a limited portion of the frontage of a building in certain areas. The height is limited and design shields from direct view of cars, while also providing softening through landscaping and limited transparency. Unlike the other frontage types, these regulations apply to structured parking on any floor of the building along a public street frontage (e.g. the second floor of a mixed-use podium building).

Required Dimensions
Parking Facility Width
(A) as a function of Lot
Width (B)
30 percent max
(primary
street), 50 percent max
(side
street), up to 150 ft
Width of Landscaping
on Frontage (C) 5 ft min.

Transparency, Parking
Structure
Ground Floor
15 percent min, equally
distributed across
structured parking
elevation.

All transparent
openings along the
ground-floor of a
building shall be
softened by
landscaping, louvers
or similar strategy.

Structured Parking
Height along frontage
(D)
20 ft max., (primary
street)
B
A
D
C
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 26
B.1 Community Plazas and Commons
Spacious hardscaped plaza or open lawn area for civic gathering, entertainment, flexible events, and local destination; a primary community-wide amenity, focal point, and attractor intended to extend the public realm, draw in outside guests, support local retail or commercial development within the community, and be an overall central space for community interaction and events.

Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: Community Plazas to be at least 50 feet x 50 feet, Commons to be at least 5,000 square feet with one side
at least 50 feet. Typically, the largest and most significant open space in a development and top of the open space
hierarchy.

Location & Application: located at ground level, adjacent to or visible from a primary roadway and in a centralized development location or at the confluence of major
circulation routes. Spaces should be highly visible and the centerpiece of the development.

Development Frontage: ground floor retail or commercial uses.

Access & Usage: publicly accessible. Permitted to
provide barrier controls to limit public access to the
space after business hours or at night consistent with
city park hours of operation. Pedestrian thoroughfare and connectivity required on at least one side of the space to key circulation routes and destinations within and outside the development.

Landscape: include a minimum of 25 percent planted
areas and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree for every
500 square feet of common open space for the first 2,500 square feet, then one 24-inch box tree for every 1,000
square feet of common open space thereafter.

Programming: generally more passive uses, intended to
support community gathering, flexible events, shopping, entertainment, and other community-wide destination uses that don’t include recreation or other active programming typically reserved for parks and recreational amenity areas.

Refer to Section 9.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

Common Open Space Hierarchy
Tier 1: Primary Open Spaces
• Community Plazas and Commons
Space
Tier 2: Secondary Open Spaces
• Neighborhood Parks and Recreational
Amenity Areas
• Courtyards
Tier 3: Tertiary Open Spaces
• Building Forecourts
• Pocket Parks
Tier 4: Open Space Connectors
• Paseos
• Building Passthroughs
• Alleyways / Green Alleys
Tier 5: Privately Accessible Open Spaces
• Shared Yards
• Terraces and Decks
• Rooftop Decks
• Green Roofs
Civic gathering,
flexible event,
shopping,
entertainment, and
central social space
Neighborhood
serving active and
recreation spaces
Local serving small
spaces for social
interaction,
relaxation, and play
Connection +
Placemaking +
Programming
Neighborhood
serving quiet,
intimate spaces
Privatized multi-resident
spaces
SHARED

PRIVATE
LOCAL | NEIGHBORHOOD | COMMUNITY
Tier 1: Primary Open Spaces
• Community Plazas and Commons
Tier 2: Secondary Open Spaces
• Neighborhood Parks and Recreational
Amenity Areas
• Courtyards
Tier 3: Tertiary Open Spaces
• Building Forecourts
• Pocket Parks
Tier 4: Open Space Connectors
• Paseos
• Building Passthroughs
• Alleyways / Green Alleys
Tier 5: Privately Accessible Open Spaces
• Shared Yards
• Terraces and Decks
• Rooftop Decks
• Green Roofs
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 27
B.3 Courtyards
An open, unroofed outdoor area, often paved, that is partially or completely enclosed by the walls of adjacent buildings, providing a semi-private, secluded outdoor space for light, air, relaxation, or gathering.

B.2 Neighborhood Parks and and Recreational Amenity Areas Accessible local parks and recreation spaces offering nearby residents places for activity, exercise, play, and community connection, featuring amenities like outdoor seating and shade, green spaces, recreational facilities, barbeques/picnic, and more. They serve as essential neighborhood hubs for physical activity, social interaction, and easy access to nature, fostering healthier, more resilient communities. Designed for people living in the surrounding residential developments, usually within a quarter-mile radius or less.

Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: spaces can vary significantly in size / shape but shall have a minimum area of 1,000 square feet and a minimum
dimension of 25 feet in each direction.

Location & Application: located at ground level, to be
visible from an adjacent roadway or primary circulation route. Spaces intended to be accessible for all residents within a 1320 foot radius (1/4 mile, five-minute walk) and can be a single space or a distributed series of spaces as required to serve the full development.

Development Frontage: primarily residential uses, can
also include small or limited ground floor retail / commercial uses required to support park / amenity area programming, eg. corner shops, small cafes, vending kiosks, etc.

Access & Usage: publicly or privately accessible. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation. Public street with sidewalk, or pedestrian walkway of at least 15’ width required on at least one side of the space connecting to key circulation routes and destinations within and outside the development.

Landscape: include a minimum of 50 percent planted
areas and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree for every
500 square feet of common open space for the first 2,500 square feet, then one 24-inch box tree for every 1,000
square feet of common open space thereafter. Exceptions may be given for small spaces dedicated to dense, more
active programming that provide significant community
benefit.

Programming: primarily active uses with focus on serving resident recreation, activity, and social needs including sports courts, kids play, community swimming pools,
picnic and barbeques, etc. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

Size: spaces shall have a minimum area of 600 square feet and a minimum dimension of at least 20 feet wide, with secondary dimensions relative to the height of the abutting building(s) wall.

Secondary dimensions shall be: up to two and a half stories = 30 feet wide, three to five stories = at least 40 feet wide, six to eight stories = at least half the height of the tallest wall.

Location & Application: located at ground level, buildings shall define at least two edges of the courtyard space. Courtyards encouraged to be accessible from a primary roadway when requiring public access, otherwise discretionary for private access but should comply with and support all frontage and building break requirements (e.g. visibility from public street required when using paseo and Courtyard to comply with
building break standard 1.3).

Development Frontage: primarily residential uses, can also include small or limited ground floor retail / commercial uses required to support Courtyard programming, e.g. corner shops, small cafes, vending kiosks, etc.

Access & Usage: publicly or privately accessible when in residential frontage conditions, publicly accessible when in retail or commercial frontage conditions. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation.

No specific pedestrian thoroughfare requirements for this type of space but linking Courtyard spaces to other open spaces, including other Courtyards, is always encouraged.

Landscape: include a minimum of 25 percent planted areas and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree for every 500 square feet of common open space for the first 2,500 square feet, then one 24-inch box tree for every 1,000 square feet of common open space thereafter.

Programming: more passive uses focused on fulfilling resident needs for quiet, intimate spaces serving as tranquil areas for relaxation, connection to nature, socializing, dining, or gardening, while also improving a building's microclimate and aesthetics by integrating indoor/outdoor living. The physical spaces may vary significantly from hardscape type courtyard plazas to more heavily planted courtyard gardens. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 28
B.5 Pocket Parks
Small public green space, tucked into residential community areas offering residents a nearby spot for quite relaxation, play, socializing, or enjoying nature, where there may not otherwise be any park areas or space to fit them. Pocket Parks can be various sizes and shapes and can be used to transform otherwise underutilized areas into valuable community assets with seating, greening, and pathways.

B.4 Forecourts
Open, paved area directly in front of a multi-family residential or mixed-use building, serving as an entrance, gathering space, waiting / seating area, and pre-entrance space to the lobby, creating a grand approach and welcoming entry for visitors to the building. It functions as a front courtyard or terrace, designed to enhance the building's appeal and manage pedestrian flow into and out of the building Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: spaces shall have a minimum area of 200 square
feet and a minimum dimension of 10 feet in each direction.

Location & Application: located on the ground floor in
front of or adjacent to a residential building entrance/lobby, a retail entrance, or an office lobby.

