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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 418, Village Design Standards ORDINANCE NO. 418 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SARATOGA CITY CODE BY ADDING ARTICLE 15-62 (VILLAGE DESIGN STANDARDS), AND AMENDING ARTICLES 15-06 (DEFINITIONS); ARTICLE 15-12 (R-1: SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS); ARTICLE 15-30 (SIGNS); ARTICLE 15-46 (DESIGN REVIEW: MULTI- FAMILY DWELLINGS AND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES); ARTICLE 15-57 (MINISTERIAL CONSIDERATION OF QUALIFYING PROJECTS); ARTICLE 15-58 (MIXED-USE AND MULTI-FAMILY DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS); AND ARTICLE 15-65 (NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES). THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: Findings 1. Codified objective design standards that implement the City's 2019 Village Design Guidelines are required pursuant to the City's adopted and certified 2023-2031 Housing Element, Policy 3.3 (Establish objective design standards to facilitate streamlined project permitting and update existing design guidelines)and Program 3.3-3 (Preserve the Historic Character of Saratoga Village); and 2. The City of Saratoga conducted multiple community engagement efforts to gather community input on the codification of the Saratoga Village objective design standards, including an online community questionnaire, stakeholder interviews, community workshop, Historical Ad Hoc Committee, and two public study sessions; and 3. On November 17, 2025, the City Council and Planning Commission held a public study session on draft text for the Saratoga Village Objective Design Standards Ordinance to obtain public comment and feedback on the draft text; and 4. On February 11, 2026, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed Public Hearing on a proposed Saratoga Village Objective Design Standards Ordinance and considered evidence presented by City Staff and all interested parties. 5. The public hearing was continued to a date certain of February 25, 2026 to allow for additional public outreach and input; and 6. On February 25, 2026, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed Public Hearing on a proposed Saratoga Village Objective Design Standards Ordinance and considered evidence presented by City Staff and all interested parties. The Planning Commission considered all supporting documents, and all testimony and other evidence presented at the public hearing; and recommended that the City Council adopt the zoning amendments (Planning Commission Resolution 26-005). Ordinance 418 Page 2 7. On March 18, 2026, the City Council of the City of Saratoga held a duly noticed public hearing and after considering all testimony and written materials provided in connection with that hearing introduced this ordinance and waived the reading thereof. 8. On April 1,2026,the City Council adopted this Ordinance at a duly noticed regular meeting. Therefore, the City Council hereby ordains as follows: Section 1. Adoption. The Saratoga City Code is hereby amended as set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B. In Exhibit B Text to be added is indicated in bold double-underlined font (e.g., bold double-underlined) and text to be deleted is indicated in strikeout font(e.g., Wit). Text in standard font is readopted by this ordinance. Text in italics(e.g., italics)is descriptive only and is not part of the amendments to the City Code. Section 2. Severance Clause. The City Council declares that each section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence, clause and phrase of this ordinance is severable and independent of every other section,sub-section, paragraph,sub-paragraph,sentence,clause and phrase of this ordinance. If any section,sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid, the City Council declares that it would have adopted the remaining provisions of this ordinance irrespective of the portion held invalid, and further declares its express intent that the remaining portions of this ordinance should remain in effect after the invalid portion has been eliminated. Section 3. California Environmental Quality Act This legislation is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 15061(b)(3). CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential of having a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In these circumstances, the minor amendments are clarifying only and would have a de minimum impact on the environment. Section 