§ 18.93

A.

This chapter establishes citywide design standards for qualifying multi-family residential developments and mixed-use developments. These design standards are intended to provide for high-quality site planning and building design that fit contextually into the neighborhoods and districts where new development is proposed, and to ensure that such new development is designed and constructed in a manner that respects the scale and design approaches of any adjacent lower-intensity residential development.

B.

This chapter is intended to address the need for housing of all income levels by providing for nondiscretionary review of qualifying multi-family and mixed-use development projects that conform with the design standards established in this chapter.

C.

Multi-family residential development appears in a variety of forms throughout the city. The standards in this chapter distinguish between small developments (four units or fewer) and large developments (more than four units) but are intended to achieve the common goal of providing flexibility in the design of multi-family residential and mixed-use development that will:

1.

Create residential and mixed-use developments consisting of high-quality architecture and landscaped spaces and functional public and common open spaces; and

2.

Produce new developments with design compatibility within existing neighborhoods and districts, both in site planning and architectural design.

D.

Non-discretionary approval of qualifying developments that meet the following standards shall be completed by:

Small projects (one to four units): Director review;

2.

Large projects (more than four units): Design review board.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.93.020 - Relationship to other standards and requirements.

A.

These standards shall apply to all qualifying new multi-family residential development and qualifying mixeduse development, except as provided herein, pursuant to any provision of state law which references Objective Design Standards including, but not limited to, Government Code Section 65589.5 (Housing Accountability Act) and Section 65913.4.

B.

The standards set forth in this chapter apply in addition to the development standards for the zoning district in which the development is located. In the event of conflict between these design standards and the standards of the applicable zoning district, the objective standard shall apply first from the applicable zoning district and second from the objective design standards.

C.

All projects shall comply with applicable open space and public realm design standards as required by the development.

D.

All projects shall comply with the following applicable plans and manuals:

1.

Whittier Bicycle Transportation Plan;

2.

Parkway Tree Manual;

3.

Uptown Whittier Streetscape Beautification Plan, for projects with the boundaries of said plan;

4.

Other plans or manuals that may be adopted from time to time;

5.

Requirements outlined for the art in public places program contained in Chapter 12.52.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

A.

Qualifying Multi-Family Building Types.

1.

Small Projects (two to four units). Multiple-unit dwellings in attached, semi-detached, or detached structures. These buildings are characterized by features such as private yard areas for individual residences and individual parking facilities, such as attached or separate garages or carports accessible by an internal private driveway and/or alley. Such building types can include duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes; townhomes, row housing, and tuck-under housing; bungalow courts, garden apartments, and courtyard housing; stacked flats; and live/work units.

2.

Large Projects (more than four units). A single building or collection of building containing multiple dwellings with a shared pedestrian entry feature, such as an entry lobby, or attached townhouse-type units that have individual entries to each unit.

B.

Qualifying Mixed-Use Developments. Any mixed-use project with a residential component in which the residential component constitutes one-half or more of the gross floor area of the development's building or buildings.

C.

Frontage Types and Associated Terms.

1.

Primary Frontage. The primary public right-of-way frontage determined as that frontage along the right-ofway with the highest roadway classification, as specified in the City of Whittier General Plan. Lots with a single frontage shall designate that frontage as primary.

2.

Secondary Frontage. The secondary or set of secondary public right(s)-of-way property frontages along a right-of-way other than the primary frontage.

3.

Measured Frontage Area. The area determined by distance from the farthest point of the lot line bounding the lot's frontage to a centerline measured by the midpoint of the lot's depth. A site may have a maximum

of two measured frontage areas: one primary and one secondary.

D.

Street Frontage Types.

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1.

Primary Street Frontage. The interface area between a building facade and the primary frontage street.

2.

Secondary Street Frontage. The interface area between a building facade and any secondary frontage street.

E.

Building Typologies.

1.

Townhome. A residential development type consisting of three or more housing units constructed either as freestanding units or attached units in a linear orientation or repeating rows.

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Bungalow Court. A residential development type consisting of a clustered set of freestanding or connected units developed generally in a U shape around a common pedestrian courtyard that opens to a street.

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3.

Rose Walk. A residential development type consisting of free-standing single-unit structures or duplexes along a pedestrian pathway or common open space area that connects two public streets.

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4.

Multiplex. A detached structure that consists of five to twelve dwelling units arranged side-by-side and/or stacked, typically with a shared entry from the street. This type has the appearance of a medium-to-large single-unit house.

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Apartment Building. A residential building that has individual apartment units using a shared entry and shared parking facilities.

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G.

Architecture and Building Elements.

1.

Architectural Features. Unless an individual standard provides another list, architectural features shall include:

a.

Bay windows;

b.

Box windows;

c.

Dormers;

d.

Balcony;

e.