Development Frontage: residential, retail, or commercial uses.

Access & Usage: publicly accessible. Forecourts to
provide pedestrian walkway connections to public realm
facing sidewalks / walkways and any vehicular drop-off
zones.

Programming: primarily passive uses, including fixed
and loose seating, shaded outdoor waiting areas, and
transition spaces into and out of the building. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

Size: spaces shall have a minimum area of 360 square
feet and a minimum dimension of 15 feet in each direction.

Location & Application: located at ground level,
these smaller spaces are encouraged to be distributed
throughout the development to provide easily accessible open space opportunities to residents without needing
a sizable footprint for a full park. Spaces may also be located in any leftover or undevelopable site areas to serve residential units that may not have or are distant from any other common open spaces. Ideally some measure
of smaller open spaces shall be available within a three minute walk of all residential units, or roughly 800 feet.

Development Frontage: primarily residential uses,
offering open space opportunities where they are most
needed and available.

Access & Usage: publicly accessible when in retail or
commercial frontage conditions; publicly or privately
accessible when in residential frontage conditions.

Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation. Encouraged to link pocket parks to other open spaces areas through secondary
connection systems.

Programming: a broad range of active and passive uses
to be allowed in these small, compact spaces for a more flexible distribution of communal open space needs within the development. From simple, contemplative green
spaces to more targeted recreation amenities including
exercise and kids’ play areas, overall programming to take a comprehensive, community-wide view and utilize available space accordingly. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 29
B.7 Passthroughs
Privately owned and maintained passageways or hallways through interior building spaces that are opened to the public and connect key adjacent open spaces and interior building spaces. Pass-through spaces are often activated to further extend the network of open spaces while also blending connectivity.

B.6 Paseos
Publicly accessible, pedestrian-only pathways used to connect adjacent open spaces and create a larger district-wide network of connected and walkable spaces. Paseos can also be unique linear places programmed with elements and activities to also activate the linear stretches between larger open spaces.

Paseos can include a hierarchy of widths and scales to create a rich network of major to minor connectors.

Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: minimum 15 feet wide, or wider as required for fire/ life safety access.

Location & Application: located at ground level,
new connections intended to break up large blocks
of development and create more pedestrian porosity,
walkability, and programming opportunities, required
to connect to public street frontage or common open
space at one end minimum, preferably both ends. Any
programming applied within the corridor must maintain a walkable clearance of at least six feet wide.

Development Frontage: residential, retail, or commercial uses.

Access & Usage: publicly accessible. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation.

Landscape: include a minimum of 15 percent planted
areas, no tree planting requirements.

Programming: primarily passive uses, including furniture, building spill-out areas, outdoor dining, flexible vending, seasonal decoration, moveable planters, and other
non-permanent or semi-permanent uses that can be
relocated as required. Refer to 5.8 for shortlist of potential programming options to consider when planning the space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

Size: minimum ten feet wide or complying with interior
building requirements, whichever is wider.

Location & Application: located at ground level,
new connections intended to break up large blocks
of development and create more pedestrian porosity,
walkability, and programming opportunities through
interior building spaces creating public access, required to connect to public street frontage or common open space
at one end minimum, preferably both ends. Any usable
programming within the corridor must maintain a walkable clearance of at least six feet wide.

Development Frontage: residential, retail, or commercial uses.

Access & Usage: publicly accessible. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation.

Landscape: no planted area or tree planting requirements.

Additional Requirements: n/a
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 30
B.8 Alley Walkways / Green Alleys
Existing vehicular corridors for building access and back-of-house services repurposed to become more activated, pedestrian friendly spaces, creating another layer of connection, exploration and discovery.

Art, seating, lighting, greening and reduction of impermeable paving all help soften and create more comfortable pedestrian spaces. Scheduled daily closure of the alley to vehicular traffic can prioritize pedestrian walkability but still maintain access for local deliveries and services during off hour times.

Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: typically existing, to comply with local roadway / vehicular access standards for new developments or minimum 20 feet wide for fire life safety access, whichever is greater.

Location & Application: utilize existing alleyways to create more pedestrian porosity, walkability, and programming
opportunities, may only be counted toward open space
requirements in block-scale or commercial zones, and spaces must exclude regular parking access and have time-limited vehicular access for service/back-of-house access; corridor spaces must be for primarily pedestrian use to count toward open space requirements. Any programming applied within the corridor must maintain a drivable clearance of at least 20 feet wide.

Development Frontage: residential, retail, or commercial back-of-house frontage.

Access & Usage: publicly accessible. Permitted to provide barrier controls to limit public access to the space after business hours or at night consistent with city park hours of operation. Also acceptable to limit vehicular access to designed times of the day / night to prioritize pedestrian circulation during peak hours.

Landscape: planting areas encouraged but not required, no tree planting requirements.

Programming: primarily passive uses, including furniture, building spill-out areas, outdoor dining, flexible vending, seasonal decoration, moveable planters, and other nonpermanent or semi-permanent uses that can be relocated as required. Art and lighting encouraged to add expressive placemaking layers to the back-of-house spaces. Creating opportunities for landscape and greening is also encouraged to help soften spaces and promote other environmental
benefits such as stormwater management, infiltration, filtering pollutants, and habitat creation.

Additional Requirements: use of permeable paving systems encouraged but not required. Asphalt paving prohibited. See parking access and service/back-of-house restrictions to being considered open space as noted above.

B.9 Shared Yards
An outdoor area associated with a grouping of homes or buildings, meant for the exclusive use of those occupants, kept separate from public or overall community access, often enclosed by fences/walls for seclusion, offering a personal outdoor retreat for relaxation or recreation away from public view. Spaces include front, back and side yards and are not for general community use, though legal privacy levels can depend on visibility from neighbors.

Size: at least 50 percent of lot dimension in one direction, and at least 25 percent of lot dimension, or 15 feet,
whichever is greater, in perpendicular direction.

Location & Application: located at ground level in front, back, or side yard areas surrounding and accessible from the residential unit(s).

Development Frontage: multi-family residential and
individual residential units, frontage may also include residential supporting amenities such as recreation rooms, lounges, gyms, etc assuming there is egress to the yards from residential units at some points.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, shared between
multiple residential units. Comply with wall and fence
standards (Section 8).

Landscape: include a minimum of 25 percent planted
areas and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree.

Programming: passive residential uses such as outdoor
dining, barbequing, hosting and event spill-out, casual gathering, yard games, gardening, general recreation, and other uses appropriate for private-use communal spaces
shared between multiple residents. Light active uses such as communal swimming pools and spas are allowed in
rear and side yards only and where space allows. Fixed
barbeques are permitted in rear and side yards only.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 31
B.10 Terraces and Decks
A usable open air space on top of a building, shared among building residents, used for recreation, gathering, or relaxing, offering a pleasant space for outdoor activities and views with features like furniture, plants, and other amenities, distinct from a patio by being raised above the surrounding grade or built on an exterior building level, offering an elevated vantage point and expansive views.

Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: spaces shall have a minimum area of 360 square feet and a minimum dimension of 15 feet in each direction.

Location & Application: located on upper building floors (usually the second floor or higher) on flattened external areas, interfacing and accessible from adjacent residential unit(s). Spaces may also be located on dedicated ground floor areas that are elevated as communal outdoor spaces, or on garage podiums. Decks shall be set back a minimum of 6’ from any building edge overlooking a lower-density residential development.

Development Frontage: multi-family residential units,
or residential supporting amenities such as recreation
rooms, lounges, gyms, etc assuming there is egress to
the terrace and deck areas from residential units at some points. Terraces and Decks may front on patios when over podium conditions.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, shared between
multiple residential units.

Landscape: include a minimum of 15 percent planted
areas, tree planting encouraged but not required.

Programming: passive residential uses such as outdoor
dining, barbequing, hosting and event spill-out, casual gathering, deck games, gardening, general recreation, and other uses appropriate for private-use communal spaces
shared between multiple residents, light active uses such as communal swimming pools and spas are allowed and
where space allows.