4. Publication. A summary of this ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation of the City of Saratoga within fifteen days after its adoption. Following a duly noticed public hearing the foregoing ordinance was introduced at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held on March 18 2026 and was adopted by the following vote on April 1, 2026. Ordinance 418 Page 3 AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS AFTAB, ZHAO, VICE MAYOR WALIA, MAYOR PAGE NOES: ABSENT: RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER FITZSIMMONS itl Chuck Page, Mayor ATTEST: Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: DATE: Richard Taylor CITY ATTORNEY Exhibit A—Add Article 15-62 to the Saratoga City Code Exhibit B—Amendments to Articles 15-06; 15-12; 15-30; 15-46; 15-57; 15-58; and 15-65 of the Saratoga City Code Ordinance 418 Page 4 Exhibit A Article 15-62 is hereby added to the Saratoga City Code. ARTICLE 15-62—VILLAGE DESIGN STANDARDS 15-62.010—Purpose and applicability. (a) Purpose. The purpose of the Village design standards is to: (1) Reflect the community's quaint small-town identity, natural setting, and historic context; (2) Foster a vibrant shopping and restaurant district and ensure that the Village continues to flourish as a vital and successful business district; (3) Provide opportunities for community and civic activity, public gathering, and engagement; (4) Establish objective design criteria that facilitate new development and viable retail and/or mixed-use buildings that complement the context and human scale of the downtown; and (5) Facilitate streamlined project permitting consistent with State law and the City's Housing Element. (6) Ensure that commercial storefronts are required and appropriately designed along all ground floor street facing frontages. (b) Applicability. (1) The Village design standards apply to all development, and as specified for each zoning district, within the boundaries of the Saratoga Village as established in Figure 1: Saratoga Village Boundary. (2) Compliance with all other applicable development standards and the base zoning district standards is required,including but not limited to Article 15-06(definitions); Article 15-12 — R-1: Single-Family Residential Districts; Article 15-17 (R-M: Multi-Family Residential Districts); Article 15-18 (P-A: Professional and Administrative Office District: Article 15-19 (C: Commercial Districts: Article 15- 21 (M-U: Mixed Use Zoning Districts; Article 15-30 (Signs), Article 15-35 (Off- Street Parking and Loading Facilities), 15-46 (Design Review: Multi-Family Dwellings and Commercial Structures);Article 15-56(Accessory Dwelling Units); Article 15-57 (Ministerial Consideration of Qualifying Projects); Article 15-58 (Mixed-Use and Multi-Family Design and Development Standards); Article 15-59 Ordinance 418 Page 5 (Single-Family Dwelling Design Standards); 15-65 (Nonconforming Uses And Structures). (3) In the event of conflict between development standards of the base zone;applicable design standards of Article 15-56; Article 15-57;Article 15-58; Article 15-59; and this Article(Article 15-62),the standard of this Article applies except as otherwise provided by State law. Figure 15-62.010-1: Saratoga Village Boundary ! OOPP P �1 \ tU.+��e{o \� P N Parcel --�- Village Boundary Creek D ZED Feet WE s Figure 15-62.010-2: Saratoga Village Parking Districts ,NO°° 3 ♦ y1. 4 ♦ b ? ♦ice °P O 1 l -♦ o P 1 0 250 500 _] Parcel t�Parking District v� Feet ♦fir 5 Ordinance 418 Page 6 15-62.020—Building massing standards. (a) Upper story step-backs in the CH-1, CH-2, and P-A districts. (1) Street-facing elevations in the CH-1, CH-2, and P-A districts: Any story above the second story, and any story (other than the ground floor) over 12 feet, shall be stepped-back a minimum of six feet from the floor below. The 12 feet is measured from the finished floor to either the finished floor of the story above, or, for the topmost story of a building, from the finished floor to the bottom of the roof eave, the bottom of the overhang, or the cornice. Figure 15-62.020-1: Required Upper-Story Step-backs -------------- 4^If C� VI mj mi I Min.6 R � (2) Interior side elevations in the CH-1 where abutting an R-1 zone, excluding creek-adjacent parcels: Any story above the second story must be stepped-back a minimum of six feet from the floor below, or located within a sloped roof form. (b) Building articulation in the CH-1 and CH-2 districts. (1) In the CH-1 and CH-2 districts, all street-facing facades must be articulated into storefront bays with a maximum horizontal width of fifty feet, distinguished by a change of plane a minimum of twenty-four inches in depth from the building fagade. Ordinance 418 Page 7 Figure 15-62.020-2: Required Articulation in the CH-1 and CH-2 Max. 50 ft I 31 I I I I I 7 - - = -T-r-r r Max. I (} 12ft Min. 24 in (2) Buildings over one hundred feet in width facing Big Basin Way and abutting a parking district must provide a continuous at-grade paseo between the sidewalk and the rear parking district. The paseo must be designed in accordance with the standards of Section 15-62.040(c)(1), Design of publicly-accessible open spaces. 