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DISCUSSION <br /> As noted, the draft objective design standards are split into two documents: those <br /> related to sites identified in the Housing Element and those related to smaller infill <br /> development in multifamily zoning districts, located principally downtown and limited <br /> areas outside of downtown. <br /> This scope of projects was selected as the focus of the ODS development effort 1) for <br /> the Housing Element sites because they are larger scale, are less predictable in their <br /> design outcomes, and tend to generate the most concern about compatibility with <br /> adjacent residences and other nearby uses, and 2) for the downtown and infill areas, to <br /> reflect the special character of downtown and the fact that infill sites have proximity to <br /> other residential — it is both necessary and appropriate to develop more detailed ODS <br /> for this area, based on the existing guidance provided in the form of the Downtown <br /> Design Guidelines and Downtown Specific Plan. <br /> Objective Design Standards for Housing Element Sites <br /> Attachment 1 to this agenda report is the draft objective design standards for Housing <br /> Element sites. The initial feedback from the Planning Commission's September 2021 <br /> review along with additional standards applicable to other project types has been <br /> incorporated into an updated draft such that the document identifies standards for <br /> various types of multifamily and single-family housing. The document now also includes <br /> revision of introductory text regarding the project review process, standards for bedroom <br /> mix and affordability levels, reference to the municipal code for minimum site <br /> development standards, and inclusion of objective standards applicable to single-family <br /> development, all of which are discussed in detail below. <br /> Project Review and Approval Procedures <br /> The Housing Accountability Act and recent changes to other sections of State law <br /> impact how the City is able to review housing projects. Additionally, the Planned Unit <br /> Development (PUD) process has been questioned by the State's Housing and <br /> Community Development Department (HCD) during its review of the City's Draft 6th <br /> Cycle Housing Element. To this end, the draft Housing Element includes a program for <br /> the City to reevaluate its PUD process (and update the municipal code accordingly) <br /> such that sites identified for housing in the Housing Element are reviewed strictly for <br /> conformance to applicable objective design standards. This process would still entail <br /> review by the Planning Commission (and remain subject to appeal to the City Council), <br /> but the review would be limited to objective standards; therefore, the draft standards as <br /> proposed includes text that outlines this process and expectation. <br /> Objective Design Standards and Affordability Mix <br /> Implementation programs in the Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element indicate that the City <br /> will, among other things, develop ODS (as presented in this report) and that it will <br /> update its Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO). The IZO currently does not specify the <br /> desired affordable housing mix in terms of income levels, and past practice has been to <br /> negotiate this with developers through an Affordable Housing Agreement. The goal of <br /> Page 3 of 8 <br />