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P20-0989, Objective Design Standards Planning Commission 2 of 7 BACKGROUND Objective Design Standards Recent legislation passed by the State has placed particular emphasis on the objectivity of the development review process, citing the housing crisis and the need to produce additional housing units across the State in a streamlined manner by reducing uncertainty for applicants, and reducing processing timelines. Through these recent state laws, much of the discretion previously granted to local jurisdictions, including the ability to rely on subjective findings as a basis for project approval or denial has been curtailed. These recent changes have dictated that virtually all housing projects must be processed only subject to processes where approval or denial is be based on conformance to objective, uniformly verifiable standards. Housing Site Development Standards and Design Guidelines The 2007-2014 (4th Cycle) Housing Element was adopted in February 2012. It included a program requiring the preparation of development standards and design guidelines to facilitate the development of multifamily housing on nine sites rezoned as part of that Housing Element update1. Staff worked with architecture and design firm Van Meter Williams Pollack (VMWP) t o develop these guidelines and standards; after recommendation from Planning Commission, City Council adopted the Housing Site Development Standards and Design Guidelines in August 2012. The Planning Commission reviewed a draft document that converts the standards and guidelines in the 2012 document into objective standards at its September 8, 2021, meeting. This agenda report without attachments and excerpted approved meeting minutes are Exhibit C to this report. Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element and Other Multifamily Development Sites The Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element contemplates housing on up to 24 sites in various locations around Pleasanton.2 The type, density, and affordability distribution of the housing identified in the Draft Housing Element varies across the housing sites to align with the requirements of State law, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), and policy direction from the City Council. The density ranges of the sites in the Draft Housing Element would result in high-density residential projects (greater than 30 du/ac), medium-density residential development (nine to 29 du/ac), or low-density residential development (up to eight du/ac). Other than the Housing Element sites, the R-M, C-C, and M-U Districts also allow multifamily housing and mixed-use development. Therefore, ODS are also proposed to apply to these projects. DISCUSSION As noted, the draft objective design standards are split into two documents: those related to sites identified in the Housing Element and those related to smaller infill development in multifamily zoning districts, located principally downtown and limited areas outside of downtown. These types of projects were selected as the focus of the ODS development effort because they tend to be larger scale, are less predictable in their design outcomes, and tend to generate the most concern about compatibility with adjacent residences and oth er nearby uses. 1 Of the nine sites rezoned as part of the 2012 Housing Element, four are currently developed, one is entitled but not yet developed, and four are not developed. Notably, the CM Capital Properties site obtained approval for a reduced density of 12.5 units/acre during the 2015 (5th Cycle) Housing Element and is partially developed. 2 Also in December, the Planning Commission and City Council will be considering recommendations for the final sites list for inclusion in the Housing Element, likely encompassing fewer than 24 sites.