Commission recommends city adopt objective residential design standards (SP2023‑003)

The Santa Maria Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt the city’s objective residential design standards (SP2023‑003), a package of non‑discretionary rules intended to guide ministerial residential reviews and provide predictable design criteria for infill housing.

Frank (planning staff) opened the staff presentation by describing the standards as a response to recent California legislation that limits discretionary review of certain housing projects: “This presentation is on the objective design standards. We are producing these objective design standards for residential projects in response to recent California legislation,” he told the commission.

What the standards do

Staff said the document provides objective, published criteria that apply to residential projects citywide, including projects that are reviewed ministerially (for example, some projects subject to SB 35) and traditional discretionary housing reviews. The standards are organized into three housing‑type tracks: single‑family and multiplexes; garden‑style walk‑ups and row houses; and multi‑family/mixed‑use buildings four stories and taller. Each track includes site design, building‑exterior design, and materials/color guidance. Staff said the document is intended to reduce subjective judgments in ministerial review and provide predictability for developers and neighbors.

Outreach and process

Staff described an extensive outreach and drafting process that began in 2023 and included three public study sessions, developer working groups and a public website with draft documents. Ramey and Associates served as the city’s consultant and staff said they revised the draft several times in response to comments. The project was described on the record as program SP2023‑003.

Bicycle parking and shadow analysis

Staff noted receipt of a comment letter from Jeffrey Wheeler requesting more detailed bicycle standards; staff said the document's short‑term and long‑term bicycle parking counts were reduced from earlier drafts and that the city’s active transportation plan will supply more detailed, usage‑wide bicycle guidelines. On shadowing, staff said they researched other jurisdictions and concluded that detailed unit‑by‑unit solar receipt standards were not broadly established; instead the standard relies on setbacks, stepbacks, open‑space requirements and zoning heights to limit shading impacts for ministerial projects.

Public comment and commission feedback

Lori Tamora of Urban Planning Concepts addressed the commission in support of the process and noted that many larger projects will still follow discretionary review: “I don't think I wanna see this again,” she said, praising staff outreach and revisions.

Commissioners expressed support for the document after multiple study sessions and staff responses to developer input. Commissioner Seifert moved the formal recommendation, saying the commission should forward the standards to council for adoption.

Action

Commissioner Seifert moved that the planning commission, by resolution, recommend that the city council adopt the objective residential design standards SP2023‑003. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by roll call (Seifert: Aye; Mohajer: Aye; Lopez: Aye; Blanco: Aye; Chair Dickerson: Aye). The commission’s recommendation sends SP2023‑003 to city council for final adoption.

Why it matters

Staff and commissioners said objective standards create predictability for developers and neighbors and are required under state law for certain ministerial housing approvals. The standards are intended to streamline review while preserving basic local design expectations for setbacks, height transitions and pedestrian orientation.

Next steps

Staff will forward the planning commission’s recommendation and the draft objective residential design standards to city council; staff indicated a tentative council review in May and said they will coordinate noticing and agenda timing.

Ending

The commission closed a multi‑year drafting process with a unanimous recommendation to the council; staff and consultants will pursue council adoption and incorporate remaining technical comments as needed prior to final action.