Balconette (Juliet balcony or railing);

f.

Projection of at least eighteen inches;

g.

Inset of at least eighteen inches.

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2.

Corner Building. A building located at the intersection of two streets, intersection of a street and a pedestrian paseo, or intersection of a street and public open space.

3.

Ground-level (dwelling) unit. A unit where at least two hundred square feet or thirty percent of the unit square footage, whichever is less, is located on the ground level.

4.

Prevailing. Unless otherwise described for an individual standard, prevailing means the described characteristic of over fifty percent of the described physical condition on the specified geography.

5.

Upper-level (dwelling) unit. A unit where at least seventy percent of the unit square footage is located above the ground level.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.93.040 - Site design.

A.

Building Siting.

1.

Small Projects. A small project can consist of one building containing all units, attached units on individual lots, or up to four detached buildings as a small-lot subdivision.

a.

Where the development consists of a single building, the primary building entrance shall be oriented toward the primary frontage.

b.

The units shall incorporate architectural features that help individually distinguish them, such as wall breaks, projections, distinct color schemes, and individual roof treatments.

c.

For corner lots, units shall front onto street side and front property lines. Buildings constructed on corner lots shall incorporate a well-defined architectural focal element addressing the corner. The corner element shall complement existing corner elements on other buildings adjacent to the intersection, in size, scale and composition, and shall be proportionate in size to the street intersection it addresses

d.

Units shall be staggered to avoid driveway corridor effect.

e.

Side-facing units shall face the most distant side property line from the unit.

f.

For projects with two or more buildings, primary building entrances may be oriented toward either the primary or secondary frontage. Orientation of entrances toward a common interior courtyard or garden shall only be permitted if the buildings are sited as follows:

i.

On lots with sixty feet or more feet of primary street frontage, an opening at least ten feet wide and ten feet high shall provide a view to the common interior courtyard or garden from the street. All fencing across the opening shall be partially open or perforated; fence or wall openings shall constitute a minimum of eighty percent of the screening surface and be evenly distributed throughout the fencing or wall. Gates, fences, and landscaping across the opening or leading to the common courtyard or garden shall not exceed six feet in height.

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ii.

On lots with less than sixty feet of primary street frontage, at least one of the units shall have a primary entrance oriented toward the primary frontage.

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g.

Where units share a common driveway, and whether the units are connected or separated, the façade area of each unit facing the driveway shall be offset from each other by at least five feet to create a staggered effect.

2.

Large Projects. A large project can consist of one building containing all units, a series of related buildings with each containing multiple units, attached units on individual lots, or detached buildings as a small-lot subdivision.

a.

For projects with multiple buildings, a primary and secondary building(s) shall be provided, except for the following cases:

i.

Small-lot subdivisions, bungalow court, attached townhomes, and rose walk typologies.

ii.

Where each building has the same design and same approximate number of units (within ten), buildings are permitted to be within five percent in square footage of each other and allow for change in orientation of individual buildings.

iii.

Adaptive reuse of existing building(s).

b.

Primary building entrances shall be oriented toward the adjacent street frontages. Orientation of entrances toward a common interior courtyard or garden shall only be permitted if the buildings are sited as follows:

i.

On lots with sixty feet or more feet of primary street frontage, an opening at least ten feet wide and ten feet high shall provide a view to the common interior courtyard or garden from the street. All fencing across the opening shall be partially open or perforated; fence or wall openings shall constitute a minimum of eighty percent of the screening surface and be evenly distributed throughout the fencing or wall. Gates, fences, and landscaping across the opening or leading to the common courtyard or garden shall not exceed six feet in height.

ii.

On lots with less than sixty feet of primary street frontage, at least one of the units shall have a primary entrance oriented toward the primary frontage.

c.

The units shall incorporate architectural features that help distinguish them individually, such as wall breaks, projections, distinct color schemes, and individual roof treatments.

i.

For corner lots, units should front onto street side and front property lines.

ii.

Units shall be staggered to avoid driveway corridor effect.

iii.

Side-facing units shall face the most distant side property line from the unit.

3.

Building Separation.

a.

Buildings with predominantly commercial uses must be separated from residential development by a minimum of thirty feet.

b.

Residential buildings facing each other must be separated by a minimum of thirty feet.

c.

Residential buildings must be separated from adjacent residential buildings to the side and rear by a minimum of fifteen feet.

d.

Where a residential building fronts on a driveway or parking area, the minimum distance from the front of the condominium to the driveway or parking area shall be fifteen feet.

e.

Where a residential building fronts on a property line, the building shall be a minimum of ten feet from the line.

B.

Setbacks—Small and Large Projects. All structures shall comply with the minimum setback requirements for the zoning district in which the project is located.

C.

Frontage—Stand-alone Buildings. The following frontage standards apply for stand-alone residential and mixed-use buildings.

