Attachment C - Materials Distributed for Planning Commission Study Sessions
Policies within the Existing City-Wide Design Guidelines that Apply to Single Family Homes
The following is a list of policies that staff has identified as being related to single family home design. Some of the policies have been reorganized into sections that more closely describe their subject matter. Policies in bold indicate controversial or key policies that could use additional clarification or illustration.
I. SITE DESIGN
New development shall adhere to the character of the existing neighborhood and be integrated into the surrounding development. New development shall not dominate or interfere with the established character of its neighborhood. Site design of projects shall be cohesive both functionally and visually.
SETTING (5)
A1. New projects shall be compatible with their surrounding development in intensity, setbacks, building forms, material, color, and landscaping.
A2. Site design shall respect existing roadway patterns and driveways. Align new curb cuts with existing driveways and streets for streetscape continuity.
A3. Develop transition between projects with different uses and intensities to provide a cohesive visual and functional shift. Create transition by using appropriate setbacks, gradual building height, bulk, and landscaping.
A7. Site design of projects shall protect existing nearby heritage structures and trees.
B16. Consider energy efficiency in the siting of buildings. Shading of structures along the east, west, and south walls is recommended.
II. BUILDING DESIGN
Buildings shall enhance the neighborhood and be harmonious in character, style, scale, color and materials with existing buildings in the neighborhood.
SETBACK (1)
A2. Provide variety in front setbacks, within a reasonable range, for single family detached residences and multi-unit attached building within the same development to create diversity along residential streets.
SCALE AND CHARACTER (6)
B1. Break up large buildings into groups of smaller segments whenever possible, to appear smaller in mass and bulk.
B2. Adjacent buildings shall be compatible in height and scale.
B3. Buildings and additions shall not shade more than 10% of the structures or open space areas on adjacent properties for proper solar access.
B4. Buildings shall maintain similar horizontal and vertical proportions with the adjacent facades to maintain architectural unity.
B6. Maintain the dominant existing scale of an area. Second story additions in a predominantly one story residential neighborhood should appear as one story.
B11. Maintain the scale and character of the existing main structure in building additions by retaining similar proportions and rhythm present on the main structures.
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN (5)
C1. Maintain diversity and individuality in style but be compatible with the character of the neighborhood.
C2. In areas where no prevailing architectural style exist, maintain the general neighborhood character by the use of similar scale, forms, and materials providing that it enhances the neighborhood.
C9. Include decorative building elements in the design of all buildings. Add more interest to buildings by incorporating changes in wall plane and height, arcades, porticos, trellises, porches, balconies, dormers, windows, opening, etc.
C10. Repeat design and decorative building elements in all elevations and the roof, not just in the front facade.
C11. Windows and openings shall be consistent with the architectural style of buildings and maintain similar proportions and rhythm with those on adjacent buildings.
PRIVACY (3) This is not an actual section in the existing design guidelines. The policies are scattered throughout the document.
C18. (Moved from Architecture and Design) Consider privacy in placement of windows on adjacent structures in residential areas. Stagger windows, use high, frosted, or no windows where privacy is a concern.
B7. (Moved from Scale and Character) Placement of windows and openings on second story additions shall not create a direct line of sight into the living space or the back yard of adjacent properties to maintain privacy.
C7. (Moved from Open Space) Private open space in one unit shall not be in the direct line of sight of other units. Privacy may be provided by means of grade changes and staggering of the balconies and patios, use of fences, walls, dense landscaping, and trellises.
ACCESSORY UTILITY BUILDINGS (8)
D1. Accessory buildings must comply with the requirements of Section 19.40.042 of the Municipal Code.
D2. Do not locate accessory buildings in front setback areas between the main structures and public streets.
D3. The style, material, and color of accessory buildings visible from public streets shall be the same as those of the main structures.
D4. Accessory buildings shall be proportional to the main structures in size and bulk. Avoid dominating site areas by accessory buildings.
D5. Carport design, materials, and colors shall be the same as main buildings. Enclose side elevations of carports to screen support columns on both ends.
D7. Include fascias in carport roof design to screen support beams and trusses.
D8. Carport roofs shall mimic roof design of the main building.
D9. Support columns shall be proportional to the structure in carports (matchstick columns are not acceptable).
ROOF (6)
E1. New roofs shall be consistent in form and shape with the dominant roof form in the neighborhood.
E3. Long horizontal rooflines are not acceptable. Interrupt roofline by architectural treatment and features. The maximum allowable unbroken roofline is 30 feet.
E4. Vary roof levels and forms on a large building to create diversity and to decrease the apparent scale of the building.
E6. Roofs shall be an integral part of building design. False mansard roofs are not acceptable.
E8. Standing seam metal mansard roof design is strongly discouraged.
E10. Obtain a true shadow effect where non-wood shingles are used by using materials with more depth and texture.
MATERIAL AND COLOR (5)
F4. Choose high quality materials and paint to prevent degradation and for ease of maintenance.
F5. Use wrought iron, cast iron, or high quality wood for decorative features and trims.
F6. Coordinate exterior colors of adjacent structures on the same or adjacent sites.
F7. Use strong, bright contrasting colors for ornaments and accent only.
F8. Coordinate color and material of building additions with those of the principal structure.
PARKING (3)
A10. Long term storage of recreational vehicles and boats on front driveways of residential buildings is discouraged to avoid visual impacts on the neighborhood. Covered permanent parking areas/storage areas are recommended.
A11. No more than 50% of the front setback area can be paved for driveways in single family residential projects (Section 19.40.60) to maintain landscaping along residential streets.
A5. (From Setting Section) Minimize paved areas for curb cuts and parking on the street frontage of projects to maintain a continuous and attractive streetscape.
IV. LANDSCAPING
Landscaping shall be used to enhance sites and buildings, control climate and noise, create transition between adjacent uses, unify various site components, and define and separate functions and activities.
LANDSCAPING (8)
A2. Preserve and incorporate existing natural features, particularly trees, on a site into the landscape design of projects (Tree Preservation Ordinance).
A3. Use of a Certified Arborist or landscape architect to protect existing trees during construction is encouraged.
A4. Properly landscape all areas not covered by structures, driveways, and parking.
A5. Landscaping shall always consist of live plant material. Use of colored rock, wood bark, and gravel in place of landscaping is not acceptable.
A6. Choose a variety of plant material with different textures and colors. Use water-wise plant material, as specified in the Landscape regulations.
C7. (From Architecture Section) Utilize landscaping around the perimeter of new buildings to enhance buildings, not to cover an unacceptable design.
A4. (From Setting Section) Integrate perimeter landscaping with the landscaping of adjacent developments for streetscape continuity.
A6. (From Setting Section) Preserve natural site features such as mature trees, creeks, views, etc. and incorporate into the site design of the new project (Tree Preservation Ordinance).
FENCES AND WALLS (5)
E1. Fences and walls shall be compatible in style and material with the main structures on a site.
E2. To avoid the monotony of long solid walls and fences around the perimeter of projects, variation in height, texture, and color is recommended.
E4. For front yard fences in residential areas, open decorative type fences, such as picket, post, and rail are preferred.
E5. Privacy fences over 6 ft. high in residential areas shall consist of lattice work for that portion of fence being over 6 ft. high.
E6. Chain link and barbed wire fences are not allowed in residential areas. In non-residential areas chain link fences are acceptable on school grounds and within parks.
Return to RTC# 02-292