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Madera council approves introduction of ordinance to set commercial exterior paint palette
Summary
The Madera City Council introduced and approved by unanimous roll-call vote a draft ordinance to establish exterior paint color standards for commercial zones, including a staff-recommended palette and a 10% allowance for accent/trim colors; staff said the change is exempt from CEQA under the common-sense exception and will return for a second reading on May 20.
The Madera City Council on May 6 introduced an ordinance that would set an approved exterior paint color palette for buildings in commercial zoning districts and require staff review for proposed colors.
Planning staff explained the ordinance would apply to new construction, additions and repainting in commercial zones and would prohibit “nuisance or bright colors” in those districts. Planning staff said the ordinance would allow up to 10% of a building’s exterior to use an alternate accent or trim color and that applicants would submit a color application reviewed by planning staff; staff decisions could be appealed to the planning commission and from there to the council.
"The ordinance also specifies a certain percentage, 10%, can have accent or trim colors that are different," the planning manager said, describing the palette and approval process. Staff recommended the city declare the measure exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the common-sense exemption (CEQA §15061(b)(3)).
Council members asked whether the palette could be amended later, whether downtown districts could have special flexibility and how corporate brand colors would be handled. Staff said adding or removing colors would take two council meetings because the palette is adopted by resolution and that applicants could request trim or accent exceptions subject to staff review and appeal.
Council voted to "waive full reading and introduce by title" the ordinance as amended by staff and scheduled a second reading and a resolution to adopt the palette for the May 20 meeting. The motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote.
What happens next: staff will prepare the resolution that sets the actual color list for the council’s May 20 consent calendar and will incorporate council direction about ranges and any suggested palette edits.
