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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9748DocuSign Envelope ID: 959EC5E5-735C-49D3-ACF5-236C16E7500E Resolution No. 9748 Resolution of the Council of the City Of Palo Alto Adopting The Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines as Voluntary Guidelines RECITALS A. In late 2016, Council authorized staff to proceed with a consultant contract to develop design guidelines for Eichler neighborhoods in Palo Alto. B. Two community outreach meetings and an on-line survey were conducted in the spring of 2017, and a third meeting "Eichler Memory Event" was held in the summer of 2017, prior to development of a Public Review Draft Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines (Guidelines). C. On October 12, 2017, staff presented an informational report to the Historic Resources Board, describing the processes for Guidelines adoption and for developing potential regulatory options. D. The Public Review Draft Guidelines, which were informed by and incorporated community comments, were published on November 9, 2017, as announced at a Historic Resources Board meeting on the same day, for a 60-day initial public comment period ending January 12, 2018. E. Following release of the Public Review Draft Guidelines, the Historic Resources Board conducted two hearings on December 14, 2017, and January 25, 2018, to receive public testimony and provide comments on the Public Review Draft Guidelines; on January 25th, the HRB continued the public hearing to February 22, 2018 to allow the HRB to review a final draft addressing the January public comments. F. At the community meeting on January 18, 2018, attendees provided input into the Guidelines and potential regulatory options. G. On February 22, 2018, the Historic Resources Board reviewed the Final Draft Guidelines and heard public testimony, provided comments to staff, and recommended City Council adoption of the Guidelines. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council for the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows: SECTION 1. Upon consideration of the HRB's recommendation at a duly noticed public hearing on April 2, 2018, the City Council makes the following findings: 1. The Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines ("Guidelines") are a voluntary set of guidelines intended as a tool for Eichler-built, single family home tracts in the community. The Guidelines are consistent and compatible with applicable policies of the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan, including: a. Policy L-1.1, Ensure that new or remodeled structures are compatible with the neighborhood and adjacent structures. DocuSign Envelope ID: 959EC5E5-735C-49D3-ACF5-236C16E7500E b. Policy L-5.2, Use the zoning ordinance, design review process, design guidelines and coordinated area plans to ensure high quality residential and commercial design and architectural compatibility. c. Policy L-5.4, In areas of the city having a historic or consistent design character, encourage the design of new development to maintain and support the existing character. d. Policy L-5.8, Support existing regulations that preserve exposure to natural light for single-family residences. e. Policy L-5.9, Discourage the use of fences that obscure the view of the front of houses from the street. f. Policy L-6.1, Encourage public and private upkeep and preservation of resources that have historic merit, including residences listed in the City's Historic Resource Inventory, the California Register of Historical Resources, or the National Register of Historic Places. g. Policy L-6.2, If a proposed project would substantially affect the exterior of a potential historic resource that has not been evaluated for inclusion into the City's Historic Resources Inventory, City staff shall consider whether it is eligible for inclusion in State or federal registers prior to the issuance of a demolition or alterations permit. Minor exterior improvements that do not affect the architectural integrity of potentially historic buildings shall be exempt from consideration. Examples of minor improvements may include repair or replacement of features in kind, or other changes that do not alter character-defining features of the building. h. Policy L-6.7, Streamline, to the maximum extent feasible, any future processes for design review of historic structures to eliminate unnecessary delay and uncertainty for the applicant and to encourage historic preservation. 2. The Guidelines are consistent and compatible with the applicable purposes of the R-1 Zone (PAMC 18.12 Section 18.12.010 items a-c, which are as follows: a. In R-1 zones, to create, preserve, and enhance areas suitable for detached dwellings with a strong presence of nature and with open area affording maximum privacy and opportunities for outdoor living and children's play, and to create and preserve variety among neighborhoods, to provide adequate open area, and to encourage quality design, where accessory dwelling units, junior accessory dwelling units and accessory structures or buildings are appropriate; and b. In R-1 sub-districts, to create and maintain single-family living areas of varying site size and development characteristics, to reflect and preserve the character of existing neighborhoods; and c. In Single-Story combining districts, to preserve and maintain single-family living areas of predominantly single-story character in areas having a prevailing single story character, thus limiting the number of structures rendered noncomplying by the {S) combining district. It is intended that neighborhoods currently subject to single story deed DocuSign Envelope ID: 959EC5E5-735C-49D3-ACF5-236C16E7500E restrictions be developed in a manner consistent with those deed restrictions. Furthermore, it is desirable that homes be similar in age, design and character, ensuring that residents of an area proposed for rezoning possess like desires for neighborhood preservation and face common home remodeling constraints. 3. Individual Eichler homes in Palo Alto are not considered historical resources pursuant to Government Code Section 21084.1 unless they contribute to the significance of a locally- designated historic district or a historic district that has been deemed eligible for or listed on the California Register of Historic Resources or the National Register of Historic Places. SECTION 2. The City Council hereby adopts the Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines attached as Exhibit A, which shall remain as voluntary guidelines in the absence of further action by the City Council. II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II DocuSign Envelope ID: 959EC5E5-735C-49D3-ACF5-236C16E7500E Exhibit A to Council Resolution 9748 Adopting the Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines as Voluntary Guidelines Hard copies of the Final Eichler Neighborhood Design Guidelines as Voluntary Guidelines are provided to the City Council and Palo Alto libraries. The online version of the Guidelines are found at this link: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/64118