Additional Requirements: pergola, trellis, and/or
permanent shade device are allowed, the covering height for any structures not to exceed 12 feet in height. Any shade devices that exceed the height limit of the district shall be stepped back at least 10’ from any street-facing façade.

Solid roofing is not allowed over the deck space, except for roof projections from the adjacent building.

B.11 Rooftop Decks:

A paved, usable outdoor space located on a building's rooftop, shared among building residents, providing areas for relaxation, dining, or entertainment. A rooftop deck is distinct from terraces and decks in that it is found on the building’s topmost roof level whereas the others are typically found on lower building levels, on podiums, or at ground level. A popular amenity for residential developments, turning underutilized rooftop areas into functional outdoor spaces. Rooftop spaces may also contain specialized on-structure planters to add greening, shade, and softscape amenities.

Size: minimum same as Terraces and Decks, maximum of
total roof area for projects in house scale zones, 75 percent of total roof area for projects in block-scale zones. Ability to count toward minimum open space requirements limited
by standard 5.9.

Location & Application: Allowed in block-scale zones
only on top of building rooftops. Decks shall be set back a minimum of 6’ from any building edge overlooking a lowerdensity residential development.

Development Frontage: does not typically include
residential fronting units at the rooftop level but may include residential amenity uses extending up to the rooftop level, eg. recreation rooms, lounges, gyms, etc.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, shared between
multiple residential units.

Landscape: include a minimum of 15 percent planted
areas, tree planting encouraged but not required.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 32
B.12 Green Roofs
A building roof partially or fully covered with vegetation and a growing medium (like engineered soil), creating a natural, functional ecosystem on a structure. These multi-layered on-structure systems help mange stormwater, reduce heat, improve air quality, and provide habitats, acting as an extension of the building's landscape to offer environmental and economic benefits like energy savings and longer roof life.

Differentiated from a rooftop deck, terrace, or podium deck by not directly serving or meant to be used by residents, often with a passive or visual only function related to resident engagement.

Appendix B: Common Open Space Types
Size: full rooftop spaces are permitted for use minus edge setbacks requirements. Any rooftop areas proposed to
be accessible for residents must not encroach into the
minimum planting area requirements for this space. Ability to count toward minimum open space requirements
limited by standard 5.9; additionally, green roofs may fulfill only up to 50 percent of a projects common open space
requirement.

Location & Application: top of building rooftops. Decks shall be set back a minimum of six feet from any building edge overlooking a lower-density residential development.

Development Frontage: typically there would be no
building uses fronting this space except for access to the rooftop deck.

Access & Usage: typically not accessible to residents
but small areas can be made privately accessible shared between multiple residential units.

Landscape: a minimum of 75 percent of deck area must
be planted with groundcover / shrubs. No specific tree
planting requirements, but tree planting encouraged where soil depth allows.

Programming: mostly inaccessible for use, limited areas that are accessible to have similar passive uses to terraces and decks.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 33
C.2 Patios
A paved, ground-level or podium-level outdoor space that is connected to a residential unit, or in close proximity, for exclusive use of that residence. Patios can be accompanied by surrounding yards as part of the larger private outdoor open space but can also be limited to just the immediate patio space for more urban living conditions.

C.1 Balconies (covered or uncovered)
An elevated, private outdoor space that extends the living area, offers fresh air, natural light, and views, while also adding aesthetic appeal, functioning as a mini-garden, relaxation nook, or dining spot. It serves as an extension of the home, bringing the outdoors in without requiring a yard, making it ideal for urban living conditions.

Appendix C: Private Open Space Types
Size: at least five feet in any direction, to accommodate seating and a table.

Location & Application: located on upper floors (usually the second floor or higher), directly attached to the outside of the residential unit(s), and can be architecturally covered or uncovered.

Development Frontage: multi-family residential and
individual residential units.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, for a single
residential unit.

Landscape: allowed to be fully hardscape paved, no
planted area or tree planting requirements.

Programming: intended to extend the living space for
limited passive uses like outdoor dining, relaxation, views outward, etc.

Additional Requirements: encouraged for guardrail on
longest side to be visually transparent (i.e. no solid walls) Size: at least 6’ deep, to accommodate outdoor furniture, and at least 15’ wide.

Location & Application: located at the ground floor or
podium-level in fully residential conditions, or podium-level only in mixed-use development conditions where retail/
commercial uses are occupying the ground floor. Patios are typically connected directly to the associated residential unit and can also be included within a larger surrounding yard on the ground floor.

Development Frontage: multi-family residential and
individual residential units.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, for a single
residential unit.

Landscape: allowed to be fully hardscape paved, no
planted area or tree planting requirements.

Programming: intended to extend the living space outside for limited passive uses like outdoor dining, barbeque, relaxation, casual gathering, gardening, etc.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 34
C.4 Private Yards
An outdoor area directly associated with a home or building, meant for the exclusive use of its occupants, kept separate from public access, often enclosed by fences/walls for seclusion, offering a personal outdoor retreat for relaxation or recreation away from public view. Spaces include front, back, or side yards and are for private use.

C.3 Private Rooftop Decks
A private, usable outdoor space built on a building's rooftop areas, providing areas for relaxation, dining, or entertainment. A popular amenity for residential developments, turning underutilized roof areas into functional outdoor spaces for residents. Rooftop spaces may also contain specialized on-structure planters to add greening and softscape areas.

Appendix C: Private Open Space Types
Size: at least ten feet in any direction, to allow the deck to function as an outdoor room.

Location & Application: located on upper building floors (usually the second floor or higher) on flattened external areas, interfacing and accessible from an adjacent
residential unit.

Development Frontage: multi-family residential and
individual residential units.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, for a single
residential unit.

Landscape: allowed to be fully hardscape paved, no
planted area or tree planting requirements.

Programming: intended to extend the living space
for limited passive uses like outdoor dining, barbeque, relaxation, views outward, etc.

Additional Requirements: Any shade devices that exceed
the height limit of the district shall be stepped back at least ten feet from any street-facing façade.

Size: at least 50 percent of lot dimension in one direction, and at least 25 percent of lot dimension, or 15 feet,
whichever is greater, in perpendicular direction.

Location & Application: located at ground level in back or side yard areas surrounding and accessible from a
residential unit.

Development Frontage: individual residential unit.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, for a single
residential unit.

Landscape: include a minimum of 25 percent planted
areas and a minimum of one 24-inch box tree.

Programming: intended to extend the living space outside for limited passive uses like outdoor dining, barbeque, relaxation, casual gathering, gardening, etc. Yard areas may include a patio with the overall yard space.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 35
C.5 Porches
A porch is a larger, often roofed structure at the front door, extending along the house, designed for outdoor living with furniture, railings, and columns, making it a functional extension of the home. Porches are for leisure and architectural grandeur.

Size: Between six feet and ten feet deep and at least ten feet wide, in conformity with standards in A.4.

Location & Application: Along the street frontage, within parameters given in A.4.

Development Frontage: Individual residential unit within a single-family or multifamily building.

Access & Usage: privately accessible, for a single
residential unit.

Landscape: No planted area or tree requirements.

Programming: intended to extend the living space outside and provide "eyes on the street". Limited passive uses such as relaxation, casual gatherings and views to the street.

Additional Requirements: n/a.

Appendix C: Private Open Space Types
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 36

DEFINITIONS
Alley: A narrow service way, either public or private,
that provides a permanently reserved but secondary
means of public access. Alleys typically are located
along rear property lines.

Arcade: Also known as Colonnades. A linear
sequence of arches supported on piers or columns
which provide a covered walkway.

Architectural Features: Towers, gables, spires,
chimneys, and other such architectural elements
which are not part of the structure of the building.

Architectural Projection: An element that articulates
the building elevations, such as architectural popouts, pot shelves, balconies, bay windows, eaves, enhanced window sills, shutter details, window trim,
chimneys, and similar architectural features, but does
not include patio covers, porches, trellises, or other
accessory structures.

Belt Course: Also known as a stringcourse or band
course. A continuous, horizontal band of masonry,
stone, plaster, or other material that runs across a
building façade. It typically projects slightly from the wall plane or is distinguished through material, color, or texture. Its purpose is to visually divide the façade into horizontal layers, helping to articulate massing
and break down the building’s scale.