1.

Small Projects.

a.

Building(s) shall constitute a combined total of at least sixty percent of the horizontal frontage along the primary street frontage that are built to the front setback line.

b.

Dwellings shall be designed so that common areas (living room, family room, dining room, kitchen) face toward the primary frontage. Ground floor sleeping rooms shall be prohibited along the primary frontage.

2.

Large Projects.

a.

The primary street frontage shall include at least one of the following elements:

i.

A common interior courtyard or garden along the ground-floor primary frontage that is interior to the project but visible from the adjacent primary street frontage via a minimum ten-foot-wide opening. All fencing across the opening shall be partially open or perforated; fence or wall openings shall constitute a minimum of eighty percent of the screening surface and be evenly distributed throughout the fencing or wall. Gates, fences, and landscaping across the opening or leading to the common courtyard or garden shall not exceed six feet in height. Such an opening shall be provided for every two hundred feet of horizontal length of building frontage.

ii.

Public seating that provides a minimum of ten linear feet of sittable surface area or five individual seating units such as chairs for every two hundred feet of street frontage.

b.

Building(s) shall constitute a combined total of at least seventy percent of the horizontal frontage along the primary street frontage and built to the setback line, except for the opening required in (a) above or providing a point of entry and/or exit for vehicles.

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c.

For mixed-use projects, at least fifteen percent or fifty feet, whichever is greater, of linear distance along the primary street frontage shall be set back at least an additional fifteen feet from the required setback line to accommodate the following elements to be selected by the applicant/developer:

i.

Pedestrian plaza;

ii.

Outdoor café/restaurant seating;

iii.

Building lobby entrance;

iv.

Outdoor retail merchandise area, where permitted by the underlying zoning district.

3.

Exceptions. Buildings along the boulevard must be of a length and mass appropriate to a "Grand Boulevard". Individual units shall work together to create a more substantial building mass punctuated by

strong building elements or portions of greater height. The height of a major building mass shall be roughly two-thirds its width.

D.

Building/Unit Access.

1.

Small Projects.

a.

The provisions of Section 18.93.040(A)(1) (Building Siting — Small Projects) shall apply for ground-floor entrances.

b.

On corner lots, the entrance for at least one unit shall face the primary and secondary street frontages.

c.

Entrances to upper-level units shall be designed in one of the following methods:

i.

Individual entrances on the upper level accessed from an exterior stair; no doorway shall not directly front the primary street frontage

ii.

A single entry at the ground-level that provides access to a shared, internal stairway with individual unit entries from that stairway or walkway at each upper level.

iii.

Individual entries at the ground level that do not directly face the primary street frontage and provide private stairways to the unit.

2.

Large Projects.

a.

If a lobby is included in the building design, the lobby shall be placed and include direct access to and from the primary frontage.

b.

Each ground-floor unit shall include one entry along the street frontage or internal courtyard it faces.

c.

If a project is located along a public use path, trail, or other connection, a direct pedestrian connection between the subject project and the path shall be established. Connection shall be met via an entry gate or other access point and may incorporate measures for security and functionality.

E.

Parking and Driveways.

1.

All Project Types.

a.

Locations for vehicle parking shall be restricted to surface lots, porte-cocheres, carports, garages, or common parking structures.

b.

Surface parking lots shall not be located within thirty feet of the front lot line or a side lot line along a public street.

c.

Surface parking lot(s) shall be screened from view from abutting streets through the placement of buildings, the planting of dense vegetation/landscaping that is maintained at a minimum height of three feet, a threefoot high decorative block wall with a graffiti-resistant coating, and/or a fence that is at least seventy percent opaque.

d.

If the development has access to an alley, at least one vehicle entrance/exit shall be accessed from the alley.

e.

All driveways shall incorporate an enhanced paving strip consisting of unit pavers or textured/scored concrete at the entrance and at least one hundred-foot intervals thereafter, of at least ten feet in width.

2.

Small Projects.

a.

Clustered parking and service areas shall be accessed by a driveway with a maximum width of ten feet.

b.

Garages shall be prohibited from facing a primary street frontage unless set back at least ten feet behind the primary structure relative to the primary street frontage.

c.

On corner lots, garages shall not face the primary street frontage. Garages on corner lots without alleys may front onto the side street only if provided with one-car garage doors, and with driveways no more than ten feet wide that are separated by planting areas at least two feet wide.

d.

Any one garage structure shall be limited in size to contain a maximum of four cars.

e.

Any garage door should be recessed at least two feet into the wall of the unit in which it is located.

f.

The garage wall or door shall not constitute greater than forty percent of the front or side wall of any unit.

3.

Large Projects.

a.