15-62.030—Building design standards. (a) "360-degree" design. All building elevations shall contain the same materials, color palette, window and door design, proportions, and architectural features as the primary elevation. (b) Ground Floor Commercial. Pursuant to City Code Section 15-58.020(b), commercial use(s) are required along all ground floor street facing frontages in the P-A, C-N, C-V, CH-1 and CH-2 districts,while dwelling unit(s)may be located in all other portions of the structure. (c) Acoustic Design. Buildings shall be designed to comply with the standards of Article 7- 30 — Noise Control. A commercial establishment in a CH zoning district may have amplified or acoustic music outside a building upon issuance of an outdoor music permit pursuant to Section 7-30.090(b) or inside a building in accordance with Section 7- 30.060(f) without such a permit. (d) Roof form. All development in the Village is subject to the roof standards of Section 15- 58.040(a) Roofs, in addition to the following design standards: (1) False facades are allowed only in the restoration of a property on the Heritage Resource Inventory. When used, false facades must include a cornice at least eighteen inches in depth with decorative dentils or brackets. (2) When terra cotta roof tiles are used,the primary building cladding material must be stucco, the roof slope must be 5:12 or less, and windows must be recessed in accordance with subsection 15-58.040(g), Windows and glazing. Ordinance 418 Page 8 (3) A maximum of two types of roof forms or pitches may be visible from any public right-of-way. (e) Frontage design. (1) In the CH-1 and CH-2 districts, all street-facing facades must incorporate at least one of the following: a. An awning; b. An overhang or recessed ground floor; or C. A forecourt. (2) In all zoning districts blank walls at the ground level must include architectural details,landscaping, and/or plant-bearing trellises or lattices.Building walls on any level without a window, arched niche, fountain, pattern of insets, mural, trellis, or a projection, offset, or recess of the building wall at least one foot in depth are limited to 12 lineal feet. (3) In the CH-1, CH-2, P-A, and MU-HD districts, all frontages must incorporate at least one of the following: a. A plant-bearing pergola or trellis; or b. Landscaping along at least fifty percent of the building or frontage. (4) In the R-1 District, all street-facing and interior elevations must incorporate one of the following: a. A vertical plane shift the height of the building elevation at least twenty- four inches in depth; b. A window with a window grille/Juliet balcony; or C. At least one bay window. (5) In all zoning districts any downspout must be painted in the same color as the building surface against which it lies. (f) Entry design. (1) Street-facing storefront entrance dimensions shall comply with Section 15- 58.040(c)(3)(e), Shopfront and Figure 15-58.040-7: Shopfront, with the following exceptions: a. The minimum clear height under an awning is seven feet. b. The maximum storefront bay width is thirty feet. (2) Rear entries facing parking districts shall comply with Section 15-58.040(c)(3)(e) and Figure 15-58.040-7: Shopfront, with the following exceptions: a. The depth of a roofed projection, recessed entry, or combination of projection and recess must be a minimum of thirty inches. b. The minimum clear height under an awning is seven feet. Ordinance 418 Page 9 C. A minimum four feet horizontal clearance between the edge of the building, awning, or seating area and any parking district areas designated for vehicular movement. d. A plant-bearing pergola or trellis, planted areas, or planter boxes along at least thirty percent of the base of the rear building. (g) Windows design and details. (1) Shutters must be the same size as the windows they frame. (2) To establish