Saratoga is revising downtown development guidelines to balance historical charm with modern updates. A study session on June 25 focused on creating objective design standards for residential and mixed-use projects, forming part of the city’s 2023-31 Housing Element. Existing guidelines will remain recommendations, but new standards aim to streamline permitting processes. Consultants, including Lisa Wise Consulting, will propose amendments to zoning laws and design guidelines. The session highlighted challenges in defining objective design and discussed building styles, site design, and compliance with Senate Bill 330.
The goal is to eventually update the Village Design Guidelines with new objective design standards, which will help to streamline project permitting and incorporate essential updates.
The study session revealed a struggle among planning commissioners and city councilmembers to define what qualifies as an objective design standard for new developments.
Consultants aim to propose amendments to the city's zoning laws that align with new standards and ensure guidelines are compliant with previous legislative mandates.
Discussions included identifying buildings that reflect Village styles and detailing specific permitted and unpermitted features for new developments.
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