The ground floor of podium parking facilities located along a primary street frontage shall be screened for at least eighty percent of the length with commercial/retail, residential, office, or community uses (such as a gym or meeting space for the residential tenants).

b.

Upper-floor podium parking facilities located along a primary street frontage shall be screened for the entire length of each level using the following methods, individually or together:

i.

Wrapped with residential uses or other programmed building area to a minimum depth of eighteen feet, measured from the outer wall of the façade;

ii.

Green landscape wall;

iii.

Ornamental metal grating that is at least seventy-five percent opaque;

iv.

Solar panel wall.

c.

Parking structures shall be designed to incorporate the following:

1.

For lots with primary street frontage of one hundred feet or less, only one point of ingress/egress shall be permitted along that frontage.

2.

For lots with primary street frontage of more than one hundred feet, the number of ingress/egress points shall be as established by Public Works' standards for distance between curb cuts.

3.

No portion of a parking structure, other than points of ingress/egress, shall front a primary street frontage.

4.

Parking structures shall not have any blank walls. Walls shall be designed to have one or more of the following:

i.

Green landscape wall.

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ii.

Ornamental metal grating that is at least seventy-five percent opaque.

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iii.

Noncommercial mural.

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iv.

At least two facing materials that match those of the associated primary building(s).

d.

Any garage door shall be recessed at least two feet into the wall of the unit in which it is located.

e.

The combined width of garage doors shall not constitute greater than forty percent of the front or side wall of any unit in which they are located.

f.

Driveways that access surface parking lots shall be delineated using at least one of the following treatments:

i.

A pergola that uses the same architectural style of the buildings.

ii.

Ground-mounted signage identifying the development, consistent with the requirements of this Title 18, Division II (Signs).

iii.

A landscaped driveway divider of a minimum width of four feet, enclosed within a curbed area.

F.

Mixed Use—Additional Standards. The following standards apply only to mixed-use buildings, in addition to all other standards in this Chapter and the underlying zoning district. In the event of conflict between the following mixed-use specific standards and other standards for mixed-use projects, the following standards shall apply.

1.

Mixed-Use Site Planning.

a.

Mixed-use projects shall be constructed in one of the following configurations:

i.

Vertical Mixed Use, with commercial and/or office uses located on the ground level of street frontages and allowed on the second level and above, with residential uses on floors above the commercial and/or office uses.

ii.

Horizontal Mixed Use, with commercial and/or office uses exclusive to one or more structures located largely, but not exclusively, along the primary and/or secondary frontage and residential uses located within separate buildings. Horizontal mixed-use buildings can have adjoining walls.

2.

Access.

a.

Within a vertical mixed-use structure, pedestrian access to residential uses shall have a separate entrance from entries to the commercial and/or office uses.

b.

There shall be at least one pedestrian access to residential uses located along a primary frontage.

3.

Parking.

a.

For new developments, designated parking for residences shall be separated from commercial/office parking through at least one of the approaches listed below. Approaches for separating parking areas include:

i.

Separate entrances;

ii.

Separate levels;

iii.

Gated access to residential parking areas.

b.

Surface parking lots for commercial and office uses shall be centrally located between groupings of commercial structures.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.93.050 - Building design.

A.

Massing and Scale.

1.

Small Projects.

a.

The wall mass of each building face along a primary or secondary street shall be divided into two or three vertical planes, with one deep break of at least three feet used to define each plane.

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b.

Building face(s) along primary and secondary frontages, mid-block pedestrian paseos, or other public spaces shall provide at least one of the following elements:

i.

Bay windows or projected windows of at least one foot of depth;

ii.

Porch with a minimum depth of four feet;

iii.

Stoop with a minimum depth of four feet.

2.

Large Projects.

a.

Where a large project is proposed adjacent to a single-family zoning district, the first thirty-five feet in building height may be built to the minimum setback line for the side and rear yards. For every ten feet in building height above thirty-five feet, the building shall be stepped back an additional five feet from the setback line to the maximum height permitted by the applicable zoning district.

a large project is proposed adjacent to a single-family zoning district, the first thirty-five feet in building height may be built to the minimum setback line for the side and rear yards. For every ten feet in building height above thirty-five feet, the building shall be stepped back an additional five feet from the setback line to the maximum height permitted by the applicable zoning district.

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b.

Buildings shall be vertically divided into three sections: the base, body, and top. The maximum size of the base and top sections is one level, meaning the ground floor for the base and uppermost story for the top. Base and top sections can be less than a full level and for the top, can consist of a roof edge treatment that defines the top section.

c.

The vertical division of sections shall be provided through at least one of the following approaches for each of the base, body, and top sections or at least three total approaches from any section:

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i.

Base.

Utilize a material different than that of building faces on upper floors

2)

Include at least eighty percent glazing along the ground floor along primary and secondary frontages

3)

Utilize columns, with bases and capitals, or arcade to support canopy roof or horizontal articulation element (e.g., frieze or architrave)

ii.

