Applicability. These objective design standards apply to all new construction projects, in all zones, that qualify for streamlined, ministerial application processing in accordance with state law. These include multi-family residential projects with two or more units, and mixed-use development projects that include up to two-thirds of residential use.
(A) Design standards. Eligible residential projects shall comply with all objective design standards, city policies, zoning regulations as established in the San Gabriel Municipal Code and General Plan.
(1) Shelter.
(a) A permanently covered entryway or porch must be provided for each unit.
(b) A minimum depth of three feet and width of four feet must be provided for the entryway/porch.
(c) All units located along public rights-of-way must have the primary entrance facing onto that right-of-way.
(d) A minimum of 25% of pedestrian paths shall be shaded by tree canopy at maturity.
(2) Site design/transition.
(a) All structures, entries, facilities, amenities, and parking areas must be internally connected with pedestrian walkways. Pedestrian walkways must connect to the public sidewalk along each street frontage. Pedestrian walkways must be separated from roads, driveways, and parking areas by a physical barrier, such as a grade-separation, of six inches or more or a raised planter area. Refer to Figure 153.134(2)(b).
(b) Paved (non-permeable) areas must not exceed 50% of the required front or street side setback areas.
(c) Allowable number of driveway access points.
1. Interior lot. Two driveways are permitted on lots where at least one street has a frontage more than 100 linear feet.
2. Corner lots. One vehicle access driveway where all street frontages are less than 100 linear feet and two driveways are permitted on lots where at least one street has a frontage more than 100 linear feet.
(d) A minimum of 50% of all retaining walls, freestanding walls, and fences visible from public streets shall be screened by landscape at maturity. Plans shall be labeled with heights of any vertical elements to be screened.
(e) Private/individual garage doors must not face a public street(s) but may be oriented toward an alley or a private street/driveway that is an internal part to the project. Refer to Figure 153.134(2)(f)
(f) A walkway with a minimum width of 36 inches must be provided to all individual units on the ground level.
(g) Pedestrian walkways must be of permeable/sustainable material.
(h) Landscape must be incorporated between the sidewalk and the base of the building for all portions that front a public street by using one of the following methods (refer to Figure 153.134(2)(i).
1. Provide pocket areas for landscaping;
2. Provide zig-zagged pathways to allow enough space (five feet minimum) for trees, and the like.
(i) Projects must provide usable common open spaces with a minimum dimension of ten feet in all directions.
(j) Plants must be arranged with the tallest shrubs located at base of buildings and structures, transitioning to lower shrubs adjacent to sidewalks and curbs. A minimum of two heights or tiers shall be provided (e.g., low planting at one-and-one-half to two-and-one-half feet tall at maturity adjacent to a sidewalk and taller planting at three to four feet tall at maturity adjacent to the wall). For landscape areas greater than ten feet wide, provide a minimum of three tier levels (e.g., groundcover or annuals, low planting two two-and-one-half feet and tall planting at a minimum of four feet adjacent to the wall). Additionally, upright accent shrubs in 15 gallon size shall be provided at an average rate of one per every 25 linear feet of building façade. Refer to Figure 153.134(2)(l).
(k) All pedestrian crosswalks shall use one of the following: zebra/ladder stripes, concrete with lithocrete patterned finish or another material/finish that will withstand high traffic volume.
(3) Balance/building massing.
(a) Buildings with first floor façades that are 50 feet or longer shall provide a break in the façade every 25 feet. Refer to Figure153.134(3)(a). This can be achieved through one or more of the following.
1. Building façade offset with a minimum two-foot depth for a minimum length of 20 feet.
2. Change in wall or material color.
3. Change in window form and/or façade composition through the use of awnings, canopies, and/or balconies.
(b) Projecting architectural features such as bowed or bay windows, columns, offset roof planes, and similar features should be used to create both vertical and horizontal articulation. Offsets and recesses are to measure a minimum of one foot.
(c) The massing of upper stories shall be modulated by stepping back elements (minimum two feet from the ground floor setback, and/or structural projections (one foot minimum)).
(d) Roof lines shall be vertically articulated at least every 50 feet along the street frontage, through the use of architectural elements such as parapets, varying cornices, reveals, clerestory windows, and varying roof height and/or form. Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(d).
(e) Corner buildings shall provide a rounded or angled façade at the corner with a different material application and window arrangement from the rest of the building façade. Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(e).
(f) Buildings must be designed and articulated with common details, articulation, materials, and elements on all sides of the building.
(g) Façade planes exceeding 40 feet in length shall express a vertical rhythm and pattern that reflects the size and scale of a residential unit and/or individual rooms and spaces through meeting the following standards (Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(g)).
1. A vertical recess or projection shall occur at a minimum of one per 40 feet of linear façade length.
2. Vertical recess or projection shall have a minimum depth of one foot.
3. Shall occur for a minimum of 60% of the residential façade height.
(h) A minimum of eight plant species and varieties shall be required for all projects with nine units or less and a minimum of 14 plant species and varieties shall be required for all projects with ten units or greater.
(i) Each street or perimeter/buffer yard shall include a minimum of two canopy tree species and two understory trees species. Clustering of onsite canopy and understory trees is encouraged to create naturalistic tree stands.
(j) Tree canopies shall not overhang structures or required fire access lanes at maturity. Trees shall be centered within planter areas, maximizing distance between trunks and adjacent hardscape and structures.
(4) Integrity.
(a) Root barriers/protecting sidewalks. Root barriers shall be provided for all trees within five feet of paving and within ten feet of city sidewalks. Root barriers shall be a minimum 24 inches deep and for a minimum length of 16 feet at each location, centered on the trunk and shall be placed adjacent and parallel to hardscape.
(b) Edge restraints. Provide edge restraints between landscape areas with different maintenance entities and between lawn and shrub areas.
(c) Plant layout and hydrozones. Plantings shall by grouped into hydrozones with similar water use and sun/shade requirements.
(5) Architectural detailing.
(a) All windows must provide trims, sills, and a minimum two-inch recess.
(b) Three exterior paint colors must be provided (base, trim, accent). Three colors can be found in either paint or materials (e.g., wood trim, wrought iron).
(c) Reflective coatings and exterior façade material which create glare would not be allowed.
(d) Materials applied to any elevation shall turn the corner of the building, ending at a logical termination point related to the roof line, windows or building massing, or a minimum of five feet. Refer to Figure 153.134(5)(f).
(e) The following list of building materials will be allowed.
1. Primary walls. High-quality primary materials such as wood, simulated wood, brick, stone, stucco, ceramics, metals, fiber-cement panels, Trespa, composite panel systems.
2. Secondary/accent. Masonry, tile, stone, brick, veneer, longboard, and/or finished metal.
(f) 1. The following list of building materials will be prohibited:
2. Plywood, plastic (and plastic laminate), and fiberglass.
(g) Affordable units and market rate units within the same development shall be constructed of the same materials and details such that the units are not distinguishable from one another.
(h) Fences and walls must be constructed of materials such as treated wood, vinyl, wrought iron, brick, and stone. Chain link is prohibited.
(B) Design standards. Defined as a project consistent of a mix of multi-family residential and nonresidential uses, where at least two-thirds of the square footage of the development is designated for residential use.
(1) Site design/transition.
(a) All structures, entries, facilities, amenities, and parking areas must be internally connected with pedestrian walkways. Pedestrian walkways must connect to the public sidewalk along each street frontage. Pedestrian walkways must be separated from roads, driveways, and parking areas by a physical barrier, such as a grade-separation, of six inches or more or a raised planter area. Refer to Figure 153.134(2)(b).
(b) Paved (non-permeable) areas must not exceed 50% of the required front or street side setback areas.
(c) Allowable number of driveway access points.
1. Interior lot. Two driveways are permitted on lots where at least one street has a frontage more than 100 linear feet.
2. Corner lots. One vehicle access driveway where all street frontages are less than 100 linear feet and two driveways are permitted on lots where at least one street has a frontage more than 100 linear feet.
(d) A minimum of 50% of all uncovered parking stall areas shall be shaded by tree canopies. Tree canopies shall be shown at maturity (approximately 15 years’ growth). Provide a shade study, demonstrating minimum shading requirement has been met.
(e) Private/individual garage doors must not face a public street(s) but may be oriented toward an alley or a private street/driveway that is an internal part to the project. Refer to Figure 153.134(2)(f).
(f) A walkway with a minimum width of 36 inches must be provided to all individual units on the ground level.
(g) Pedestrian walkways must be of permeable/sustainable material.
(h) Landscape must be incorporated between the sidewalk and the base of the building for visual softening and transition by using one of the following methods (refer to Figure 153.134(2)(i)).
1. Provide pocket areas for landscaping;
2. Provide zig-zagged pathways to allow enough space (five feet minimum) for trees, and the like.
(i) Projects must provide usable common open spaces with a minimum dimension of ten feet in all directions.
(j) Plants must be arranged with the tallest shrubs located at base of buildings and structures, transitioning to lower shrubs adjacent to sidewalks and curbs. A minimum of two heights or tiers shall be provided (e.g., low planting at one-and-one-half to two-and-one-half feet tall at maturity adjacent to a sidewalk and taller planting at three to four feet tall at maturity adjacent to the wall). For landscape areas greater than ten feet wide, provide a minimum of three tier levels (e.g., groundcover or annuals, low planting two two-and-one-half feet and tall planting at a minimum of four feet adjacent to the wall). Additionally, upright accent shrubs in 15 gallon size shall be provided at an average rate of one per every 25 linear feet of building façade. Refer to Figure 153.134(2)(l).
(k) All pedestrian crosswalks shall use one of the following: zebra/ladder stripes, concrete with lithocrete patterned finish or another material/finish that will withstand high traffic volume.
(l) Street-facing building façades must be designed with active frontages which include at least two of the following.
1. Common open space/plaza/sitting area.
2. Overhangs (including awnings and cantilevers).
3. Balconies.
4. Porches/patios.
5. Arcade.
6. Primary entry.
(2) Balance/building massing.
(a) Buildings with first floor façades that are 50 feet or longer shall provide a break in the façade every 25 feet. Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(a). This can be achieved through one or more of the following.
1. Building façade offset with a minimum two-foot depth for a minimum length of 20 feet.
2. Change in wall or material color.
3. Change in window form and/or façade composition through the use of awnings, canopies, and/or balconies.
(b) Projecting architectural features such as bowed or bay windows, columns, offset roof planes, and similar features should be used to create both vertical and horizontal articulation. Offsets and recesses are to measure a minimum of one foot.
(c) The massing of upper stories shall be modulated by stepping back elements (minimum two feet from the ground floor setback, and/or structural projections (one foot minimum)).
(d) Rooflines shall be vertically articulated at least every 50 feet along the street frontage, through the use of architectural elements such as parapets, varying cornices, reveals, clerestory windows, and varying roof height and/or form. Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(d).
(e) Corner buildings shall provide a rounded or angled façade at the corner with a different material application and window arrangement from the rest of the building façade. Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(e).
(f) A minimum of 50% of the ground floor façade shall consist of glass doors and windows.
(g) Buildings must be designed and articulated with common details, articulation, materials, and elements on all sides of the building.
(h) Façade planes exceeding 40 feet in length shall express a vertical rhythm and pattern that reflects the size and scale of a residential unit and/or individual rooms and spaces through meeting the following standards (Refer to Figure 153.134(3)(g)).
1. A vertical recess or projection shall occur at a minimum of one per 40 feet of linear façade length.
2. Vertical recess or projection shall have a minimum depth of one foot.
3. Shall occur for a minimum of 60% of the residential façade height.
(i) A minimum of eight plant species and varieties shall be required for all projects with nine units or less and a minimum of 14 plant species and varieties shall be required for all projects with ten units or greater.
(j) Each street or perimeter/buffer yard shall include two canopy tree species and two understory trees species. Clustering of onsite canopy and understory trees is encouraged to create naturalistic tree stands.
(k) Tree canopies shall not overhang structures or required fire access lanes at maturity. Trees shall be centered within planter areas, maximizing distance between trunks and adjacent hardscape and structures.
(3) Architectural detailing.
(a) All windows must provide trims, sills, and a minimum two-inch recess.
(b) Three exterior paint colors must be provided (base, trim, accent). Three colors can be found in either paint or materials (e.g., wood trim, wrought iron).
(c) Reflective coatings and exterior façade material would not be allowed.
(d) Materials applied to any elevation shall turn the corner of the building, ending at a logical termination point related to the roof line, windows or building massing, or a minimum of five feet. Refer to Figure 153.134(5)(f).
(e) The following list of building materials will be allowed.
1. Primary walls. High-quality primary materials such as wood, simulated wood, stucco, brick, stone, ceramics, metals, fiber-cement panels, Trespa, or composite panel systems.
2. Secondary/accent. Masonry, tile, stone, brick, veneer, longboard, and/or finished metal.
(f) 1. The following list of building materials will be prohibited.
2. Plywood, plastic (and plastic laminate), and fiberglass.
(g) Affordable units and market rate units within the same development shall be constructed of the same materials and details such that the units are not distinguishable from one another.
(h) Fences and walls must be constructed of materials such as treated wood, vinyl, wrought iron, brick, and stone. Chain link is prohibited.
(Ord. 693, passed 12-5-23)