Building Break In Mass: A deliberate architectural
interruption in the overall bulk, scale, or continuous
form of a building façade or volume.

Building Face: The outside elevation of the occupiable
portion of the building.

Building Façade: The exterior face or elevation of
a building, typically referring to one of its principal sides.

Common Area: The area within the development
hat is not designated as a residential dwelling unit,
which is owned in common by property owner(s)
in the development, and which is available for
common use or enjoyment by all property owners
in the development and their invitees. Examples
include: common parking facilities, private streets,
recreational areas, landscaped areas, open space
areas and natural areas.

Cornice: A exterior trim located at the top of a building façade or wall, designed to visually “cap,” finish, or
crown the structure. It typically extends outward from
the wall plane to create a strong shadow line and
provide a clear termination to the façade.

Daylit Basement: A walk-out basement, usually
situated on a slope, where part of the floor is above
ground. Typically with a doorway or window opening
to the outside.

Depth: Wherever it is not directly illustrated, depth
refers to the distance inward (away from outer edge)
from a facade or other surface.

Driveway: A private roadway or access way providing
vehicular access to a parking space, parking lot,
garage, dwelling, or other structure.

Fence: A solid or open barrier other than a wall above
ground intended to enclose or mark a boundary made
of materials such as wood, metal, other composite
materials.

Flashing: Sheet metal or other material used to cover
open joints of exterior construction on a roof, such as roof valley joints or roof parapet joints, to ensure they are waterproof.

Foot-candle: A unit of illuminance or light intensity.

The name conveys the illuminance cast on a surface
by a one-candela source one foot away. Alternatively,
it can be defined as the illuminance on a one-square
foot surface of which there is a uniformly distributed
flux of one lumen.

Gable End: When the ridge line of a gable-roofed
house is perpendicular to the street, the roof is said
to be a “gable-end roof.” This refers to both the gable and the wall below it.

Gable Roof: A roof with two (2) slopes—front and
rear—joining at a single ridge line parallel to the
entrance facade.

Entablature: A superstructure which lies horizontal
upon pilasters or columns, and is composed of an
architrave, frieze, and cornice.

Appendix D: Definitions
Architectural Feature Example: Towers, gables, and
chimneys pictured.

Architectural Projection Example: Pop-outs, balconies,
window sills, shutter details, and chimneys pictured.

Base Course: The lowest horizontal band or layer of
material along the bottom portion of a building façade.

It functions as a visually distinct base that grounds the building and differentiates the ground level from the
upper wall planes. A base course often uses heavier,
more durable, or more textured materials—such
as stone, brick, concrete, or masonry—to convey
structural stability and withstand physical wear.

Base Course (bottom), Belt Course (middle), Cornice
(top) Example
Bedroom: Any habitable room other than a bathroom,
kitchen, dining room, living room or family room.

Entablature Example
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 37
Ground Floor Expression Line: A horizontal molding,
projection, or other boundary articulating one portion
of a façade from the portion above.

Hardscape: Any impervious paved surface including
concrete or asphalt.

Hemmed: As it relates to metal wall panels, the edge
of a single piece of metal that is folded over onto itself to create a smooth, reinforced, and safe finish.

Hip Roof: A roof with four sloped sides. The sides
meet at a ridge at the center of the roof. Two (2) of the sides are trapezoidal in shape, while the remaining
two (2) sides are triangular, and thus meet the ridge
at its end-points.

Louvers: A series of slanted panels that control the
sound, light, and airflow in a building, which typically covers plenums and other ventilation openings.

Louvers typically block rain, debris, and direct
sun.

Massing: A unified composition of two-dimensional
shapes or three-dimensional volumes, especially one
that has or gives the impression of weight, density,
and bulk.

Open Space: Any parcel or area of land or water set
aside, dedicated, designated, or reserved for public
or private use or enjoyment.

Pane: One of the divisions of a window or door
consisting of a single unit of glass set in a frame.

Parapet: A low wall, located at the top of any sudden
drop in elevation, such as at the top of a building’s
facade.

Appendix D: Definitions
Ground Floor Expression Line Example
Parkway: A vehicular passageway that provides
access and circulation from a street access point
into and through a parking lot to parking aisles and
between parking areas.

Paseo: A public place or path designed for walking;
usually tree-lined, such as a promenade or avenue.

Porch: A covered pedestrian entrance to a building,
open on all three sides, which is located on the first
floor level.

Porte-cochere: A vehicular passageway leading
through a building or screen wall into an interior
courtyard; or a porch roof projecting over a driveway
at the entrance to a building and sheltering those
getting in or out of vehicles.

Primary Entry: The main entrance to any building, or
space within a building which is not internally linked to other spaces within a building, such as an individual
residential unit or retail storefront. Secondary
building entries and exits which are for emergency
egress purposes only or linkages between spaces in
a building do not qualify as primary entrances.

Primary Material: A material used to clad the exterior
of a building as distinct from accent materials used in architectural details or features.

Primary Street: Among all streets bounding a
property, the street with the highest roadway
classification as defined in the City's General Plan.

In the case that multiple streets bounding a property
have the same roadway classification, the primary
street shall be the addressed street, or as determined
by the Planning and Community Preservation
Director.

Private Open Space: Any space on a lot not
enclosed in a building that is designed for leisure use. “Private open space” may include yards, courtyards,
balconies, decks, and patios, but shall not include
driveways, aisles, parking areas, side yard less than
five feet wide, or any portion of the required front yard setback.

Private Realm: Spaces located on private property
that are not accessible to the general public.

Private Open Space and Reveal Example: Courts, decks,
patios, and reveal pictured.

Public Realm: Spaces that, whether located on
private or public property, are accessible to the
general public.

Reveal: A narrow, intentional recess, groove, or
setback in a wall plane that creates a visible line of
separation or shadow. Reveals are used to articulate
a façade, break up large surfaces, emphasize joints,
or provide visual depth without altering the overall
mass of a building.

Riding and hiking trails: A trail or way designed for
and used by equestrians, pedestrians and cyclists
using non-motorized bicycles.

Right-of-way: A corridor, either public or private, on
which a right of passage has been recorded.

Roof Deck: Common or private open space on the
uppermost roof-level of a building.

Setback: The distance from a defined point or line
governing the placement of buildings, structures,
parking, or uses on a lot. A line established by this
section to govern the placement of buildings with
respect to streets, drives, buildings, sidewalks, or
property lines. Interior setbacks are measured from
the side or rear property lines. Street setbacks are
measured from property lines.

Shared Parking: The shared use of off-street parking
facilities by more than one type of land use. The same
parking spaces are counted to satisfy the off- street
parking requirements of more than one land use,
e.g., use of the same parking facility to satisfy the offstreet parking requirements of a church and an office building.

Side Street: Any street bounding a property which is
not the Primary Street.

Stoop: A raised platform, approached by steps and
sometimes having a roof, at the entrance of a dwelling
unit.

Street: A public or private vehicular right-of-way,
other than an alley or driveway, including both local
streets and arterial highways.

Swimming Pool: An artificial body of water having
a depth in excess of eighteen (18) inches, designed,
constructed and used for swimming, dipping or
immersion purposes by men, women, or children.

Tooling: As it relates to mortar joints, is the process of compressing and shaping the fresh (partially set)
mortar with a metal tool to create a dense, weatherresistant finish and a specific appearance.

Transition Detail: A designed connection, junction,
or interface condition where two different materials,
surfaces, building elements, or façade systems
meet, such as reveals, flashing, control joints, coping, sealant joints, or trim boards.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 38
Ground
Floor
Upper
Floor
2’
10’
Floor Level
Floor Level
Transparency Measurement
Appendix D: Definitions
Transparency: The percentage of the façade area on
a particular floor that consists of transparent glass.

For the ground floor, this percentage is calculated
as the transparent glass façade area between two
and ten feet above finished grade divided by the
total façade area within this same vertical range. For
upper floors, this percentage is calculated as the
transparent glass façade area divided by the total
façade area between the floor level and the floor level of the next floor above.

