By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga residents will have an opportunity to pick up an updated residential design review handbook soon and notice some changes, especially pertaining to standards related to outdoor lighting fixtures, the height exception for design review and front yard landscaping.
On Feb. 19, the Saratoga City Council adopted a resolution approving a single-family residential design review handbook and introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the city code. The council directed city staff to place the ordinance on the consent calendar for adoption at the next council meeting.
The handbook is divided into four sections–neighborhood context, site planning, building design and landscaping–related to residential design, with an appendix related to hillside residential design. The first page of each section identifies relevant design review findings required for project approval. Each section also includes four to five corresponding guidelines and design techniques and each guideline includes conceptual illustrations of design techniques.
Amendments were made to several articles related to design review in the city code as well as to front yard landscaping requirements, such as the proposed requirement for at least 50 percent live or decorative landscaping in the front yard. The new handbook also encourages plants and irrigation methods that reduce the water required for an attractive landscape.
Informational handouts to help residents and applicants understand different planning processes will be made available, according to a city report. One handout will have an overview of the design review process with approximate timelines for project approval, while another handout will assist the applicant in evaluating building design elements of their proposed home with other homes in the neighborhood.
The residential design handbook serves to guide residents, architects, developers and builders in designing new single-family homes or remodeling of existing homes in a manner that is compatible with surrounding properties. The handbook also serves as a guide to city staff, planning commission and city council in the single-family design review process.
Work on the handbook was completed in January after a process that began in February 2013. Over the course of the year, the planning commission held nine public study sessions where they received feedback from design professionals as well as residents.
Changes are coming in city’s new residential design review handbook