inviting and transparent frontages, commercial ground floor street- facing window sill height shall be a maximum of thirty inches from the finished floor. (3) Commercial ground floor street-facing windows must be vertically oriented with clear glazing. (4) Windows must have a height to width ratio of at least 1.5:1 or must utilize muntins or grids with a minimum height to width ratio of 1:1. For buildings with board and batten or horizontal siding as the primary building material, all windows must have muntins and trim, including a header/lintel and sill. (h) Commercial ground-floor transparency. (1) CH-1 and CH-2 Districts. On any ground floor street-facing fagade, a minimum sixty percent of the area between two and ten feet in height must include a transparent window or door, as illustrated in Figure 15-62.030-1, Ground-Floor Transparency. Figure 15-62.030-1: Ground-Floor Transparency L LJ L Li LL L -- - - - - loft _ _ itm, in.60%ansparent i Ordinance 418 Page 10 (i) Awning and canopy design. (1) As illustrated below, allowed awning shapes are limited to traditional with or without valance, concave, arch, waterfall, dome, or bullnose. (2) Gable awnings are not permitted. (3) Awnings and shade canopies must be of a durable, commercial-grade fabric or canvas with a matte finish, and may be fixed or retractable. (4) Awning valances may not exceed nine inches in height. Figure 15-62.030-2: Awning Types Traditional,with or Retractable Concave Arch without valance 6,. s= 51 Waterfall Dome Bullnose Gable-Not Allowed (j) Building materials and colors. (1) Building material standards shall comply with Section 15-58.040(h), Building. Materials, with the following exceptions: a. Galvanized or stainless metal is prohibited in the Village. b. Unpainted concrete block or concrete masonry units are prohibited in the Village. (2) Primary and secondary building colors must have a saturation value, within the HSV color model, of seventy percent (70%) or less and a Light Reflecting Value (LRV) between 35 and 60. (3) Color saturation may exceed seventy percent or LRV value may be outside the designated range for accent materials applied to less than ten percent of building surface, awnings, and fixtures. Ordinance 418 Page 11 (k) Architectural Details. (1) To help ensure design integrity in the CH-1 and CH-2 districts, new street-facing facades must incorporate the architectural details of one of the following palettes: a. Palette A. If Palette A is chosen, the project shall include a continuous parapet and cornice, regularly spaced windows, a belt course above the ground floor, and a building base at least eighteen inches from grade. Details that are consistent with the illustrative Figure 15-62.030-3a(Palette A), are strongly encouraged. b. Palette B. If Palette B is chosen, the project shall include a flat roof, an overhang at least eighteen inches in depth, full-height windows, and wood or stone details. Details that are consistent with Figure 15-62.030-3b, (Palette B) are strongly encouraged. C. Palette C. If Palette C is chosen, the project shall include terra cotta roof tiles in accordance with subsection 15-62.030(d)(2), pitched roof, exposed rafter or bracket details, wood or wrought iron trim, windows recessed at least two inches, and stucco cladding.Details that are consistent with Figure 15-62.030-3c (Palette C) are strongly encouraged. d. Palette D. If Palette D is chosen, the project shall include roof shingles or shakes, regularly spaced windows with sills and lintels, and horizontal or board and batten siding. Details that are consistent with Figure 15-62.030- 3d(Palette D) are strongly encouraged. (2) Where a building exhibits a detail palette described in Figure 15-62.030-3a, b, c or d, any renovation to the structure must preserve any feature that is demonstrative of the particular detail palette. Ordinance 418 Page 12 Figure 15-62.030-3a: Building Articulation and Detail Palette A ---1 r---- I Continuous I --- parapet ----�__ --- r-- ---- Continous ---- i o 0 0 0 0 0 0 cornice I I I _ Regularlyspaced —� ~ windows I I I I - ——— String course j Eave or belt course ---- _ frames middle section I I I Awning Transom feature —— Building — L___ base Section Elevation Illustrative only. Ordinance 418 Page 13 Figure 15-62.030-3b: Building Articulation and Detail Palette B Flat roof r--Deep overhang —�_ _-J Full-height windows, geometric window pane patterns Balcony/deck railing with clean lines Angular surfaces with clean lines — L Natural materials and tones Section Elevation