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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCTA ODS Study Session 3-26-2026Multifamily Objective Design Standards (ODS) Joint Planning Commission and City Council Study Session March 26, 2026 Team Scott Hutter, Planning & Development Services Director Gabriel Arguelles, Assistant Planner Michael Baker International City of Grand Terrace Cameron Savois, Project Manager Hannah Kreitman, Project Manager –Housing Element Rezoning 2 3 Agenda ODS Definition & Application Review Scope Analysis Methodology & Findings Best Practices Recommendations Schedule & Next Steps Q & A 4 Objective Design Standards per State Law SB 167 / HAA Local government may not deny, reduce density, or make infeasible housing projects consistent with ODS. SB 35 Requires approval of qualified housing projects based on ODS. SB 330 Prohibits imposing or enforcing new design standards established on or after January 1, 2020 that are not objective. ODS DEFINITION: “Standards that involve no personal or subjective judgement by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official prior to submittal.” (California Government Code, Section 65913.4) 5 ●Comply with State housing law ●Streamlined review ●Provide certainty to: ○Residents ○Developers ○Staff ○Planning Commission ○City Council ●Foundation of ministerial approval process for qualified projects Purpose of Objective Design Standards 6 Development Standards vs Design Standards Development Standards (Zoning) •Regulates the use, building envelope, and location •Height •Setbacks •Density •Parking requirements Objective Design Standards •Will not replace existing development standards for height, setbacks, density, but focus on building and site design. 7 ODS Applicability Zone District R1-20 R1-10 R1-7.2 R2 R3-12 R3-20 R3-40 Density (units / acre) 1-2 1-4 1-5 1-9 1-12 13-20 20-40 Height 35 35 35 35 35 35 45 ●New multifamily projects (2 or more units) ●Residential Multifamily Zones 8 1.Revise the Objective Design Standards 2.Reduce potential constraints to multifamily housing 3.Promote infill development REAP 2.0 Grant Objectives 9 Analysis Methodology Process Organization Standards Terminology Figures References Strengths & Weaknesses Effectiveness Useability Preferences Staff Input Coordination on zoning changes that impact ODS Housing Element Rezoning Best practices Experience in the region Staff input Recommend ationsRecommendations 10 Organization & Process ●Located in Zoning Code Chapter 18.64 ●24 pages ●150 standards (unreasonable) ●9 Sections ○14 subsections ●100% compliance = eligible for ministerial approval by director ●Includes standards, procedures, lists, graphics, etc. What Did We Find? Content & Style ●Standards are mostly objective ○Some subjective ●Limited graphics ●Missing intent ●Subsections not clearly defined ●Overly prescriptive ●Paragraphs and sentences ○More difficult to comprehend ○Multiple parts makes it complex ●Some very onerous standards 11 ODS Sections & Organization Grand Terrace Recommended / Best Practices Purpose, intent and applicability Purpose and Applicability Other standards and requirements Site Planning Definitions Building Design Sustainable Design Landscaping and Screening Building Design Utilities and Service Areas Site Design Additional Standards Additional Mixed-Use Standards Permits and Approvals 12 ODS Sections & Organization Grand Terrace Recommended / Best Practices Purpose, intent and applicability Purpose and Applicability Other standards and requirements Site Planning Definitions Building Design Sustainable Design Landscaping and Screening Building Design Utilities and Service Areas Site Design Additional Standards Additional Mixed-Use Standards Permits and Approvals 13 ●Reasonable chance of success ○100% compliance vs. partial compliance ○Reasonable number of standards ○Keep projects ministerial/limit discretionary review ●Relatively easy to understand, comply, and implement (efficient process) ●Allow flexibility ○Exceptions, deviations, alternatives ●Use of graphics, images, and tables ●Use of lists, short sentences and phrases ●Multiple choice ODS Best Practices & Options 14 Recommendations: Process / Procedure 1.Include essential standards only and reorganize 2.Don’t require 100% compliance with all 150 standards 3.Change procedure to establish easier path to compliance a.Allow for exceptions b.Allow for deviations 4.Limit discretionary review only to deviations or non-compliance 15 Recommendations: Revise Standards 5. Reduce the number of standards by reorganizing/relocating Zoning Development Standards •Includes development standards which regulate use, building envelope and building location. Objective Design Standards •Regulate the look, form, and physical features of what gets built. Design Guidelines •Design criteria subject to interpretation by the City during the discretionary Site and Architectural review process.Guidelines and standards are distinguished by their level of enforceability. In general, guidelines are recommendations written as “should” statements. 16 Recommendations: Revise Standards 6.Revise to be more flexible and easier to implement: Create a Checklist Example ODS Checklist 17 Recommendations: Revise Standards 6.Revise to be more flexible and easier to implement: Shorten standards with lists and tables (condense paragraphs) Common open space shall incorporate at least two of the following residential amenities: a.Tot lot/play structure/play area b.Community garden c.Recreation area (i.e. pool, picnic area) d.Open lawn e.Rooftop terrace Existing Common Open Space Standard Example Open Space Standard Revision 18 Recommendations: Revise Standards Example Graphic/Diagram for Massing Standards 5.Revise to be more flexible and easier to implement: Include new diagrams/graphics 19 Recommendations : Revise Standards 5.To be more flexible and easier to implement: Include example images 20 Next Steps & Schedule DRAFT OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS REVISIONS APRIL & MAY PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT JUNE 2026 DRAFT OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS CHECKLIST JUNE 2026 FINAL DRAFT DESIGN STANDARDS & CHECKLIST AUGUST 2026 ADOPTION HEARINGS FALL 2026 THANK YOU! We will now open the floor to questions.