Body.

1)

Step back or step forward between three and ten feet (step forward to be supported by columns or arcade)

2)

Project as a cantilever up to five feet, from wall plane of building base

3)

Use the following architectural elements only in the middle section: balcony, bay and/or box windows, insets and projections, planter boxes

iii.

Top.

1)

Building cornice and parapet wall;

2)

Landscape elements from a green roof form a continuous line along the building face or drape over the building;

3)

A unique material and/or color for the top section, with the base and middle sections utilizing the same materials and colors (maybe different shades) between the two.

B.

Façade Articulation.

Small Projects. Building elevations abutting side yards shall be designed to provide at least one horizontal plane break of at least three feet and at least one vertical break.

2.

Large Projects.

a.

No building wall plane shall extend more than twenty-five feet along primary or secondary street frontage without some form of articulation.

b.

Buildings shall include at least two features, shapes, or forms that creates depth of at least two feet in building articulation from the following list:

i.

Architectural projections between vertical sections (base and body, body and top) or such as roof overhangs.

ii.

Box or bay windows.

iii.

Balconies.

iv.

Cantilevers.

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C.

Entries.

Small Projects.

a.

Primary entries shall include at least one of the following fenestration elements:

i.

Windows within the door;

ii.

Transom window;

iii.

Sidelight window;

iv.

Portico/awning.

b.

Ground-floor units shall incorporate at least one of the following elements at front entrances:

i.

Front porches;

ii.

Stoops;

iii.

Recessed entry of at least two feet;

iv.

Forecourt.

2.

Large Projects.

a.

A primary building entry shall be provided along the primary street frontage that is at least ten percent larger than other entry points and includes at least one architectural detail not incorporated into other

entries.

b.

The primary entry shall provide access to an interior common lobby or internal common courtyard.

D.

Corner Articulation.

1.

Small Projects. The two building faces that meet to create a corner at a street intersection shall incorporate at least two of the following features:

a.

Building height changes of at least five vertical feet;

b.

Decorative element at least ten feet taller than the roof line;

c.

Curved or angled corner;

d.

Paseo from corner to interior courtyard;

e.

Unique material at least fifteen feet along each intersection side for the entire height of the building ending at a logical architectural element

2.

Large Projects. The two building faces that meet to create a corner at a street intersection shall incorporate at least three of the following features:

a.

Building height changes of at least ten vertical feet;

b.

Building entrance facing the corner;

c.

Small plaza created by increased ground-level setbacks or corner cuts at intersection(s) of primary and secondary street(s);

d.

Decorative element at least ten feet taller than the roof line;

e.

Curved or angled corner;

f.

Paseo from corner to interior courtyard;

g.

Covered pedestrian plaza;

h.

Unique material at least twenty-five linear feet along each intersection side for the entire height of the building ending at a logical architectural element;

i.

Iconic noncommercial signage element of at least one hundred square feet.

E.

Mixed-Use Buildings with Ground-Floor Retail/Commercial Use.

1.

Ground-floor ceiling heights in mixed-use buildings shall be at least twelve feet, measured from the top of the floor to the ceiling of the next level.

2.

Ground-floor elevations for commercial uses shall be designed to be opaque not more than two feet above the sidewalk grade at the primary frontage.

3.

Entries to ground-floor commercial uses shall have direct at-grade access from the sidewalk.

4.

Entries to ground-floor commercial spaces shall be inset at least thirty-six inches from the building face along all frontages.

The street-level façade of a mixed-use building shall have a minimum transparency of seventy percent between a height of two feet and twelve feet, measured parallel above the sidewalk grade.

F.

Mixed-Use Buildings Ground-Floor Residential Use.

1.

Ground-floor residential uses within attached residential and mixed-use developments shall be designed to provide a grade change of at least two feet from the public sidewalk to the first-floor residence.

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2.

Live/work units on the ground floor, where permitted by the applicable zoning district, shall have a front entrance that is a minimum of a double door in width. Any entrance wider than six feet shall be bifold door or roll-up garage door; the maximum width of the front entrance shall be twelve feet.

G.

Roof Forms.

1.

Allowed Roof Forms. Projects shall incorporate at least two different roof forms from the following list: gable, box gable, Dutch gable, jerkinhead, gambrel, mansard, saltbox, hipped, shed, flat, butterfly, and gazebo.

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Small Project.

a.

Dormers which utilize an alternative roof form shall count toward the requirement of at least two different roof forms. If utilized, dormers shall be designed and constructed to cover a minimum of twenty square feet.

b.

If units are organized side by side, there shall be an individual roof form for adjacent units as viewed from the primary frontage. Individual roof articulation can include, but are not limited to:

i.

