§ 8109-1

The following design criteria shall apply to developments in the RPD Zone:

a.

In order to develop an RPD project, there shall be single ownership or unified control of the site, or written consent or agreement of all owners of the subject property for inclusion therein.

b.

The landscaping standards of Section 8106-8.2 and the parking requirements of Article 8 shall apply in the RPD Zone.

c.

Buildings and circulation systems shall be designed so as to be integrated with the natural topography where feasible, and to encourage the preservation of trees and other natural features.

d.

Mechanical heating and cooling equipment shall be screened from public view.

e.

Minimum project density must be equal to at least sixty (60) percent of that permitted by the zoning designation on the project site.

(Add Ord. 3759—1/14/86)

(Ord. No. 4407, § 6, 10-20-2009; Ord. No. 4577 § 5, 3-9-2021)

The following regulations, in addition to the standards and exceptions set forth in Article 6, shall apply to the R- P-D zone:

a.

Minimum setback from any public street: ten feet.

b.

Minimum setback from a rear lot line: ten feet.

c.

Minimum distance between structures that are separated by a side lot line and do not share a common wall: six feet.

d.

Sum of side yards on any lot: minimum six feet.

e.

Entrances to garages and carports shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from any public street from which they take direct access in order to prevent vehicle overhang onto sidewalks.

(Am. Ord. 3730—5/7/85)

f.

Detached accessory garages and carports may be constructed along side and rear property lines on commonly-owned land, provided that required setbacks from public streets are maintained.

g.

Structural additions not shown on the originally approved site plan may extend up to 15 feet into common areas, provided that the other setback regulations of this Section are adhered to.

h.

In the case of R-P-D subdivisions involving townhouse developments, the setbacks shall be measured from the exterior property lines surrounding the project.

8109-1.2.3 - Circulation.

Circulation shall be designed as follows, where feasible:

a.

To minimize street and utility networks;

b.

To provide a pedestrian walking and bicycle path system throughout the common areas, which system(s) should interconnect with circulation systems surrounding the development;

c.

To discourage through-traffic in neighborhoods by keeping intersections to a minimum and by the creation of discontinuities such as curvilinear streets, cul-de-sacs and the like; and

d.

To facilitate solar access by orienting neighborhood streets along an east/west axis, except where this is precluded by the natural topography and drainage patterns.

Open space shall be provided for the benefit and recreational use of the residents of each development as follows:

a.

In single-family projects where each dwelling has its own lot, at least 20 percent of the net area of the site shall be private or common open space, or a combination thereof. All open yard areas around dwellings, except for side yards, shall be counted toward the 20 percent requirement.

b.

In all other residential projects, at least 20 percent of the net area shall be preserved as common open space.

c.

Common open space shall be suitably improved for its intended purpose and generally accessible to all the residential areas of the development.

d.

Among the land uses considered as common open space for the purposes of this Section are parks, recreational facilities, greenbelts at least ten feet wide, bikeways and pedestrian paths.

e.

At least 50 percent of the area designated as common open space shall be comprised of land with slopes of ten percent or less.

f.

Seventy-five percent of the area of golf courses, lakes and reservoirs may be used in computing common open space.

g.

The following areas may not be used to fulfill the open space requirement:

(1)

Streets and street rights-of-way;

(2)

Paved parking areas and driveways;

(3)

Improved drainage facilities with restricted recreational use.

h.

Appropriate arrangements shall be made, such as the establishment of an association or nonprofit corporation of all property owners within the project area, to insure maintenance of all common open space.

i.

The minimum open space standards above may be modified by the decision-making authority if alternative amenities of comparable value are provided.

The Planning Commission may allow, within an area covered by a Planned Development Permit, minor specified retail commercial uses for the convenience of project residents when the Commission finds that:

a.

The commercial uses are designed for the sole use of residents within the permit area; and

b.