Illustrative only. Ordinance 418 Page 14 Figure 15-62.030-3c: Building Articulation and Detail Palette C Broad chimney -—————— ---, with cap r--- --- Terra cotta roof_ r with shallow pitch I � I 4� Deep eaves with > exposed rafter tails Deep-set I windows and doors I Wrought iron or wood railing —— Bracket details Stucco Wide columns Arched recess or arcade Tile accent Section Elevation Illustrative only. Ordinance 418 Page 15 Figure 15-62.030-3d: Building Articulation and Detail Palette D Recessed �- __� balcony I I _Gable end with _ material accent I I I --J L -- Decorative bracket I — - _-Regularly spaced —___ m� I windows with lintel I LJEI and sill I I _J — L_Belt course separates_ -- -—J base from middle L-- ,_----Awning Transom window Horizontal or _ board-and-batten L siding -- Building -- I----- base ---� Section Elevation Mustrative only. Ordinance 418 Page 16 15-62.040—Site design standards. (a) Building Placement, CH-1 and CH--2 districts. (1) The property line shall be verified by a Boundary Survey,performed by a licensed Surveyor, for any new construction. (2) A minimum eighty percent of ground-floor building frontage must be built at the front setback line to maintain a consistent street wall, as illustrated in Figure 15- 62.040-1, Building Placement. (3) For buildings up to sixty feet wide, the portion of the building frontage located behind the front setback line may exceed twenty percent if the setback area is designed as a publicly-accessible open space in accordance with the standards of Section 15-62.040(c), Publicly-accessible open space. Figure 15-62.040-1: Building Placement .. q+8�80W of W -------------------------------- Front Setback Line J property Line/Street Line SIDEWALK ROADWAY (b) Design of setback areas. (1) All areas between the street-facing property line and the ground floor must be improved to visually distinguish the area from the public right-of-way, emphasize the building entrance and pedestrian approach, and frame building transparency. The design shall include at least one of the following elements: a. Outdoor surfacing that is distinct from the adjacent sidewalk; b. Low walls and fencing a maximum of thirty inches in height; or C. Landscaping, planter boxes, and climbing vines. (2) Where the street-facing building setback is greater than ten feet in depth from the public-right-of-way, outdoor dining or seating areas are required, as a condition of approval. This requirement may be waived if outdoor dining is already included in the public right-of-way at the time of application submittal. (3) No street-facing setback may be used for parking in the CH-1, CH-2, or MU-HD districts. Ordinance 418 Page 17 (4) All areas between an interior property line and the ground floor must be either usable space or landscaped and must be permanently maintained. Figure 15-62.040-2: Design of Street-Facing Setbacks VE EIEE:][:IEE:l Sx Seating where Improvements — recess>10 ft Planter boxes frame building Landscaping to define space transparency flanks entry (c) Publicly-accessible open spaces on private property. (1) All courtyards, paseos, and other publicly-accessible open spaces must adhere to the following criteria: a. Shall meet federal and state accessibility requirements and be visible from a public street, parking district, or other on-site publicly-accessible areas and remain accessible during business hours. b. Shall not exceed five percent in slope. C. Must be visually distinguishable from areas for vehicular travel. Materials may include landscaping, flagstone, wood decking, textured pavement, pavers, concrete, or other dust-free surfacing. d. May include a public art feature. (2) Courtyards open to and facing a public right-of-way must adhere to the following criteria: a. Must be a minimum fifteen feet in width by twelve feet in depth. b. Must be enclosed on at least two sides by building walls. One wall may be an abutting adjacent building. C. Must be level with the sidewalk and may not slope down away from the right-of-way. d. Must include seating. Seating can be covered and can include built-in or moveable furniture. Ordinance 418 Page 18 (d) Screening. (1) All outdoor refuse areas shall be fully enclosed by a solid wall or fence and solid gates of sufficient height to screen the refuse bins and refuse at capacity from view from the public right-of-way, from parking districts, and from view from the rear lot line of properties that face Oak Street. a. Screening materials must either be the same as those used for the primary structure or