Individual instances of the same roof form (e.g., a repeated gable roof);

ii.

Different roof forms;

iii.

Different roof pitches of the same form.

c.

Flat roofs must include at least two of the following: profiled caps, cornice edges, or parapets at least two feet in height.

d.

At least one of the following roof features shall in be used along all frontages: projections, gables, usable dormers, and brows, except when following the roof form of a qualifying architectural style.

Large Project. The use of the same roof form for at least three levels is permitted to replace the requirement for at least two different roof forms.

a.

Dormers that utilize an alternative roof form shall count toward this requirement. If utilized, dormers shall be designed and constructed to cover a minimum of twenty square feet of enclosed interior area.

b.

Rooflines shall be vertically articulated by at least one of the following along all street frontages by the following architectural elements: parapets, varying cornices, reveals, or clerestory windows.

c.

Rooflines along each street frontage shall have a change in height or roof form.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.93.060 - Architectural Style and Materials.

A.

Architectural Style.

1.

Only one architectural style per building shall be used.

2.

New buildings do not need to match the architectural style of an existing building on the site.

3.

Small and large projects can use a qualifying architectural style from A Field Guide to American Houses: the definitive guide to identifying and understanding America's domestic architecture by Virginia Savage McAlester, the City of Whittier Uptown Specific Plan, or other guides the Planning Division may make available to guide building and architectural design. The building must follow the design standards for the selected architectural style incorporating the following elements at a minimum, as well as all the required building and architectural elements of the chosen style:

ecture by Virginia Savage McAlester, the City of Whittier Uptown Specific Plan, or other guides the Planning Division may make available to guide building and architectural design. The building must follow the design standards for the selected architectural style incorporating the following elements at a minimum, as well as all the required building and architectural elements of the chosen style:

a.

Massing/scale/proportions;

b.

Materials (all elements);

c.

Roof;

d.

Windows;

e.

Entrances;

f.

Architectural detailing/fenestration.

4.

Architectural styles for small and large projects shall be based on the building typology. Approved architectural styles for building typologies is based on Table18.93.060-A.

Table 18.93.060-A: Allowable Architectural Style by Building Type

B.

Exterior Elements and Finishes. Buildings shall carry the same theme on all elevations. A theme includes primary (non-accent) material(s) and color(s).

C.

Windows, Doors, and Entries.

1.

If using a qualifying architectural style, the building must include all windows, doors, and entries defining the architecture and all must follow guidelines of the chosen style.

2.

Windows shall not be flush with the exterior wall surface unless characteristic of a qualifying architectural style. Window glass shall be recessed from the exterior wall surface. Wainscoting and reveals can also be used to enhance the appearance of deep-set windows.

3.

Unless following guidelines of a qualifying architectural style, at least two different window designs and proportions shall be used to add architectural interest to the building. Window designs can help differentiate the various components of the building (e.g., ground floor lobbies, stair towers, corners, office suites, or residential units).

4.

Unless following guidelines of a qualifying architectural style, all windows must include window frames, sills, and/or recesses to add visual interest and reinforce the building design.

5.

Exterior facing utility rooms and exit corridors shall have decorative doors that are integrated into the design of the adjacent street wall.

6.

Loading dock doors shall provide full screening of the interior loading dock area and use such materials as translucent glass or decorative metal appropriate to the architectural style of the building.

D.

Materials and Colors.

High-quality, weather-resistant, and low-maintenance architectural materials and finishes shall be used throughout the exterior and public interior spaces of the buildings. Acceptable materials include these listed below:

a.

Brick;

b.

Concrete;

c.

Stone;

d.

Stucco;

e.

Tile;

f.

Glass;

g.

Rammed earth;

h.

Shingle sidings;

i.

Fiber cement board;

j.

Other materials based upon design guidelines for qualifying architectural styles.

The building base shall be clad in generally nonporous, hard materials such as stone, tile, metal, brick, and concrete.

In addition to the primary exterior material at the ground level, at least one secondary material shall be used to add texture, color, and visual interest at the pedestrian level, unless it conflicts with the guidelines of the selected qualifying architectural style.

4.

The following materials are prohibited on building exteriors:

a.

Exterior foam molding;

b.

Corrugated metal;

c.

Vinyl siding;

d.

Plywood;

e.

Exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS).

5.

Colors and materials shall be consistent along all building faces.

6.

The building base's materials shall extend to within at least one inch of finished sidewalk grade, and these materials shall wrap corners of exposed interior property line walls a minimum of five to ten feet ending at a logical architectural element.

7.

Affordable units and market rate units in the same development shall be constructed of the same exterior materials and details such that the units are not distinguishable one from another.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

A.

Passive Energy. South-facing windows shall provide shading technique(s) to limit all direct sunlight during summer months but allow direct light during winter and spring months, which could include vertical

louvers, overhangs, or similar techniques.