The commercial uses are incidental to and compatible with the nature and type of development proposed for the permit area, and shall be confined within the boundaries of the development.

A single-family dwelling requested on a lot which does not contain an existing principal dwelling, but not requested in conjunction with a subdivision request, shall require only a Zoning Clearance. In such cases, the height and setback standards of the R-1 zone shall be used. This exception shall apply only to lots which were in existence as of August 18, 1988.

(Add Ord. 4092—6/27/95)

8109-1.3 - Standards for the Residential High Density (RHD) zone. 8109-1.3.1 - Definition and purpose.

The RHD zone is established to comply with Government Code Section 65583.2 and to provide for the development of multi-family residential projects at densities considered by state law to be affordable to lowerincome households. The purpose of this Section is to establish development standards for the Residential High Density (RHD) zone.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011)

A ministerial RHD zoning clearance shall be issued for multi-family residential projects in the RHD zone upon the determination by the Planning Directors or his/her designee that: 1) a RHD zoning clearance application has been submitted and completed in accordance with Section 8109-1.3.8; and 2) the proposed project complies with the standards set forth in Sections 8109-1.3.3 through 8109-1.3.6 below.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011)

8109-1.3.3 - General density standards.

Multi-family residential projects in the RHD Zone must comply with the following general density standards:

a.

Minimum multi-family residential project density shall be no less than that specified by the zone suffix.

b.

Maximum multi-family residential project density shall not exceed one hundred ten (110) percent of the density specified by the zone suffix, unless the applicant is granted a density bonus in accordance with Article 16.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011; Ord. No. 4461, § 1, 3-18-2014; Ord. No. 4641, § 6, 12-17-2024)

The site plans or other materials submitted with the RHD Zoning Clearance Application shall establish compliance with the following development standards:

a.

Setback Regulations. Setbacks shall be in accordance with standards established in Section 8106-1.1.

b.

Open Space Requirements. Open space shall be provided for the benefit and recreational use of the residents of the multi-family residential project in accordance with the following standards:

(1)

Common Open Space:

(a)

At least twenty (20) percent of the permit area shall be preserved as common open space.

(b)

Land uses considered as common open space for the purposes of this Section include parks, recreational facilities, common gardens, greenbelts at least ten (10) feet wide, bikeways, and pedestrian paths not associated with individual dwelling access. Landscaped common open space areas shall be installed pursuant to Section 8106-8.2.

(c)

At least fifty (50) percent of the area designated as common open space shall be comprised of land with slopes of ten (10) percent or less.

(d)

The following areas may not be used to fulfill the common open space requirement:

i.

Streets and street rights-of-way;

ii.

Parking areas and driveways, and parking area landscaping;

iii.

Drainage or retention facilities that are not specifically designed for common recreational uses; or

iv.

Private Outdoor Open Space.

(e)

Property owner(s) are responsible for maintenance of all common open space in compliance with Section 8106-8.2.8.

(2)

Private Outdoor Open Space: In addition to Common Open Space, private open space shall be provided for each unit. It may be provided in the form of outdoor patios, decks and/or balconies and shall be directly and exclusively accessed by the unit it is intended to serve.

(a)

Ground Floor Level Units: Private outdoor open space must be a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet per unit and all dimensions must be a minimum of eight (8) feet.

(b)

Upper Level Units: Private outdoor open space for upper level units must be provided as balconies or loggias with a minimum five-foot depth dimension.

c.

Multi-family residential projects located on parcels adjacent to agricultural operations shall include a 300-foot setback between the agriculture and the new residential structures or a 150-foot setback if there is a vegetative barrier between the agriculture and the new residential structures.

d.

Multi-family residential projects located adjacent to railroad right-of-way shall provide six-foot high fencing or walls on-site to prevent project residents from accessing the railroad tracks.

e.

