HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW POLICYAGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
74,
Item to be presented by:
Rich Herierson
NEW BUSINESS
DATE:: September 13, 1994
SUBJECT: Establishment and Implementation of an Architectural Review Policy to
Oversee the Aesthetic Design of Development Projects in the City.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
This item has been put on the agenda at the request of Councilperson Boyer to establish a
formal Architectural Review Policy for the review of new development proposals. Currently,
the City routinely exercises the control and review of site development through three
channels. These include:
The Development Review Committee (DRC), which reviews Planning
Division submittals. The DRC is made up of staff members from the LA
County Fire Department, Parks Planning, Economic Development,
Building and Safety, Subdivision Engineering, Traffic Engineering, and
Planning Divisions.
The Environmental review process which examines projects subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's own
Environmental Ordinance. One of the criteria reviewed is aesthetic
design, which assesses the project's compatibility with surrounding
structures. Through this process, staff can establish mitigation measures
which review the site's architectural compatibility.
The Planning Commission public hearing process., The Director of
Community Development can use Director's discretion and refer any
development proposal to the Planning Commission for their review.
The City Council regularly uses General Plan guidelines as policy. The attached General Plan
Goals and Policies, which are frequently used in determining architectural compatibility, are
included for your reference.
Though informal, staff feels that this process has worked fairly well in lieu of the more
formal process envisioned in the City's General Plan.
At this time, the establishment of a formal Architectural Review Committee could impact the
current permitting process by creating the need for additional fees and additional staff time,
by creating a more lengthy turnaround time (approximately one month), and by requiring a
redistribution of funds in an already constricted budget. Further review and analysis of the
resources necessary for a more formalized procedure would be provided should Council wish
to change the procedure.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council receive the report and give direction as to whether or not
they wish the present review procedures on architectural review be changed.
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Community Design Element
Treatment of Commercial Districts
GOAL 3: To promote design excellence in the development of business/commercial
centers.
Policies: 3.1 Improve the appearance and function of business and commercial
centers within the planning area through architectural form,
landscaping, parking and signage schemes.
3.2 Promote the development of a commercial business and retail City
center through appropriate architectural form which encourages a
unified theme and strong sense of place.
3.3 Encourage the establishment of mixed use and village commercial
centers throughout the planning area and provide opportunities for
plazas, urban open spaces, and the effective use of street furniture in
downtown areas.
3.4 Encourage design and uses of commercial districts and related housing
that add pedestrian orientation and that provide for safe and secure
daytime and nighttime activities, i.e., the Newhall historic area and the
City center.
3.5 Encourage the provision of on-site employee recreation and open
space.
3.6 Encourage the provision of buffering in areas near commercial centers
and residential neighborhoods to help separate and delineate business
and residential districts and to create visual diversity.
3.7 Discourage the development of small multi -tenant shopping centers
which occupy corners or sections of blocks in favor of larger planned
commercial and retail developments exhibiting consistent and uniform
quality design themes which contribute in a positive way to the area.
Historic Buildings and Features
GOAL 4: To continue to preserve and maintain special historical features and
landmarks as focal points in the planning area.
City of Santa Clarita
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Community Design Element
9.8 Promote sensitive landscape treatment of fuel modification zones
between development and open space areas.
9.9 Encourage consistent application of materials and vegetation within
communities and differentiate between communities.
9.10 Promote the establishment of landscape maintenance districts,
homeowner association, assessment district, property owners
assessment district or other methods to maintain open space and slope
areas around residential areas.
9.11 Encourage the development of a tree replacement program.
Architecture
GOAL 10: To achieve architectural themes and form which promote human scale and
provide a comfortable human interaction with buildings.
Policies: 10.1 Provide design flexibility for urban design and architectural concepts
in order to avoid architectural monotony and lack of design innovation.
10.2 Encourage the use of materials that complement adjacent buildings
and their surroundings.
10.3 Encourage design solutions that consider physical scale of the area and
adjacent buildings.
10.4 Examine potential opportunities for community theme elements within
individual residential areas, neighborhood centers, recreation centers,
landscaped street medians, and other community facilities.
Infrastructure
GOAL 11: To achieve a coordinated and efficient infrastructure system which is visually
unobtrusive while designed to meet the current and future needs of the
planning area.
City of Santa Clarita
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