B.

Solar. Plumbing and other appurtenant equipment for roof-top solar power collection devices shall be installed in the attic, flush mounted, or ground mounted. Appurtenant equipment, plumbing, and related solar energy fixtures shall comply with the setback requirements of the zone in which they are located and shall be screened from public view.

C.

Water. Large projects shall incorporate rainwater harvesting for at least fifty percent of non-porous surfaces, including building rooftops and parking areas.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.93.080 - Open space and landscaping.

A.

Open Space.

All Projects.

a.

Private ground-level open space shall be enclosed by fencing, garden walls, garage walls, and/or the walls of the unit the open space is intended to serve.

b.

Above-ground balconies and decks shall be set back at least ten feet from any interior property line.

c.

Rooftop gardens and passive seating areas may be credited toward required open space for the zoning district in which the project is located.

d.

Shading shall be provided for at least twenty-five percent of any playground and public gathering spaces. Shading options include evergreen shade trees that are of a minimum twenty-four-inch box size at planting, shade structures, sails, and canopies.

e.

Common open space shall be required for all developments. Each lot shall maintain at least two hundred square feet of common open space per unit, located within reasonable proximity of most of the units. Private open space shall not be less than eight feet in any dimension and shall have a minimum area of not

less than one hundred square feet except for balconies, which shall have a minimum dimension of six feet by ten feet. No mechanical equipment shall be allowed to encroach into the required open space area.

f.

Required common and private open space shall not include required setback areas

2.

Small Projects.

a.

Each dwelling shall have a private or semi-private required yard or open space area of at least one hundred fifty square feet.

b.

Ground-level open space shall be located adjacent to required side and rear yards to maximize the useable area.

Large Projects.

a.

Dwelling units shall have a private open space of at least one hundred fifty square feet, with no side less than six feet in length.

b.

An interconnected path system shall be provided to connect units to common open space areas.

B.

Landscaping.

1.

Small Projects. At least one large tree of minimum twenty-four-inch box size at planting and with a height at and spread at maturity of least twenty-five feet shall be provided for each unit on the property.

2.

Large Projects. One tree shall be provided for at least every ten units, with the tree, at planting, being at least twenty-four-inch box size.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

A.

Accessory Structures. Accessory structures shall be the same architectural style as the primary building that is existing or part of a new development, or it can be a contemporary architecture style.

B.

Utilities and Mechanical Equipment.

1.

Applicability. For the purpose of this section, utilities and mechanical equipment includes, but is not limited to, air conditioners; heaters; utility meters; cable and similar telecommunications equipment; backflow preventions; irrigation control valves; electrical transformers; pull boxes; all ducting for air conditioning, heating, and blower systems; fire protection equipment; and all roof-mounted equipment. These provisions do not apply to wireless telecommunications facilities.

2.

Locations Prohibited. Ground-mounted utilities and mechanical equipment that directly serve the development shall not be located within any required open space area nor any required landscape area, with the exception of irrigation control valves.

3.

Screening Required. All ground-mounted equipment shall be screened from view from adjacent properties and primary and secondary frontages by an enclosure designed as part of the building or by appropriate landscaping. Screening materials shall be consistent with the exterior colors and materials of the building.

4.

Roof-Mounted Equipment. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be architecturally integrated and screened from view from primary and secondary roadway frontages using roof forms.

5.

Small Projects.

a.

Where an alley is present, services, including all utility access and above ground equipment and trash container areas shall be located on the alley.

b.

Where an alley is not present, utility access, above-ground equipment, and trash container areas shall be screened from view from the street with a hedge or fence.

C.

Solid Waste Enclosures—Generally.

1.

Solid waste enclosures shall include separate areas or receptacles for recycling, compost (green/organic), and landfill waste.

2.

Enclosures shall be designed with the finishes, materials, and details as the primary buildings within the project and shall be screened with landscaping to the greatest extent possible. All enclosures shall incorporate a roof feature designed to match the finishes and materials of the primary buildings.

3.

Enclosures shall not be visible from primary entry drives.

4.

There shall be signage to inform residents what materials are appropriate and prohibited for each receptacle/area.

5.

Exterior waste collection and disposal areas shall not be located in a required front yard, street side yard, parking space, landscaped area, or open space areas.

D.

Solid Waste Enclosures—Small Projects. If a common collection area is required, it shall meet the requirements in subparagraph E, below, for large projects.

E.

Solid Waste Enclosures—Large Projects.

1.

Solid waste, recyclable materials, and green waste collection and disposal areas shall be within a building or contained within an enclosure that on three sides consists of a minimum six-foot-high decorative block wall, with cap. The fourth side for access shall consist of a solid decorative metal gate. A roof shall be provided to prevent precipitation from entering the enclosure.