The applicant must demonstrate that the Water and Environmental Resources Division of the Watershed Protection District has determined: (1) there is sufficient water supply to serve the proposed multi-family development; and (2) if the proposed multi-family development is located within the service area of a water purveyor that provides water from an overdrafted groundwater basin or provides water from a groundwater basin that is in hydrologic connection with an overdrafted groundwater basin, that the proposed multi-family development will not adversely impact the overdrafted groundwater basin. If the groundwater basin that will serve the development is located within the boundaries of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency then the Water and Environmental Resources Division of the Watershed Protection District must first consult with the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency prior to making its determination.

Applicants may be required to submit a water demand study prepared by a state-licensed Civil Engineer or Professional Geologist that demonstrates the project will not cause a net increase in average annual groundwater extraction. If a water demand study is required, it must consider the current consumptive water demand of existing land uses on the project site and the estimated consumptive water demand of the proposed project. The effects of changes in percolation rates due to development, water recycling and conservation measures such as low water use appliances and efficient irrigation must be considered in the analysis.

f.

If the proposed multi-family residential project site is located in a dam inundation area as identified in the Hazards Appendix of the General Plan, then an emergency evacuation plan submitted by the applicant must be approved by the County Office of Emergency Services.

g.

Compliance with all other applicable County development and building standards.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011; Ord. No. 4577 § 5, 3-9-2021)

8109-1.3.5 - Construction and operational standards.

The construction and operation of the multi-family development must comply with the following standards:

a.

Multi-family residential projects shall comply with the requirements of the Ventura County Construction Noise Threshold Criteria and Control Plan.

b.

Development shall comply with the Ventura County "Paveout Policy", current County Road Standards and the Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee Ordinance.

c.

Multi-family residential projects shall be designed to ensure that outdoor noise levels in outdoor living and recreation areas do not exceed a CNEL of 60 dB or an Leq (1h) of 65dBA during any hour.

d.

In the event that paleontological, archeological, or cultural resources are found during grading or construction, such activities shall halt in the area of the find and the project developer shall notify the Planning Division. The project developer shall hire a qualified consultant approved by the Planning Division who shall prepare a work plan to address the disposition of the paleontological, archeological, or cultural resource encountered. The work plan must comply with the following minimum standards for resource disposition as determined by the Planning Director or designee:

(1)

The work plan shall include a detailed description of the nature, extent, condition and significance of the sensitive resource.

(2)

The work plan shall specify the available options for resource disposition such as avoidance, recovery and curation, photo-documentation, incorporation of the resource into project design, and other methods.

(3)

The work plan shall include a recommendation of a course of action that is most protective of the resource while allowing the project objectives to be fulfilled.

Construction can only proceed in conformity with the approved work plan.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011)

If a proposed multi-family residential project is located within an Area Plan boundary, then the project must be consistent with the design guidelines set forth in the applicable Area Plan. Project application materials must include plans and elevations that demonstrate compliance with the Area Plan design guidelines. If the proposed multifamily residential project is not located within an Area Plan boundary or it is located within an Area Plan that does not have design guidelines, then the project must be consistent with the following site design standards as demonstrated in the plans and elevations submitted with the application:

1.

Building Design:

(a)

Building Form:

i.

Multi-family structures shall clearly articulate individual units.

ii.

Buildings shall be designed to create variation in mass and structure height by incorporation of combinations, such as one, one-and-one half, two, and three story units.

(b)

Roof Forms:

i.

Multi-family buildings shall be designed to create varying roof forms and break up the massing of the building by employing multi-form roofs (e.g., gabled, hipped, and shed roof combinations).

ii.

Varying roof forms/changes in roof plane shall be used on all structure elevations visible from a public street or pedestrian right-of way, and adjacent properties.

iii.

Where applicable to the architectural style, any roof eaves shall extend a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches from the primary wall surface to enhance shadow lines and articulation of surfaces.

iv.

Rooflines shall be broken at intervals no greater than fifty (50) feet long by changes in height or step-backs.

v.

