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Selma staff to draft downtown design standards after public workshop; timeline set for review
Summary
At a June 3 joint workshop, Selma city staff sought input on proposed downtown design standards, presenting options on building height, storefronts, materials, colors and enforcement. Staff said a draft would be prepared within 30–45 days and routed to the Downtown Improvement District, Planning Commission and City Council for adoption.
Selma Deputy City Manager Jerome told a joint meeting of the Selma City Council, Planning Commission and Downtown Business Improvement District on June 3 that staff will prepare draft downtown design standards for the city’s recently designated Cultural Arts District.
“Tonight’s focus is really about shaping the design standards for downtown and how the future development and renovations will dictate the look and feel of our downtown,” Jerome said, outlining goals, examples and a series of audience polls used to guide preferences.
The workshop covered several categories staff expects the draft to address: allowable building heights and step-backs for upper floors, storefront and façade design (including window transparency and recessed entries), materials and color palettes, awnings and signage, public-space features (benches, trees, bike parking), and thresholds that would trigger review. Jerome said design standards would generally apply to new construction and major exterior remodels; “they are not necessarily retroactive,” he said, and routine maintenance would not require full compliance unless the work met a threshold set by the city.
Staff presented two color-palette concepts (a terracotta-inspired palette and a neutral palette) and a range of material options; a participant identified as Parminder favored natural brick, saying it “makes it really difficult to maintain over the years” when painted and that “the brick looks nice.” Attendees also raised accessibility and parking questions: Stella Ramirez asked, “How does ADA play a factor in all of this? Like, if someone's in a wheelchair, how will they be able to?” Jerome replied that public-access upper floors in new buildings would typically include elevators and that different accessibility standards apply to private residential units.
Staff reported quick poll results during the meeting: respondents ranked attractive storefronts and building design, trees/landscaping and comfortable shaded sidewalks among the top priorities; roughly 42% indicated the downtown should include more housing in multistory buildings while another portion supported additional housing if upper stories “feel pedestrian friendly and blend seamlessly.” Jerome noted the city’s current zoning and said the material presented did not contemplate high-rises — commissioners and attendees discussed 2–3 story buildings with upper-story step-backs to preserve sunlight and street scale.
Participants and commissioners debated enforcement and review. Several speakers urged objective objective standards to reduce subjectivity; others supported an architectural review or appeals committee to consider exceptions. Jerome said staff can set thresholds so that painting or repairs trigger review only when they meet a defined scope and that applicants seeking exceptions could be reviewed by a committee. He also said the city has a storefront improvement grant that staff would tie into the standards.
Staff identified the study area as the Downtown Business Improvement District roughly described during the meeting as the area between West Front and Arrantz and extending to Third Street/High Street and said there are more than 1,000 public parking spaces in the downtown area. Jerome also noted a separate capital project — a Second Street gateway funded by a $3,000,000 Clean California grant — and said staff is exploring negotiations with Union Pacific about right-of-way activation and possible parking use on railroad property.
On timing and process, Jerome said, “Our hope is to have it drafted within the next 30, 45 days,” and described the review path as the Downtown Improvement District first, then the Planning Commission because it is an ordinance change, and then the City Council. He estimated the ordinance could reach City Council within about 60 days and then enter implementation after required public-notice periods.
The meeting was a study session; no motions or votes were taken. Staff closed by inviting additional written comments and offering to incorporate the evening’s input into the draft standards.