To be transparent, window and door glazing shall
promote natural daylight transmission while
maintaining a low-reflective glazing appearance. The
minimum Visible Transmittance (VT) value for groundfloor glazing is 0.50, and the minimum VT value for upper-floor glazing is 0.30. Should the Building Code
prohibit glazing that meets these VT values, the
glazing with the maximum available VT value shall be
used.

Usable Area: A relatively flat area having a slope of
less than five (5) percent in any direction within the
required setbacks.

Use: The purpose for which land or building is
occupied, arranged, designed or intended, or for
which either land or building is or may be occupied
or maintained.

Walls: A barrier intended to mark a boundary that
presents a continuous surface except where pierced
with gates, doorways or decorative masonry. A wall
is usually constructed of concrete block, brick,
concrete, stucco, or a combination thereof.

Wall Plane: A continuous, flat surface of a wall,
uninterrupted by major changes in direction,
projection, or recess. It represents one “face” or
“segment” of a building’s exterior or interior wall
system and is typically defined by consistent
alignment, material, and structural direction.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 39
Appendix E: Record of Changes
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 40
Appendix F: Additional Project Background Information
Legal Basis for Objective Design Standards in California State Law

LEGAL BASIS FOR OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
Per Government Code 65913.4, Objective Design Standards "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 applicant or developer and the public official before submittal.” The following Senate bills (SB) and Assembly bills (AB) form the legal basis for objective design standards in California. Additional State bills signed into law in the future may interact with objective design standards.

SB 167 (2017) (codified in Section 65589.5 of the Government Code) Prohibits local governments from disapproving or conditioning approval in a manner that renders infeasible, a housing development project for very low, low-, or moderate- income households or an emergency shelter unless the local agency makes specific written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record. Under this Senate Bill local jurisdictions may not reduce density or make infeasible housing projects consistent with objective design standards.

Housing Crisis Act (SB 330) (2019) (codified in Sections 65589.5, 65940, 65943, 65950, 65905.5, 65913.10, and 65941.1, and Chapter 12 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code)
Streamlines housing development processes by imposing timelines on the approval of housing projects, limits the number of public hearings to 5, and limits denial of projects to non-compliance with objectively written design standards.

AB 2011 (2022) (codified in Sections 65400, 65585, and Chapter 4.1 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code) Allows eligible residential development projects in commercial areas that comply with housing affordability and/or labor standards to be subject to a streamlined, ministerial review process that is exempt from CEQA. As part of the ministerial process, design review may be undertaken by the City if only objective standards are evaluated.

SB 4 (2023) (codified in Section 65913.16 of the Government Code) Requires 100 percent Affordable Housing Projects proposed on land owned by religious institutions (and that meet all other requirements of SB 4) comply with all objective development standards of the city or county they are located in that do not conflict with SB 4. As part of the ministerial process, design review may be undertaken by a City if only objective standards are evaluated.

SB 423 (2023) (codified in Section 65913.4 of the Government Code) Requires cities to streamline review and approval of eligible affordable housing projects through a ministerial process. As part of the ministerial process, design review may be undertaken by the City if only objective standards are evaluated.

SB 684 (2023) and SB 1123 (2024) (SB 684 is codified in Sections 65852.28, 65913.4.5, and 66499.41 of the Government Code) (SB 1123 is codified in Sections 65852.28 and 66499.41 of the Government Code)
Requires local agencies to ministerially approve, without discretionary review or a public hearing, parcel map or tentative and final maps for housing development projects of ten or fewer residential units on urban lots of less than five acres. SB 684 further specifies that the proposed subdivision must be located on a parcel zoned for multifamily residential use, no larger than five acres, and substantially surrounded by qualified urban uses. Per these laws, Cities may impose objective design standards, except for those which physically preclude the development of a project built to specified densities.

Additionally, objective design standards may not be imposed related to setback between units, enclosed or covered parking, side and rear setbacks different from the original lot line, certain parking requirements, and certain minimum FARs.

LEGAL BASIS FOR OBJECTIVE DESIGN

STANDARDS
See the table to the right for a review of the legal basis for objective design standards.

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 41
Appendix F: Additional Project Background Information

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE CONTEXT
The City of Sierra Madre, nestled at the foot of the
San Gabriel Mountains, lies between the cities of
Pasadena to the west and Arcadia to the east. The
City currently is home to 11,000 citizens. The City of
Sierra Madre was founded in 1881. In the late 1800s,
the City was a small village, with a Post Office and
City Hall, surrounded by orange orchards. In 1907,
Sierra Madre was incorporated with a population of
500 citizens. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the
City of Sierra Madre's Downtown developed with
commercial buildings, churches, the Sierra Madre
Villa Hotel, and more.

In the early 1900s, residential development in Sierra
Madre was characterized by the development of large
two story homes built on large lots. These two story
homes were built in the Craftsman and Victorian
architectural styles. Many of these historic homes
remain well preserved in Sierra Madre's residential
neighborhoods. The 1930s-1940s saw a transition from
Sierra Madre's large two story Craftman and Victorian
homes to the development of "good"-quality stucco
homes on smaller lots in closer proximity. In these
decades, Sierra Madre moved closer to the present
day suburban community built form. The 1950s-1960s
saw significant residential growth in Sierra Madre. In
this post-war period, comfortable single family homes
were developed in close proximity on smaller lots. As
of 2020, 76 percent of residential units in the City are single family homes and 62 percent of all residental
units are owner occupied.

Since the 1960s, residential development in Sierra
Madre has been characterized by infill development
in the main town and residential expansion into
hillside areas. Most multifamily apartment buildings
were built in Sierra Madre from the late 1950s to
the late 1970s. A smaller amount of multifamily
apartment buildings were built in Sierra Madre in the
1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The majority of multifamily
apartment buildings in Sierra Madre are located
along Sierra Madre Boulevard, Mariposa Avenue,
Esperanza Avenue, Highland Avenue, and Suffolk
Avenue. Multifamily housing is located in the center
of the City, on and close to Sierra Madre Boulevard
and single family areas branch out north, south, east,
and west from the City center.

Most of the multifamily building stock is characterized by the garden/courtyard apartment style, bungalow
court style, or the townhome style. Additionally, the
majority of multifamily building stock are one or two
stories tall, with only a few examples standing out at
three stories tall. Mixed use development is currently
unprecedented in Sierra Madre. Downtown Sierra
Madre remains commercially focused. Today, the
majority of Sierra Madre is built out, meaning infill
development is the primary development pattern.

Due to the varying multifamily structure forms in
the City, the City of Sierra Madre's Objective Design
Standards groups multifamily buildings into two
categories, house scale and block scale, according
to their physical form and scale.

Areas with house scale buildings are originally single
family neighborhoods which have been rezoned to
accommodate multifamily uses. Typically in these
areas, there is a variety of development types,
some which represent compatible design and some
which represent incompatible design. Successfully
designed projects are multifamily projects designed
in keeping with the original single family house scale
of the neighborhood. These types of projects include
well designed townhomes, garden apartments, and
bungalow courts.

Block scale areas are located mostly along commercial
corridors or in industrial areas that have been
rezoned to accommodate multifamily uses and mixed
uses. Residential development in block scale areas
is typically higher density mixed use development.

These high density mixed use developments are
typically a half to a full block long.

Older Bungalow Court Development in Sierra Madre Older Garden Apartment Development in Sierra Madre Recent Townhome Development in Sierra Madre Recent Townhome Development in Sierra Madre CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 42
Appendix F: Additional Project Background Information
House Scale vs. Block Scale
House Scale buildings contribute to a smaller-scale,
neighborhood-oriented environment. These buildings
are generally up to three stories in height, maintain
setbacks from the street or sidewalk, are compatible
with traditional residential patterns, and achieve
densities less than roughly 40-50 units per acre.