2.

The siting of exterior waste collection and disposal areas shall consider locational relationships to adjacent residential uses and shall minimize exposure of adjacent residential properties to associated noise and odors.

3.

Driveways or aisles shall provide unobstructed access for collection vehicles and personnel with at least the minimum clearance required by the collection methods and vehicles utilized by the designated

collector.

F.

Lighting. The following shall apply to all on-site exterior lighting fixtures.

1.

If a qualifying architectural style is used, light fixtures shall adhere to the chosen style.

2.

All exterior lighting fixtures shall be designed and shielded to avoid direct glare onto adjacent properties.

3.

Shielding shall match the style of the lighting fixtures.

4.

Required security lighting fixtures shall not be substituted for parking lot or walkway lighting fixtures.

5.

No portion of a lighting fixture shall be mounted above the building façade or above the roof of the building.

6.

All lighting shall include top covers to direct light down and contribute to dark night skies, unless it is landscape up lighting. Building facade uplighting, roof "wash" lighting, and landscape uplighting should be operated on timers that turn off illumination entirely after 12:00 a.m. nightly.

G.

Signs. The provisions of the applicable zoning district shall apply.

H.

Walls and Fences.

1.

Wall openings, material change, or design elements should be used to break up long expanses of uninterrupted fences and walls. Wall expanses should be broken at a minimum of every forty feet. Support piers, pilaster or posts can be emphasized at regular intervals.

2.

Walls must include a cap and base treatment. A distinctive cap of different width, material or texture should occur within the top eight feet.

Exposed block walls may be constructed using a combination of varied-height block courses and/or varied block face colors and textures (e.g., a combination of split-face and precision-face blocks).

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

A.

Purpose. This Section establishes design standards intended to integrate defensible space into site planning and building design and thereby deter crime and create safe living environments. These standards are based on the principles of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).

B.

Applicability. These CPTED standards shall apply to all projects. These standards are in addition to any standards related to the design of parking areas, outdoor lighting, fencing, and screening.

C.

Standards.

1.

Common building entrances for residential developments shall lock upon closing.

2.

No more than two points of entry may be provided to common areas within a building.

3.

Building entrances shall be visible from adjacent streets or buildings.

4.

Common mailbox areas shall be provided with night-time security lighting with a minimum one-foot-candle of light.

5.

Elevators and stairwells shall be in locations that are clearly visible from entrances and are well lit.

6.

Playgrounds and common open space areas shall be located to be visible from at least four residential units.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

A.

Applicability.

1.

Adaptive reuse standards apply to qualifying developments in addition to standards 18.93.040 through 18.93.100.

2.

Adaptive reuse includes the following categories of development:

a.

New residential structures or additions within a property that retains existing structures with all or a portion of commercial/retail uses.

b.

Partial adaptive reuse of existing structures into residential uses while retaining some commercial/retail uses.

c.

Complete adaptive reuse of existing structures into residential uses.

B.

Site Design.

1.

Siting.

a.

Existing structures with nonconforming setbacks may remain.

b.

Any additions greater than twenty continuous linear feet of exterior wall facing a public right-of-way shall comply with setback requirements for the applicable zoning district.

2.

Parking.

a.

Qualifying developments that include retention of existing commercial/retail uses and/or adaptive reuse of existing structures can utilize shared parking among residential and commercial/retail uses.

b.

All existing, uncovered surface parking lots shall be updated to provide at least one tree for every five parking spaces with the introduction of residential uses in new structures or adaptive reuse.

c.

If existing surface parking lots have access to an alley or secondary frontage and vehicle access is only provided via a curb cut on the primary frontage road, curb cuts shall be removed from the primary frontage and created along the alley or secondary frontage to leave a maximum of one curb cuts along the primary frontage.

C.

Building Design.

1.

If an existing opening (e.g., door or window) is closed off, the finish fill materials shall match the type and condition of the surrounding façade material.

2.

The addition of parapets, roof structures (e.g., solar panels), equipment or other enclosures, or canopies for rooftop open space is allowed.

D.

Architectural Style and Materials.

1.

If an existing building is classified as a known architecture style, that architecture style shall be preserved for the existing structure.

2.

Additions to an existing building shall be in the same architectural style or contemporary architecture style.

3.

New buildings shall incorporate at least one material (excluding glass) from existing buildings on site within the building design.

E.

Other Features. The following existing building signage shall be preserved unless deemed to be unsafe. Signs can be removed during construction or for restoration but must be reinstalled on the same building façade.

Signs, plaques, and similar features that indicate the original name and/or original date of completion for building.

2.

Building or tenant signs of at least twenty square feet fixed to the façade of the building.

3.

Truss structure for a building or tenant sign on the building roof.

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

Chapter 18.94 - MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES