REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 14 in the Amount of $36,955 to Enable Study of Changes to Chapter 3 of the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council adopted the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments on June 27, 2023. The motion included the following additional action:
• Direct staff to examine a point system for Chapter 3 aimed at supporting traditional architectural forms and the treatment for stories above 8 floors, include a 10% reduction in every 4 stories versus every 1 story, and return to Council with a report (see Attachment 1, City Council Minutes, June 27, 2023).
A budget modification is being requested to cover the additional cost for the consultant work to examine Chapter 3 as directed.
BACKGROUND
The project was partially funded by a California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) SB2 Grant in the amount of $310,000 through Project 835690 - Creation of Objective Citywide and Specific Area Plan/Citywide Landscape Design Guidelines. These funds have been expended and Council adopted the Objective Design Standards on June 27, 2023, (RTC 23-0667). The City Council also provided direction to examine Chapter 3 which requires additional funding. The Council motion to approve the Objective Design Guidelines included specific changes that staff has implemented in the final document and the following direction to staff:
Examine a point system for Chapter 3 aimed at supporting traditional architectural forms and the treatment for stories above 8 floors, include a 10% reduction in every 4 stories versus every 1 story, and return to Council with a report.
EXISTING POLICY
The following General Plan Goals, Policies, and Actions apply to this project:
General Plan
CHAPTER 2: Community Vision
GOAL II. ATTRACTIVE COMMUNITY: To maintain and enhance the appearance of Sunnyvale, and to distinguish it from surrounding communities, through the promotion of high-quality architecture, the preservation of historic districts and structures, the maintenance of a healthy urban forest, and the provision of abundant and attractive open space.
CHAPTER 4: Community Character
GOAL CC-1 DISTINGUISHED CITY IMAGE - Promote Sunnyvale’s image by maintaining, enhancing and creating physical features, including functional and decorative art, which distinguish Sunnyvale from surrounding communities and by preserving historic buildings, special districts and residential neighborhoods which make the City unique.
Policy CC-1.4 Support measures which enhance the identity of special districts and residential neighborhoods to create more variety in the physical environment.
GOAL CC-3 WELL-DESIGNED SITES AND BUILDINGS. Ensure that buildings and related site improvements for private development are well designed and compatible with surrounding properties and districts.
Policy CC -3.1 Place a priority on quality architecture and site design which will enhance the image of Sunnyvale and create a vita l and attractive environment for businesses, residents and visitors, and be reasonably balanced with the need for economic development to assure Sunnyvale’s economic prosperity.
• CC-3.1a Continue to improve the design review process by using design professionals on staff and developing design guidelines to direct developers and assist the City in architectural and site review.
City Charter
Pursuant to Sunnyvale Charter Section 1305, at any meeting after the adoption of the budget, the City Council may amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by affirmative votes of at least four members so as to authorize the transfer of unused balances appropriated for one purpose to another, or to appropriate available revenue not included in the budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
DISCUSSION
As noted above, the City Council adopted the Objective Design Standards in June 2023. It was staff’s intent to come back to the Planning Commission with examples of projects that have been subject to the Objective Design Standards and that have used the required Checklist to see how the well the new Standards have been working and to help inform this phase to revise the Objective Design Guidelines.
Due to the requirements of the Housing Accountability Act, many projects that submitted SB330 Preliminary Applications prior to June 2023 were not subject to the new Objective Design Standards; also, since June 2023, there have only been a few new residential (or mixed-use) development applications filed. An analysis of the effectiveness of the guidelines is not yet possible. Three vacant planner positions have contributed to the delay in getting started, however, these positions are now in the process of being filled. Staff would come back to the Planning Commission and City Council in Fall 2024 with information regarding effectiveness of the Objective Design Standards Checklist. At which time, staff would provide a more detailed timeline. Staff expects the project would take about nine months to complete (inclusive of outreach, study sessions and public hearings).
Staff requested a scope of work from Placeworks (the consultant for the Objective Design Standards) and the cost for the additional work is estimated at $36,955. The scope would include the following analysis:
• New building stepback standards.
• Improved organization of standards within and between Table 3A, Street Stepback Standards and Table 3B, Division of Building Length Standards, and related text standards.
• Addition of a façade- or materials-based option for fulfilling division of building length standards.
• Revised and/or new Chapter 3 graphics.
• Addition of a Chapter 3 “scorecard” standard.
The scope would also include Study Sessions and Public Hearings for the Planning Commission and City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget Modification No. 14 for $36,955 from the Development Enterprise Fund has been proposed to be appropriated to a new project for other professional and technical services to perform the additional work associated with examining Chapter 3 of the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments.
Budget Modification No. 14
FY 2024/25
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Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
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Development Enterprise Fund |
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Funding Source Category |
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Development Enterprise Fund |
$ |
($36,955) |
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Funding Use Category |
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New Project |
$ 0 |
$36,955 |
$36,955 |
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Development Enterprise Fund Reserve |
$63,766,053 |
($36,955) |
$63,729,098 |
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
As part of the consideration of revisions to the Object Design Standards, staff will conduct a robust community outreach.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve Budget Modification No. 14 for $36,955 to examine Chapter 3 of the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments with work beginning after the Planning Division staffing levels can accommodate the work.
2. Approve Budget Modification No. 14 for $36,955 to examine Chapter 3 of the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments and come back by Summer 2025 to allow time to have some projects under review.
3. Do not approve the Budget Modification No. 14 for $36,955 and remove the direction to study modifications to Chapter 3 of the Objective Design Standards.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 2: Approve Budget Modification No. 14 for $36,955 to examine Chapter 3 of the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments and come back by Summer 2025 to allow time to have some projects under review.
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
Reevaluating Chapter 3 of the Citywide Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments could be valuable after we have had several projects that have been subject to the Objective Design Standards. Staff would come back to the Planning Commission and City Council in Fall 2024 with information regarding applicability of the Objective Design Standards Checklist. At which time, staff would provide a recommendation to move forward and timeline.
Staff
Prepared by: Shaunn Mendrin, Planning Officer
Reviewed by: Trudi Ryan, Director of Community Development
Reviewed by: Felicia Silva, Budget Manager
Reviewed by: Dennis Jaw, Assistant Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Tim Kirby, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Excerpt of Final Minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 27, 2023
2. Placeworks Scope, February 9, 2024