House Scale buildings often resemble the massing,
rhythm, and proportions of detached houses, even
when containing multiple units. Objective design
standards which are especially applicable to house
scale buildings include residential privacy, frontage
types like patio, porch, and stoop, and private open
space types. House Scale building types include:
• Multiple detached dwellings on a lot
• Duplexes
• Triplexes
• Fourplexes
• Bungalow Courts
• Courtyard Apartments
• Rowhouses
• Townhouses
• Small-scale mixed-use buildings with
neighborhood-serving ground-floor uses
Block scale buildings contribute to a larger-scale,
urban environment, often occupying most or all
of a city block. These buildings are typically taller
and broader in massing, are built close to or at the
street or sidewalk, and create continuous façades
that define the public realm. Block Scale buildings
commonly feature mixed-use configurations,
with non-residential uses on the ground floor and
residential units on the upper stories, supporting
active commercial corridors and higher-density
neighborhoods. Objective design standards which
are most applicable to block scale buildings include
building breaks, ground floor minimum heights, wall
plane depth, transparency, stepbacks, common open
space types, and frontage types such as shopfront
and common entry. Block Scale building types
include:
• Mid-rise Buildings
• Podium Buildings
• Wrap Buildings House and Block Scale Zones

HOUSE AND BLOCK SCALE ZONES
House Scale Zones
Zones that contain buildings that contribute to a smaller-scale, neighborhood-oriented environment. House scale buildings include multiple detached dwellings on a lot, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, bungalow courts, courtyard apartments, rowhouses, townhouses, and small-scale mixed-use buildings with neighborhood-serving ground-floor uses.

House Scale Zones in Sierra Madre: Medium/High Density Residential (R-3-13) Zone, High Density Residential (R-3-20 and R-3-30) Zone, Manufacturing (M) Zone Block Scale Zones
Zones that contain buildings that contribute to a larger-scale, urban environment, often occupying most or all of a city block. Block scale buildings include mid-rise buildings, podium buildings, and wrap buildings.

Block Scale Zone in Sierra Madre: Commercial (C) Zone, Religious Housing Overlay (RHO) Zone
Two- to Four- plexes Rowhomes Courtyard Apartments
Podium Mixed-Use Wrap Multiplex
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 43
Appendix F: Additional Project Background Information
Area for potential growth in Sierra Madre Survey of multifamily residential buildings in Sierra Madre Survey of multifamily residential buildings in Sierra Madre Area for potential growth in Sierra Madre documents, The Arroyo Group Team was able to glean
five key best practices, which are expounded upon in
the introduction.

Additionally, The Arroyo Group Team conducted
fieldwork within the cities of Sierra Madre, Alhambra,
and Duarte. Exhibit C identifies the specific locations where fieldwork was conducted in each City. In
Exhibit D, The Arroyo Group Team surveyed districts
in each City where growth and development is most
expected, such as the areas shown in images at right,
to determine prevailing character features that may
need to be reflected in objective design standards.

Exhibit E contains a field evaluation of individual
projects in the three cities. Key design issues were
identified for these projects, for consideration when
developing the objective design standards.

Exhibit F identifies other projects in the San Gabriel
Valley which present good examples of the application
of particular design guidelines and/or standards. The
projects include examples of:
• Mixed-use developments with stacked flats
above a ground-floor retail and parking podium
• “Wrap” style residential and mixed-use
developments with stacked flats surrounding
a central parking garage
• Master-planned communities
• Townhome developments
• Side-by-side double duplexes
• Courtyard multifamily developments
Based on research from the Memo, the Regional
Objective Design Standards were developed to
be in alignment with current design guidelines and
standards in the four cities. The Regional document's
design standards reflect successfully designed
projects and built character in the four cities.

Cost Factors
Design standards are essential tools that cities
use to ensure buildings are of high quality, safe,
and visually appealing. However, even the clearest
and most objective standards can add costs and
complexity to projects. If these standards are too
restrictive or numerous, they can drive up housing
costs or even prevent projects before they start.

Therefore, regulating design is a delicate balancing
act between maximizing placemaking, enhancing
overall neighborhood value, and managing
project costs. According to the Association of Bay
Area Governments Objective Design Standards
Handbook, the following types of objective design
standards which impact building massing have the
greatest impact on the cost of developments:
• Requiring of construction materials
• High ground floor ceiling heights
• Frontage types which reduce building square
footages
• Upper floor stepbacks which requires more
complex engineering
• Projecting elements which require
weatherization
• Setback standards
• Requiring certain types of open space, such
as balconies and rooftop decks
In developing the Regional Objective Design
Standards, it was taken into account how specific
design standards could increase housing costs
and impact project feasibility. However, it is also
important to encourage successful, context specific
developments while also prioritizing the economic
feasibility of projects. The Regional Objective Design
Standards were intended to encourage the creation
of high quality, visually appealing buildings that
benefit not only the project's residents but also the
surrounding neighborhood.

STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Four cities, Sierra Madre, Alhambra, La Puente,
and Duarte, participated in the development of the
SGVCOG's Regional Objective Design Standards.

Each of the four participating cities features a different planning and design context. Diverse input from
the participating cities informed the development
of strong objective design standards which are
applicable across the San Gabriel Valley.

Input from the four participating cities along with
information gathered during the background research
phase form the base of knowledge upon which the
SGVCOG Regional Objective Design Standards
were developed. The City of Sierra Madre's Objective
Design Standards were adapted from the SGVCOG's
Regional Objective Design Standards. The Arroyo
Group Team created a comprehensive Regional
Objective Design Standards Research Memorandum
(attached to this document as Appendix E) which
includes findings from four areas of research:

1. Existing regulatory context, design standards
and experience implementing design
standards in each city

2. Best practices in objective design standards
from other jurisdictions and regions in
California

3. Fieldwork into the built context and character
of the major growth areas in each of the three
participating cities

4. Identification of existing projects in the San
Gabriel Valley which embody the application
of potential design standards
Exhibit A of the Memo describes existing design
standards in three participating cities, Sierra Madre,
Alhambra, and Duarte. La Puente joined as a
participating City later in the project process, after
our background research was completed. This exhibit
includes all existing objective design standards
and relevant development standards in each City,
organized by topic for comparison.

Exhibit B (Comparison Objective Design Standards)
of the Memo presents an evaluation of other objective
design standards used at the municipal and regional
level. While there is wide variety in the format of these CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 44
Appendix F: Additional Project Background Information

DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS
This section outlines how individual projects are to
be reviewed after adoption of the objective design
standards. We cover three potential design review
processes: 1. the Planning Commission (PC) Design
Review Process; 2. the Modified Staff-Level Design
Review Approval Process and 3. the Streamlined
Ministerial Review Process.

1. Planning Commission Design Review Process
The Planning Commission Design Review process
(Municipal Code (MC) Section 17.28.070 and 17.60.041)
applies to applicable developments in the Medium/
High Density Residential (R-3-13) zone, Commercial
(C) zone, and Manufacturing (M) zone. The benefits of
a PC Design Review Process include allowing public
input increasing transparency through hearings,
allows for limited PC discretion, and allows the
developer to hear community concerns and choose
to make voluntary changes to project design. In most
cases, Design Review is required for new multifamily
and mixed use developments. The findings for the
PC Design Review process is based on subjective
guidelines and standards along with adopted policies.

However, amendments to the PC Design Review
process must be made to comply with State law.

Upon receiving the Design Review application,
Planning and Community Preservation staff will
review the application for compliance with zoning
regulations, the General Plan, Objective Design
Standards, and subjective design guidelines adopted
pre-2020. Staff may only consider subjective design
guidelines if they do not reduce density or make
the development infeasible. Following this review,
City staff will make a recommendation to the PC to
approve, condition, or deny. Chapter 17.50 (Objective
Design Standards) of the Municipal Code provides
a process by which project applicants can request
exceptions from objective design standards. The
Planning Commission would be the reviewing
authority for these exception applications.

The PC will hold a public hearing to approve,
condition, or deny the application. The PC will review
the application for compliance, similar to Staff review.

Per the Housing Accountability Act, the PC cannot
deny or condition a mixed-income application if it is
consistent with the zoning regulations and General
Plan. The PC cannot deny or reduce the density of a
project unless not reducing it would cause a specific,
adverse impact to the project's surroundings.

2. Modified Staff-Level Design Review Approval
Process The StaffLevel Design Review process with a Preliminary Design Review hearing with the Planning Commission
applies to applicable developments in the High
Density Residential (R-3-20 and R-3-30) zones and
Religious Housing Overlay (RHO) zones.

