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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 PC REPORT PLACEWORKS WORKSHOP Docusign Envelope ID:33A92BFD-9D5A-44D4-892F-932DB6DOD554 AGENDA REPORT ITEM #4 MEETING DATE: JULY 23, 2024 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: WORKSHOP ON OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS SUMMARY: Staff, with the assistance of PlaceWorks, will present an overview of the City's efforts in developing Objective Design Standards to address Program 1.2a of the Housing Implementation Program. This presentation will focus on introducing the overall project and its objectives and gather preliminary recommendations to be incorporated into the draft objective design standards. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Planning Commission receive and file the report. DISCUSSION: Background In October 2021, the City of Tustin's Housing Element 2021-2029 was submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for their review and certification, which was ultimately obtained in October 2022. The Housing Element identifies housing needs, sets goals, and establishes policies to enhance the community while expanding housing opportunities within the City. The Housing Implementation Program, as described in Section IV of the City's Certified Housing Element, provides for specific actions the City will undertake to achieve the goals and policies of the Housing Element and describes the specific programs that will be implemented during the planning period to ensure the City can meet housing needs. The City of Tustin is currently working to implement Program 1.2a (Objective Development Standards) of the Housing Implementation Program. In this program, the City has committed to amend the Zoning Code to remove subjective design guidance in TCC 9272 (Design Review), and to adopt Objective Design Standards, to ensure that the City can provide clear guidance on design in an effort to streamline the development of high-quality residential development. The City has committed to amend TCC 9272 (Design Review) to remove Docusign Envelope ID:33A92BFD-9D5A-44D4-892F-932DB6DOD554 Planning Commission July 23, 2024 ODS Workshop Page 2 subjective design guidance and to develop and adopt new Citywide Objective Design Standards by December 2024. Purpose and Intent The purpose of developing Objective Design Standards is to: • Comply with recent State housing legislation; • Implement streamlined and ministerial review processes for qualifying projects; • Ensure that qualifying projects align with the City's expectations and vision to maintain and support the character of the community; • Provide a set of clear criteria to guide development; and • Establish an objective framework by which a qualifying project will be evaluated. Objective Design Standards are a powerful tool that allow communities to respond to State housing laws that are reducing local control of development. They provide an opportunity to ensure that the appearance of new development is compatible with the City's vision. Next Steps In June 2024, the City entered into an agreement for consulting services with PlaceWorks to aid the City in developing citywide Objective Design Standards. Research and document review of the City's current design guidelines and criteria is underway, and the development of draft Objective Design Standards will take place throughout the summer. Staff anticipates the release of draft Objective Design Standards for public review and comment in September 2024 with public hearings for a final draft of the citywide Objective Design Standards anticipated no later than December 2024. PlaceWorks will present an overview of the project and its objectives as it applies to future residential development within the City. Approved by: DocuSigned by: 0916B787BBC64A9... For: Jay Eastman, Assistant Director- Planning Approved by: DocuSigned by Y.: ( u u Wi,Q,Q k-s-Kn, ED45DA2623B54A5... Justina L. Willkom, Community Development Director