HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-19 City Council (18)City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:APRIL 19, 1999 CMR:217:99
SUBJECT:VOLUNTARY DESIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENCES
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
The following provides an update and status on the City Council direction of March 23, 1998
to review "potential changes to Palo Alto’s regulations to address the design and quality of
its residential neighborhoods." Later, on December 7, 1998, the City Council elected to
delay discussion regarding design review of new residential construction in order to focus
upon the revision and adoption of the permanent Historic Ordinance.
Currently, discretionary review of single family residences is only required for the following:
(1) Request for concurrent construction of two or more adjacent single family residences,
(2) Request for a Home Improvement Exception or Variance, or
(3)Request for major alteration or demolition of one of the single family residential
properties subject to the provisions of the Interim Historic Ordinance adopted by City
Council on February 22, 1999.
The issue of residential demolition, replacement and in-fill construction which may not be
compatible with neighborhood character has become an increasing concern in Palo Alto and
other Bay Area communities. The Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission
have informally discussed this issue. In March 1998, a report was prepared by a citizen’s
group titled "The Future of Residential Structures in Palo Alto: Report to the City Council."
The report identified a number of problem statements r~lated to these issues.
CMR:217:99 Page 1 of 4
DISCUSSION .
Although the permanent Historic Ordinance has not yet been adopted, staff has begun to
proactively address the issue of single family residential design, in order to promote
compatibility with existing neighborhood character. In the near term, staff has taken the first
steps by establishing a Voluntary Design Assistance program for new single family
residential construction not otherwise subject to design review. This program was developed
based on informal discussions with neighborhood representatives, builders, and architects.
Staff will also be reviewing specific zoning code regulations which may be counter-
productive to achieving neighborhood compatibility. On a longer term basis, staff is
considering the-goals and components of a Residential Neighborhoods Study. This longer
term program would focus on other methods and opportunities to address the issue of
neighborhood character.
Voluntary_ Design Assistance .(VDA) Program
In 1989, design guidelines were developed and published in a booklet entitled "Single Family
Residential Design Guidelines for Palo Alto." This booklet was distributed with application
packets prior to the adoption of the Interim Historic Ordinance in 1996, after which time the
Compatibility Review Standards were distributed instead. Since the termination of the
Interim Historic Ordinance and the Compatibility Review program, the Development Center
staff has resumed the distribution of these guidelines.
These guidelines are not regulations. As noted in the introduction, "[these] guidelines are
intended to preserve and enhance the desirable qualities of each individual
neighborhood... [This] booklet suggests how to retain the very qualities which make Palo Alto
neighborhoods appealing while making necessary changes in individual buildings. If the
Guidelines are followed, change can occur positively, and each home project will contribute
to the strengths of the neighborhood."
While the design guidelines provide an excellent basic framework, staff is augmenting the
guidelines with site-specific voluntary design assistance (the VDA program) from an outside
firm, Origins Design Network. The firm is under contract with the City to provide design
review subject to the new Interim Historic Ordinance. The scope of the contract has been
expanded to include design assistance for all applicants preparing to submit an application
for a building permit for a single family residence that is not subject to design review. It
should be emphasized the intent is to provide voluntary site and architectural design
assistance to ensure the residence fits an existing neighborhood, and is not intended to
prescribe a specific architectural style.
The program is simple, informal, and flexible. Application.consists of a brief form
requesting an appointment with the Origins Design Network team, who are available each
week to meet on site and/or at the Development Center to discuss the neighborhood character
and review conceptual plans. Clearly, early contact is the most advantageous. For this
CMR:217:99 Page 2 of 4
reason, staffwill develop a marketing program with a pamphlet describing the program. The
pamphlet will be distributed at the Development Center, mailed to neighborhood
organizations and to the design and development community.
Staff has met with several architects and builders involved in development of new single
family residences in Palo Alto. Their concerns include the possible delay associated with the
additional design review. It is clear that incentives will be an important tool for a successful
program. Therefore, staff is proposing that any project taking advantage of this program will
receive first priority for residential building permit review, since the City Planning staff will
have already completed extensive preliminary _w.ork, including zoning compliance review.
Other incentives may be identified and incorporated as deemed appropriate. It should be
emphasized that thi~ program may be refmed and modified as staff and the community gain
experience. A monitoring program and tracking of projects taking advantage of this
voluntary assistance will be done. An additional benefit of the program will be this
documented "case book" and a tangible review of the existing single family design
guidelines. This program is voluntary and builders may elect not to participate. However,
based on conversations with many local builders, they have indicated a willingness to use
this service.
Focused Zoning Code Revisions
Based on staff’s knowledge and input from the community, staff is reviewing a list of
changes to the Zoning Code which may prevent, or are otherwise inconsistent with the desire
to support neighborhood compatibility. It should be emphasized that this program, to be
completed in approximately four months, is not a part of the comprehensive Zoning Code
update defined in the Planning Division’s Work Program. The Zoning Code update has a
much longer time horizon.
Residential Neighborhoods Study
On a longer term basis, staff is exploring the concept of a series of Residential Neighborhood
Studies. Staff will bring to the City Council a range of alternatives for City Council review
and recommendation related to Residential Neighborhood Studies. These purpose of a
Residential Neighborhood Study would be to review neighborhood issues including, if
desired by the neighborhood, compatibility issues. Traditional neighborhood plans could also
address land use/zoning, transportation, circulation, pedestrian access, and infrastructure.
Other issues which could be addressed include safety, parks, recreation and cultural
resources, and historic preservation.
PREPARED BY: Amy French, Planner
Joan Taylor, Associate Planner
CMR:217:99 Page 3 of 4
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:G. EDWARD~ ~
Director of Planning and Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
CMR:217:99 Page 4 of 4