(a) Contextual Design Criteria
To create an attractive and safe public realm and sidewalk space for pedestrians and cyclists through the implementation of design, landscaping, and infrastructure. Publicly accessible spaces and sidewalks should:
(1) Design the transition between the public and private realm through the coordination of amenities and materials, such as accent paving, tree wells, lighting and street furniture (e.g., benches, bicycle racks, trash receptacles, news racks).
(2) Complement or match accent paving to existing designs in the Downtown and California Avenue business district.
(3) Provide sidewalk widths that accommodate landscaping, street trees, furniture, and pedestrian amenities; create a pleasant, desirable place to walk; provide shade; and enable comfortable pedestrian passage.
(4) Provide amenities, such as parking and repair equipment, for micromobility, such as bicycles and scooters.
(5) Utilize street parking for visitor or customer parking and to enhance traffic calming.
(b) Objective Design Standards
(1) Sidewalk Widths
(A) Public sidewalks abutting a development parcel in any commercial mixed-use district (CN, CS, CC, CC(2), CD-C, CD-S, CD-N, PTOD) shall have a minimum sidewalk width (curb to back of walk) of at least ten feet. This standard may be met with a combination of pedestrian clear path and landscape and furniture strip (see Figure 1), as long as the pedestrian clear path is no less than eight feet. If the existing public sidewalk does not meet the minimum standard, a publicly accessible extension of the sidewalk, with corresponding public access easement, shall be provided. Notwithstanding the total dimensions required herein, the following streets/locations shall have a minimum sidewalk width as noted:
(i) El Camino Real: 12 ft
(ii) San Antonio Road, from Middlefield Road to East Charleston Road: 12 ft
(B) Publicly accessible sidewalks or walkways, with landscape strips, connecting through a development parcel (e.g., on a through lot) shall have a minimum six-foot width.
(C) Pedestrian walkways that are designed to provide access to bicycles shall have a minimum width of eight feet, with two feet of clear space on either side.
Figure 1: Illustrative Sidewalk Section and Description of Zones
Table 1: Allowed features by sidewalk zone | ||||
Frontage | Sidewalk | Street | ||
Building Setback | Frontage Area | Pedestrian Clear Zone | Landscape/Furniture Zone | Vehicles/Bike Lanes |
Mixed-Use • Sidewalk Dining • Outdoor Displays • Public Art • Seating • Trees/Planting Residential • Stoops • Porches • Front Yards • Trees/Planting | • Sidewalk | • Street Trees/Planting • Street Lighting • Seating • Bike Parking • Public Art • Outdoor Dining • Bus Shelters • Utilities (e.g., hydrants) | • Street Parking • Bike Lanes • Drop-off Zones • Parklets • Bus Stops | |
(2) Street Trees
Sidewalks shall include at least one street tree, within six feet of the sidewalk, for every 30 feet of linear feet of sidewalk length. Rights of way under control of the County of Santa Clara or State of California, supersede this requirement if they have conflicting regulations.
(3) Accent Paving
On University and California Avenues, new construction projects shall install accent paving along the project frontage(s) (e.g., at intersections, sidewalks and/or other publicly-accessible areas), as indicated in the table below.
Table 2: Accent Paving
Street Segment | Paving Material |
University Avenue from Alma Street to Webster Street | Brick at corners Brick trim at mid-block |
California Avenue from El Camino Real to Park Boulevard | Decorative Glass throughout sidewalk |
(4) Mobility Infrastructure
(A) Where provided or required, micromobility infrastructure, such as locations to lock bicycles and scooters, shall be located within 30 feet of the primary building entry and/or a path leading to the primary building entry. This standard may be satisfied by existing infrastructure already located within 50 feet of the project site and located in the public right-of-way.
(B) Primary building entries shall provide at least one exterior seating area or bench within 30 feet of building entry and/or path leading to building entry. This standard may be satisfied by existing seating area or benches located in public right-of-way within 50 feet of the building entry. On arterials–except Downtown–seating areas or benches shall not be located between the sidewalk and curb. Arterial roadways are identified in Map T-5 of the Comprehensive Plan and do not include residential arterials.
(Ord. 5553 § 1 (part), 2022)