Share comments on proposed “Objective Design Standards” for new homes in Piedmont
Share comments on proposed “Objective Design Standards” for new homes in
Piedmont
Draft new “Objective Design Standards” that
would govern new housing construction in Piedmont are now available for review
and comment:
Draft Objective Design Standards
Submit comments to Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, [email protected]
Comments due December 7, 2025
A year and a half in development, the Draft
Objective Design Standards aim to create clear, measurable, and enforceable
rules governing design elements like articulation and massing, providing
residents, property owners, and developers clear and consistent expectations
for what new housing in Piedmont will look like.
While not dictating specific architectural
styles, the draft standards are designed to result in housing consistent with
what already exists in Piedmont – maintaining architectural interest through
form, articulation, step backs, and other structural detail.
Draft Objective Design Standards reflect community feedback and existing
design guidelines
State law now requires cities to approve
certain new housing proposals, including accessory dwelling units and SB9
applications, based on “objective” standards – those that require no subjective
judgement or interpretation by public officials.
Unlike the traditional design review process,
these state-mandated “ministerial” permits cannot take into account public
comments and do not come to the Planning Commission for approval at a public
meeting.
When developing the Objective Design
Standards, the project team – which included a Planning Commission subcommittee
– started with Piedmont’s existing Design Review guidelines and looked at how
they could be translated into objective, measurable rules.
The draft Objective Design Standards were also
informed by community feedback received at two open house events, an online
survey, and two Planning Commission study sessions. Proposed rules governing
driveways and window placement reflect common concerns about safety and privacy.
Comments due December 7
In Piedmont, objective design standards
already exist for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multi-family and
mixed-use developments. This initiative is developing new objective standards
for one-to-four unit residential development and updating the existing
standards for other housing types.
The draft Objective Design Standards include:
·
Vehicular access and parking standards
·
Site grading standards, particularly for
development on steep lots
·
Standards for converting an existing
single-family home to a duplex
·
Standards intended to enhance privacy
·
Standards for balconies, decks, private, and
semi-private open spaces
·
Façade articulation standards
·
Different configurations of how a property can
be split and how up to 4-unit development can occur for SB9 projects
Community
members can submit comments by email to [email protected] or by mail to Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, 120
Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611. The comment period closes December 7.
The Planning
Commission is expected to consider a recommendation on the Objective Design
Standards in January.
Learn more about this initiative and see
materials and video from previous discussions at piedmont.ca.gov/ObjectiveDesignStandards.