Rooflines will be designed to screen roof mounted mechanical equipment.

vi.

Ancillary structures shall incorporate similar or complementary roof pitch and materials to the main structure.

(c)

Garages and Carports:

i.

Vary garage door placement and layout to minimize the dominance of garage doors on the street.

ii.

Carport and garage roofs that are visible from the street shall incorporate roof slopes and materials to match adjacent structures. Flat roofs are allowed if not visible from public streets.

(d)

Entries:

i.

Individual unit entries that are oriented to the street shall be easily identifiable and distinguishable by articulation or other architectural elements.

ii.

Development projects shall cluster access points and avoid the use of long monotonous balconies and corridors.

(e)

Articulation:

i.

Similar and complementary massing, materials, and details shall be incorporated into every structure elevation. Articulation shall be used on the front and side façades that are visible from public streets.

ii.

In order to provide scale and character, architectural elements such as, recessed or projecting balconies, trellises, recessed windows, verandas, porches, etc shall be employed.

iii.

Architectural elements (e.g., overhangs, trellises, projections, awnings, insets, material, texture, etc.) shall be used to create shadow patterns that contribute to a structure's character and to achieve a pedestrian scale.

iv.

Exterior stairways shall be designed as an integral part of the overall architecture of the structure, complementing the structure's mass and form.

(f)

Materials and Colors:

i.

The building façade shall be enhanced by use of varying material and complimentary colors.

ii.

Heavier materials shall be used lower on the structure elevation to form the base of the structure.

iii.

Contrasting, but complementary colors shall be used for trim, windows, doors, and key architectural elements.

2.

Site Features:

(a)

Walls, Fences and Screening:

i.

Fences and walls shall be constructed of natural materials or materials that look natural (natural woods, common brick, stone, river rock, etc.), rather than exposed concrete block or chain link, for example.

ii.

Fences and walls shall be constructed as low as possible while still performing screening, noise attenuation, and security functions.

iii.

Non-transparent perimeter walls shall be architecturally treated on sides that are visible to the public and incorporate landscaping to prevent or discourage graffiti.

iv.

Fences and walls shall be of solid material and screened with landscaping.

(b)

Trash Enclosures:

i.

Enclosures shall be of sufficient size to accommodate equal size containers for both trash and recyclables.

ii.

Enclosures shall not be visible from primary entry drives.

iii.

Enclosures shall have a concrete apron for trash/recycling containers to be rolled onto for collection.

iv.

Enclosures shall be separated from adjacent parking stalls with landscape planters and paved surfaces behind the curb to ensure adequate space is available for individuals to access vehicles.

v.

Enclosures shall be designed with similar finishes, materials, and details as the primary structures within the project and screened with landscaping.

vi.

Enclosures shall provide a pedestrian access in addition to large access doors.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011)

All residential units constructed in the RHD zone shall be affordable to lower-income households as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unless otherwise exempted by State law.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011)

Requests for development of a multi-family residential project in the RHD zone shall not be reviewed or considered until a fully completed RHD Zoning Clearance Application form provided by the Planning Division is submitted. If additional information is needed to determine whether the standards of this Section are satisfied, the RHD Zoning Clearance Application will not be deemed complete until all of the requested information is submitted.

(Ord. No. 4436, § 7, 6-28-2011)

For specific standards that apply to the Residential Zone, see the Old Town Saticoy Development Code, Article 19. In addition, all of the General Standards under Section 8109-0 and Section 8109-1.1 also apply except for Section 8109-1.1.1 and Section 8109-1.1.3.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 6, 9-22-2015)

For specific standards that apply to the Residential Mixed Use Zone, see the Old Town Saticoy Development Code, Article 19. In addition, all of the General Standards under Section 8109-0 and Section 8109-1.1 also apply except for Section 8109-1.1.1 and Section 8109-1.1.3.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 6, 9-22-2015)