Modified Staff-Level Design Review provides a
faster review, more consistency, more certainty,
and a reduced staffing need with less PC hearings.

The process is sped up with the reduction to one
Preliminary Design Review hearing. This review
process applies to multifamily and mixed use projects.

City staff shall review the project for compliance
with zoning regulations, the General Plan, Objective
Design Standards, and subjective design guidelines
adopted pre-2020. The project will go through one
Preliminary Design Review hearing where the Planning
Commission will give comments on the design.

City staff will make a decision to approve, deny, or
refer the project to the Planning Commission for the
approval or denial decision. Chapter 17.50 (Objective
Design Standards) of the Municipal Code provides
a process by which project applicants can request
exceptions from objective design standards. The
Planning and Community Preservation Director
would be the reviewing authority for these exception
applications.

3. Streamlined Ministerial Review Process This
review process applies to multifamily and mixed use
projects which are being streamlined through SB 4,
SB 423, or AB 2011. If the development is in zones R-3- 13, C, or M, the development will go through Planning
Commission Design Review. If the development is in
zones R-3-20, R-3-30, or RHO, the development will
go through the Modified Staff-Level Design Review.

The timeline for approval or denial is within 90 days
for developments with 150 units or less, or 180 days
for developments with more than 150 units.

Streamlined Ministerial Review Process
Modified Staff-Level Design Review Approval Process
Planning Commission Design Review Process
Staff Review
Compliance with Zoning Regs, Objective
Design Standards (ODS), & Pre-2020
Design Guidelines
Recommendation
to Approve
PC Hearing
Approve Deny/Condition
Application Submittal
Recommendation
to Deny
Staff Review
Compliance with Zoning Regs, General Plan, Objective Design Standards, and Pre-2020 Design Guidelines
Rec. for PC Review
Approve Deny
Application Submittal
Approve Deny
Application Submittal
Qualifies for Planning Commission
Design Review
Qualifies for Modified Staff-Level
Design Review
Preliminary PC Hearing
(comments given)
Staff Review
Must abide by streamlined timeline:
90 days for developments with 150 units or less
180 days for developments with more than 150 units.

Exception Request
Staff Review
Evaluate Findings
Exception Request
Staff Review
Evaluate Findings
CITY OF SIERRA MADRE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 45
External Source List for Images and
Graphics:

All images and graphics not identified in this list are the property of either The Arroyo Group of ONYX
Architects.

Page 79 ends

Top left image: TrioAptsPasadena (https://www.
trioaptspasadena.com)
Bottom left image: Zillow.com (https://www.zillow.
com/homedetails/1015-N-Citrus-Ave-CovinaCA-91722/122236404_zpid/) Top right image: Solana at Duarte Station (https://
www.solanaduarte.com/gallery/)
Bottom right image: Trulia.com (https://www.
trulia.com/home/103-n-catalina-ave-pasadenaca-91106-250338849)

Page 19 ends

Bottom right image: Loftway (https://loftway.com/
buildings/station-lofts-pasadena/)

Page 20 ends

Bottom right image: Gem City Images (http://www.
gemcityimages.com/2021/06/avalon-monrovia.html)

Page 23 ends

Bottom right image: Homes.com (https://www.homes.
com/real-estate-agents/mingyang-gao/fh9l7yt/)

Page 26 ends

Bottom image: The Cultural Landscape Foundation
(https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/plaza-las-fuentes)

Page 27 ends

Top left image: Playavista.com (https://playavista.
com/sustainability-begins-here/)
Bottom left image: Francis Krahe & Associates
(https://www.fkaild.com/united-states/playa-vistaparks)

Page 28 ends

Top left image: National Core (https://nationalcore.
org/communities/marvs-place/)
Top right image: Playavista.com (https://playavista.
com/)
Bottom right image: Budzet.krakow.pl (https://budzet.
krakow.pl/)

Page 29 ends

Top left image: Ace/121 Gallery (https://ace121gallery. com/)
Top right image: Pasadena Star News (https://
www.pasadenastarnews.com/2019/12/30/explorepasadena-come-for-the-roses-stay-for-theshopping/) Bottom right image: Yelp courtesy of Maruko X

Page 30 ends

Top left image: Yelp courtesy of Diana G
Bottom left image: Sierra: The Magazine of the Sierra
Club (https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/green-life/
how-green-your-alley)
Top right image: Excellencepremierrealestate.com
(https://www.excellencepremierrealestate.com/
property/virtual-tour/651341447)
Bottom right image: Zillow (https://www.zillow.
com/homedetails/521-Venice-Way-VeniceCA-90291/2056165775_zpid/)

Page 31 ends

Bottom left image: The Orchard Apartments
(Downtown Azusa) (https://theorchardazusa.com/)
Top right image: Alexan Marmont (https://
alexanmarmont.com/)
Bottom right image: Esperanza Apartments Duarte
Station (https://www.liveesperanza.com/)

Page 32 ends

Top image: Newman Garrison + Partners - Parking
Landing Apartments (https://nggpartners.com/
portfolio-item/park-landing-buena-park-ca/)
Bottom image: San Diego Tribune (https://www.
sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/05/25/ucsdbuilding-has-green-roof/)

Page 33 ends

Top left Image: Solana at Duarte Station (https://www.
solanaduarte.com/gallery/)
Bottom left image: City of Alhambra (https://www.
alhambraca.gov/770/801-817-East-Main-Street-and17-25-North) Bottom right image: Zillow (https://www.zillow.
com/homedetails/1015-N-Citrus-Ave-CovinaCA-91722/122236404_zpid/)

Page 34 ends

Top left image: Loopnet (https://www.loopnet.
com/Listing/216-N-Coronado-St-Los-AngelesCA/35954028/) Bottom left image: Duradeck (https://duradek.
com/vinyl-decking/vinyl-decking-applications/roofdecks/) Both right images: Sue Cook, Listing Agent,
via Compass (https://www.compass.com/
homedetails/280-W-Montecito-Ave-Unit-H-SierraMadre-CA-91024/1IUFJL_pid/) Appendix G: External Image Sources

CITY OF
SIERRA
MADRE

STAFF REPORT

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Consideration of Appointments to City Boards and Commissions

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Discuss commissioners and trustees seeking reappointment to a serve a full term, effective July 1, 2026; and

2. Consider five applications for the filling of two seats on the Community Services Commission, effective July 1, 2026.

SUMMARY
Commissioners and trustees are appointed by the City Council to serve four-year terms and do not receive compensation. Each appointed position is eligible for two full terms. Full terms begin July 1 of the appointed year and conclude on June 30 of the term-ending year. Commissioners/board members appointed to serve a partial term for an unscheduled vacancy are then eligible to serve two full terms, at the conclusion of their partial term.

Attachment 1 lists the current roster of City board and commission appointees along with their term information.

Pursuant to Government Code section 54972, each City must prepare an appointments list that shall include:

1. A list of all appointive terms which will expire during the next calendar year, with the name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment, the date the term expires, and the necessary qualifications for the position; and

2. A list of all boards, commissions, and committees whose members serve at the pleasure of the City Council.

DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
All commissions and boards have members whose terms are ending on June 30, 2026 and are seeking to serve a full-term, effective July 1, 2026. The Community Services Commission is the only commission with two anticiated vacancies. Commissioner Carlson is completing her first term on June 30, 2026 and is not seeking reappointment.

Commissioner Bonenfant has notified the City Clerk's Office that she instends to step down from her position as Commissioner, leaving an unscheduled vacancy.

The City Clerk's Office has solicited applications for the two upcoming vacancies and received five responses, as of June 16, 2026. The five applicants are (in alphabetical order):

Robert Bischoff
Janette Ledea
Dwayne Riley
Michael Carlton Stretton
Kellie Strubinski
The charts below reflect the current make-up of each commission and board. Highlighted names are elibible for a full-term and seeking reappointment.