wood. b. The floor of any enclosure shall have a drain that connects to the sanitary sewer system, and the refuse area shall meet all stormwater regulations. C. Collection, storage or stacking of refuse is prohibited outside the refuse enclosure. (2) All building-mounted, ground-mounted, or roof-mounted equipment must be screened from view from the public right-of-way using screening elements such as planting or screen walls made of materials consistent with the quality and material palette used in the rest of the project. (e) Fire Prevention Standards. In all cases where landscaping is proposed, it shall be designed in accordance with fire prevention standards of Ca1FIRE, the City of Saratoga, and the Saratoga Fire Protection District, including but not limited to the City's Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards. (f) Maintenance. (1) Whenever screening or landscaping is required, the owner or occupant of the property shall keep and maintain such screening and landscaping in good condition and repair. (2) All Saratoga Village properties and buildings shall be maintained in good order, in accordance with Article 7-45 - Commercial Property Maintenance, or Article 7-50 — Residential Property Maintenance, as applicable. Historic buildings and properties listed on the Heritage Resource Inventory shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 13 - Heritage Preservation. Ordinance 418 Page 19 Exhibit B Articles 15-06; 15-12; 15-30; 15-46; 15-57; 15-58; and 15-65 of the Saratoga City Code is amended as set forth below. Text to be added is indicated in bold double-underlined font(e.g.,bold double-underlined) and text to be deleted is indicated in strikeout font (e.g., stv�keeut). Text in standard font is readopted by this ordinance. Text in italics (e.g., italics) is explanatory and not a part of the ordinance. ARTICLE 15-06: DEFINITIONS 15-06.005—Awning Valance "Awning Valance" is a decorative Hart of an awning that hangs down from the bottom edge of the awning frame or structure. 15-06.106—Belt Course "Belt Course" means a continuous,horizontal band set in a building wall for visual emphasis or structural support. Belt courses typically project from a building face and visually separates different floors or building materials. Also known as a "string course." 15-06.651—Storefront_bav "Storefront bay" means a section of a building's ground-floor facade that is visually defined by the building's structural elements and improved with windows, signage, or other pedestrian-oriented elements. 15-06.710—Village "Village" or "Saratoga Village" or "Saratoga Village boundary" means the area defined in section 15-62.010(b) of this Code. ofthe City designated as the "SarategaI 'Naga Plan A+ea" in the etiff ent Saratoga Genefa4 Plan, as adopted by the City pursuan4 to the r-equiFements of t GovemAnent Code. ARTICLE 15-12 -R-1: SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS 15-12.108 - Building and Site Design Standards. (a) The following structures must comply with the standards of Article 15-59, Single-Family Dwelling Design Standards: (1) Single-family dwellings including employee housing for six or fewer employees. (2) Dwelling units allowed per Article 15-57, Ministerial Consideration of Qualifying Proj ects. (b) All buildings located in the R-1 zone within the Saratoga Village boundary must comply with the standards of Article 15-62, Village Design Standards. Ordinance 418 Page 20 ARTICLE 15-30—SIGNS 15-30.070—Village Sign District. In addition to other signs allowed pursuant to this Article, the following signs are allowed on lots in the Village Sign District with a sign permit. Signs on lots in the Village Sign District shall also be consistent with the Village Design Guidelines. (a) Building signs. (1) Primary building signs. Any number of permanent building signs, provided that the aggregate area of all building signs for any one tenant shall not exceed one-half square foot of area for each lineal foot of tenant frontage, as defined in Section 15- 30.020, or forty square feet, whichever is less. (2) Wall signs on buildings with more than one entrance. One permanent building sign, each not exceeding two square feet in area, over each additional entrance to the building. (3) No building sign may cover any architectural element that serves to define a storefront bay. This includes columns, muntins, transoms, and belt courses. (b) Projecting sign. If one of the primary building signs permitted pursuant to subsection 15- 30-.070(a)(1) is a projecting sign, the