Article V — Property Development Standards—Area II

The property development standards in this article shall apply to all land and buildings in Area II. (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

Minimum lot area width and depth, none required. However, a subdivision request within this area shall be accompanied by an illustrative site plan showing the lots are of sufficient size and shape to adequately support the type of uses permitted in the area in accordance with the development standards of this article.

(Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

The minimum building setbacks are as follows:

• A. Along Arrow Highway and Cienega Boulevard, minimum of twenty-five feet for structures up to eighteen feet high, and forty feet for structures higher than eighteen feet;

• B. Interior streets and adjacent to residential districts, minimum of fifteen feet for structures up to eighteen feet high, and thirty feet for structures higher than eighteen feet;

• C. Interior lot lines, none required. However, each project shall be accompanied by an illustrative site plan demonstrating the project is designed sufficiently to accommodate the type of uses permitted in the area in accordance with the development standards of this article.

• (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 935 § 3, 1990; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

Maximum building coverage, none required; permitted maximum coverage shall be a secondary consideration subordinate to compliance with all other design regulations contained within this chapter.

(Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

Maximum building height is twenty-five feet with greater heights subject to review and approval during the conditional use permit process.

(Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

The following areas shall be fully landscaped and irrigated, maintained in good appearance and kept in a weed-and disease-free manner:

• A. Streets. A continuous area along Arrow Highway, minimum twenty-five feet; along all other streets, twenty feet in depth shall be landscaped and maintained adjacent to public rights-ofway. Parking areas should be screened as much as possible utilizing shrubs and other decorative treatments of sufficient size and height to meet this requirement. Outdoor display areas approved pursuant to Section 18.532.460 may encroach a maximum of ten feet into the required setback, provided an area equivalent to the amount of encroachment is provided elsewhere along the frontage.

• B. Overall Site. All building sites shall have a minimum landscaped coverage equivalent to ten percent of the total lot area. Such landscaping shall be evenly distributed over the site and consist of an effective combination of trees, ground cover and shrubbery. A reduction in coverage may be sought and approved during the design review process in recognition of quality design. For the purposes of this provision, quality considerations include the use of

courtyards, atriums, creative use of ground floor public space, creative use of water elements, and the incorporation of sculpture or art work in the landscape proposal. All areas not utilized for structures, parking or other permitted uses shall be landscaped.

• C. All interior side and rear setbacks shall be fully landscaped.

• D. Buffer Landscaping. Where the area abuts residential uses, other than along a street, a continuous ten-foot landscaped buffer strip shall be provided.

• (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 996 § 4, 1993; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

The provisions of Chapter 18.156 shall apply.

(Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

Lot and street lighting standards shall be as follows:

• A. All display and security lighting in the project area shall be decorative and designed for uniformity of lighting poles, fixtures and intensity;

• B. All outside lighting shall be so arranged and shielded as to prevent any glare or reflection, any nuisance, inconvenience or hazardous interference of any kind on adjoining rights-of-way or property.

• (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)

In addition to signage permitted by Chapter 18.152 , an entry monument sign may be permitted subject to the approval pursuant to Chapter 18.12 of this title. (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

• A. Due to the highly visible location of this site, a common architectural theme is encouraged to provide a high quality product. Structures shall be designed utilizing an Early California architecture design and shall be approved by the review authority pursuant to Chapter 18.12 of this title.

• B. Buildings shall be expected to employ treatments, such as the staggering of planes along exterior walls to create pockets of light and shadow, to break up the mass and provide relief from monotonous, uninterrupted expanses of wall. Other features, such as the use of curved corners and varying roof lines should also be considered as means to dramatically change the appearance and add vitality. Also, in order to improve the appearance of a project from adjacent rights-of-way, the rear elevation of those structures facing the right-of-way should receive special architectural enhancement as well.

• C. Sensitive alteration of colors and materials should be used to produce diversity and enhance architectural effects. While no category of exterior materials is considered "correct," the use of a particular material should, as a rule, exemplify the special characteristics of the product or be

demonstrative of its unique application. Paint, in general, should be considered an enhancement tool but not be considered a replacement for the use of textured surfaces.

• D. Architectural and design treatment illustrations are included in this chapter as examples to be used in designing within this specific plan area. Final review and approval shall be by the review authority pursuant to Chapter 18.12 of this title.

• E. Store front and side windows should not be covered and/or blacked out. Windows should be utilized to display merchandise and/or allow customers to see into the store.

• (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

• A. Internal circulation shall be designed so as to provide safe and efficient access to internal properties. A minimum forty-four foot curb-to-curb width is recommended for internal streets, if needed. In addition, a five-foot sidewalk adjacent to the curb and a five-foot fully landscaped parkway shall be provided adjacent to the sidewalk on both sides of the street. Decorative street lights which are similar in style to the display and security lighting of Area II developments shall be provided. The street lights shall be arranged and shielded as to prevent any glare or reflection, any nuisance, inconvenience or hazardous interference of any kind on adjoining rights-of-way or property.

• B. An intent of Specific Plan No. 20 is to provide a comprehensive development program which encompasses all of the properties that comprise the project area. To fulfill this objective, it will be necessary for a coordinated circulation plan to be developed which will provide safe and efficient access to interior properties from a major arterial with no access to local residential streets permitted. Therefore, prior to the approval of a conditional use permit for any project within Area II, the planning commission shall make a finding that the project takes into consideration and makes all necessary provisions to accommodate safe and efficient access to all other properties within the area as required to fulfill the intent of the specific plan.

• (Ord. 861 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1222 § 1, 2013)