Staff previews land development code 'phase 1' updates; study session to follow in May

Director Lamboy briefed the board on the city’s land development code update, saying staff plans to introduce phase‑1 amendments in April and that the Historic Districts Review Board should expect a study session in May. The phase‑1 work includes code “cleanup” and several substantive items staff described as necessary or beneficial for citywide policy goals.

Key staff points: the phase‑1 package reorganizes district design standards to reduce reliance on prescriptive style categories and strengthen material‑and‑context‑based guidance; it includes incentives and regulatory changes intended to support affordable housing (greater density or other incentives), increased allowance for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and updates to fence height rules and green building standards outside historic districts. Staff also said minimum heights for new buildings are being clarified in the code (e.g., two‑story minimums at about 26 feet, three‑story definitions at about 30 feet in certain contexts) and that materials and preservation criteria for the historic districts have been reorganized so standards are clearer and more materials‑focused.

Director Lamboy and staff emphasized this is only phase‑1 (a mix of housekeeping and some substantive policy work) and that additional phases will align the land development code with a forthcoming general plan update. Several board members asked for a draft of the changes before the study session and requested that staff circulate draft language; staff agreed to share the staff draft for review prior to the board study session.