PLANNING COMMISSION
Helps plan for growth and development in Sierra Madre by advising on long-range goals, policies and programs on a broad array of issues related to land use, modification to and administration of zoning regulations, historical preservation and review of other programs and projects which affect city development. Additionally, the Commission has specific responsibility for the stewardship and maintenance of Sierra Madre's General Plan.

Commissioner Name Current Term Began Current Term Ends Term Currently Serving *Patrick Simcock 2023 2026 Partial
Tom Denison 2023 2027 2nd Term
Christine Moran 2023 2027 1st Term
Kevin Brennan 2024 2028 1st Term
**Yong Yoo 2025 2029 1st Term
* Appointed on 1/10/23 to
fill unscheduled vacancy
(Spears)
**Appointed on 2/02/2023
to fill unscheduled
vacancy (Dallas)

NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
To enhance quality of life in the community by promoting good stewardship of precious environmental and natural resources.

Commissioner Name Current Term Began Current Term Ends Term Currently Serving William Patzert 2022 2026 1st Term
Vicky Ryan 2022 2026 1st Term
Kimberly Rodriguez 2026 2027 2nd Term
Jane Nelsen 2024 2028 1st Term
*Allison Evans 2025 2029 1st Term
*Appointed 7/01/2022 to
fill unscheduled vacancy
(Dasher)

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
Responsible for overseeing the City’s recreation services, programs, special events, parks, and facilities.

Commissioner Name Current Term Began Current Term Ends Term Currently Serving Roxxi Bartlett 2022 2026 1st Term
Lisa Carlson 2022 2026 1st Term
Ashley Bonenfant 2023 2027 1st Term
Geoffrey Woods 2023 2027 1st Term
Ann Palmber 2024 2028 1st Term
Student Jack Spicer 2026 2027 1st Term

SENIOR COMMUNITY COMMISSION
Responsible for defining the needs, locating and publicizing available resources, coordinating and initiating services and opportunities for the senior population of Sierra Madre.

Commissioner Name Current Term Began Current Term Ends Term Currently Serving *Eric Friedman 2025 2026 Partial Term
Mary Carney 2024 2028 1st Term
Steve Heydorff 2024 2028 1st Term
Teresa Chaure 2025 2029 1st Term
Mia Khadour 2025 2029 1st Term
*Appointed 8/26/2025 to
fill unscheduled vacancy
(Pergola)

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Establishes Library policies and programs to ensure that quality programs are provided to the community.

Recommends an annual budget to the City Council for approval.

Trustee Name Current Term Began Current Term Ends Term Currently Serving Leigh Gluck 2022 2026 1st Term
Diane Sands 2022 2026 1st Term
Susan Gallagher 2023 2027 1st Term
Catherine Adde 2025 2029 2nd Term
Laura Palmer 2025 2029 2nd Term
Student Kareem AbuRayyan 2026 2027 1st Term
Student Shania Wong 2026 2027 1st Term

STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
Strategic Objective: Promote an unparalleled quality of life with an engaged and collaborative culture.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Not a CEQA Project under: 14 CCR 15378(b)(5)- organizational or administrative activities

FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund as a result of the recommended action.

Approved by:
___________________________
Michael Bruckner
City Manager
Attachments
Local Appointment List 2026.pdf
City of Sierra Madre

LOCAL APPOINTMENTS LIST
Notice of Board, Commission, and Committee Appointments Pursuant to Government Code Section 54972
The City of Sierra Madre encourages residents to apply for positions on City commissions and boards. Each member of a City commission/board shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. Anyone interested in applying may do so by completing an application available in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall or by downloading an application found on the City’s website at SierraMadreCA.gov Commissioners and trustees are appointed by the City Council to serve one term and do not receive compensation.

Each appointed position is eligible for two full terms. Unless otherwise noted, terms begin on July 1st and culminate on June 30 in the term-ending year.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held in Council Chambers located at 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
1 | P a g e
PLANNING COMMISSION (4-Year Term) - Meets monthly on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Helps plan for growth and development in Sierra Madre by advising on long-range goals, policies and programs on a broad array of issues related to land use, modification to and administration of zoning regulations, historical preservation and review of other programs and projects which affect city development. Additionally, the Commission has specific responsibility for the stewardship and maintenance of Sierra Madre's General Plan.

Staff Liaison: Clare Lin, Planning and Community Development Preservation Director Commissioner
Current Term
Began
July 1
Current
Term Ends
June 30
Term Currently
Serving
*Patrick Simcock 2023 2026 Partial
Tom Denison 2023 2027 2nd Term
Christine Moran 2023 2027 1st Term
Kevin Brennan 2024 2028 1st Term
**Yong Yoo 2025 2029 1st Term
*Appointed on 1/10/2023 to fill unscheduled vacancy (Bob Spears) **Appointed on 2/02/2023 to fill unscheduled vacancy (Peggy Dallas) NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION (4-Year Term) - Meets the 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

To enhance quality of life in the community by promoting good stewardship of precious environmental and natural resources.

Staff Liaison: James Carlson, Senior Management Analyst Commissioner
Current Term
Began
July 1
Current Term
Ends
June 30
Term Currently
Serving
William Patzert 2022 2026 1st Term
Vicky Ryan 2022 2026 1st Term
Kimberly Rodriguez 2023 2027 2nd Term
Jane Nelsen 2024 2028 1st Term
*Allison Evans 2025 2029 1st Term
*Appointed 7/1/2022 to fill unscheduled vacancy (Carolyn Dasher) City of Sierra Madre

Each appointed position is eligible for two full terms. Unless otherwise noted, terms begin on July 1st and culminate on June 30 in the term-ending year.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held in Council Chambers located at 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
2 | P a g e
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION (4-Year Term)
Responsible for overseeing the City’s recreation services, programs, special events, parks, and facilities.

Meets the 3rd Monday at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers Staff Liaison: Ted Tegart, Community Services Supervisor Commissioner Current Term Began
July 1
Current Term Ends
June 30
Term Currently
Serving
Roxxi Barlett 2022 2026 1st Term
Lisa Carlson 2022 2026 1st Term
Ashley Bonenfant 2023 2027 1st Term
Geoffrey Woods 2023 2027 1st Term
Ann Palmer 2024 2028 1st Term
Student Jack Spicer 2026 2027 1
st term

SENIOR COMMUNITY COMMISSION (4-Year Term)
Responsible for defining the needs, locating and publicizing available resources, coordinating and initiating services and opportunities for the senior population of Sierra Madre.

Meets the 1st Thursday at 3:00 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers Staff Liaison: Ted Tegart, Community Services Supervisor Commissioner Current Term Began
July 1
Current Term Ends
June 30
Term Currently
Serving
*Eric Friedman 2025 2026 Partial Term
Mary Carney 2024 2028 1st Term
Steve Heydorff 2024 2028 1st Term
Teresa Chaure 2025 2029 1st Term
Mia Khadour 2025 2029 1st Term
*Appointed 8/26/2025 to fill unscheduled vacancy (Jacquie Pergola) City of Sierra Madre

Each appointed position is eligible for two full terms. Unless otherwise noted, terms begin on July 1st and culminate on June 30 in the term-ending year.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held in Council Chambers located at 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
3 | P a g e
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES (4-Year Term) - Meets the 4th Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Establishes Library policies and programs to ensure that quality programs are provided to the community.

Recommends an annual budget to the City Council for approval.

Staff Liaison: Leila Regan, Director of Library Services Trustee
Current Term
Began
July 1
Current
Term Ends
June 30
Term Currently
Serving
Leigh Gluck 2022 2026 1st Term
Diane Sands 2022 2026 1st Term
Susan Gallagher 2023 2027 1st Term
Catherine Adde 2025 2029 2nd Term
Laura Palmer 2025 2029 2nd Term
Student Kareem Abu-Rayyan 2026 2027 1st Term
Student Shania Wong 2026 2027 1st Term
I, Laura M. Aguilar, City Clerk of the City of Sierra Madre, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing Local Appointments List was prepared pursuant to provisions of Government Code Section 54972 and posted in bulletin board located Sierra Madre City Hall, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre on June 10, 2026.

Laura M. Aguilar
City Clerk
City of Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre City CouncilJune 23, 2026

Sierra Madre City Council
June 23, 2026