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changed to require new homes to utilize one of the architectural styles found <br /> Downtown dating before 1942 such as Victorian, Craftsman, Mission Revival, etc. <br /> • Compatibility of Mass and Bulk of Single-Family Homes: The current policy states <br /> that the floor area, bulk, and massing of new buildings should be consistent with <br /> those of buildings in the immediate neighborhood. In order to reduce uncertainty in <br /> the policy and clearly inform property owners and applicants what mass and bulk <br /> would be acceptable Downtown, the policy would be changed. The proposed policy <br /> requires the mass and bulk of new single-family homes and modifications to existing <br /> single-family homes be compatible with single-family homes in the immediate <br /> neighborhood. Compatibility would be assumed if the proposed Floor Area Ratio <br /> (FAR) does not exceed the average FAR of the single-family homes in the <br /> neighborhood by more than 25 percent. The immediate neighborhood is defined as <br /> lots within 150 ft. of the subject lot. Exceptions could be granted if the house design <br /> is determined to offset issues created by exceeding the standard or if a <br /> representative sample of the neighborhood could not be obtained using the 150 ft. <br /> distance. The entire proposed section is shown below: <br /> Compatibility of new single-family homes or modifications to existing single-family <br /> homes with the immediate neighborhood (i.e., single-family homes on lots within 150 <br /> feet of the subject lot) relative to mass and bulk shall be assumed if the proposed <br /> FAR does not exceed the average FAR of the single-family homes in the immediate <br /> neighborhood by more than 25 percent. In computing the average FAR, only single- <br /> family detached homes in PUD and non-PUD zoning districts in the Downtown <br /> Specific Plan Area shall be used. The above compatibility standard does not apply <br /> to new single-family homes in PUD zoning districts or modifications to existing <br /> single-family homes in PUD zoning districts. <br /> Exceptions can be granted to this compatibility standard if the specific house design <br /> is determined to offset issues created by FAR above this standard or if a <br /> representative sample of the neighborhood cannot be obtained using the 150 ft. <br /> distance, as determined by the Director of Community Development. In no case <br /> shall exceptions be granted to exceed zoning restrictions on FAR. However, <br /> variances may be granted subject to required findings and established processes. <br /> • Garage Location: An existing design policy which encourages garages at the rear of <br /> lots is proposed to be changed. The proposed policy would require that a detached <br /> garage be utilized and placed at the rear of the site when the lot width exceeds 60 ft. <br /> Staff discusses a possible change to the Task Force's recommendation in the <br /> Discussion section below. <br /> • Incentives: The Task Force recommends that the Council eliminate infeasible <br /> incentive measures currently included in the Specific Plan such as establishing a <br /> National Register Historic District and encouraging participation in the Federal <br /> Historic Preservation Tax Certification program. <br /> Page 4 of 11 <br />