maximum area for all building signs upon any one building shall be increased by six square feet. However, no projecting sign permitted pursuant to this section shall exceed ten square feet in area and if projecting outward from a building at a perpendicular angle, or six feet in area if hanging below an awning or covered walkway. The bottom of the sign shall be at least seven feet above the grade below. An example of a projecting sign is shown in Graphic 1. Sign I f—�5'�► Copy 5' Awning Sign 4 Copy ?' T minimum 2 above grade 7'minimum ti above grade a. s' w Graphic 1: Projecting Signs Grade (Example only,not to scale) Ordinance 418 Page 21 (1) The material and color palette of a projecting sign must bear a relationship to the building's architecture, cladding, or trim. (c) Awning sign. (1) Sign copy width: Sign copy (including all text and logos) may be a maximum forty percent of the width of the valence_ or awning face on which it is displayed. (2) Sign area. All awning sign copy (including text and logos) counts toward the total allowable sign area. (3) Number of signs: Maximum one sign per awning. Figure 15-30.070-2: Awning Sign Sign Widths-: Awning Width (c)(d) Electronic sign. One electronic sign (e.g., neon or L.E.D.) not exceeding two square feet in area, provided that: (1) The entire sign shall be comprised of one or a maximum of two solid colors. (2) The sign shall not flash or be composed of a changeable message. (3) The sign must be externally illuminated, halo-lit solid surface, or internally illuminated individual channel cut letters. (-3) C The sign shall not be illuminated when the use is closed. Ordinance 418 Page 22 (4} 5)The If the sign is located on a building,it shall count towards the maximum building sign allowance. (5) ( If the sign is located in a window, it shall count towards the maximum window coverage. (4) ee Freestanding sign. One permanent freestanding sign per lot, as follows: (1) Four or fewer uses. The sign shall only be a pole sign and not exceed nine square feet in area or ten feet in height. An example is shown in Graphic 2. (2) Five or more uses. The sign shall only be a monument sign and shall not exceed fourteen square feet in area, plus one additional square foot of area for each use over five uses. The sign shall not exceed six and one-half feet in height. 14' 9 SF iphic 2: Pole Sign Examples ample Only, not to scale) (3) The material and color palette of a freestanding sign must bear a relationship to the building's architecture, cladding, or trim. (fl Roof Signs. Roof signs and any signs extending above eave lines are not permitted in the Village. Ordinance 418 Page 23 ARTICLE 1546—DESIGN REVIEW:MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES 15-46.040 -Design review findings. (a) Except as to buildings subject to Section 15-46-040(b) or (c), the Planning Commission shall not grant design review approval unless it is able to make the following findings: (1) Where more than one building or structure will be constructed, the architectural features and landscaping thereof shall be harmonious. Such features include height, elevations, roofs, material, color and appurtenances. (2) Where more than one sign will be erected or displayed on the site, the signs shall have a common or compatible design and locational positions and shall be harmonious in appearance. (3) Landscaping shall integrate and accommodate existing trees and vegetation to be preserved; it shall make use of water-conserving plants, materials and irrigation systems to the maximum extent feasible; and, to the maximum extent feasible, it shall be clustered in natural appearing groups, as opposed to being placed in rows or regularly spaced. (4) Colors of wall and roofing materials shall blend with the landscape and be nonreflective. (5) Roofing materials shall be wood shingles,wood shakes,tile,or other materials such as composition as approved by the Planning Commission. No mechanical equipment shall be located upon a roof unless it is appropriately screened. (6) The proposed development shall be compatible in terms of height,bulk and design with other structures in the immediate area. (b) For any multi-family dwelling,including any building that meets the criteria of Section 15- 21.020(c), the Planning Commission shall grant design review approval if it finds that the building meets the objective design standards of this Code including, without limitation, those identified in Article 15-58. (c) For any mixed-use or residential development located within the boundaries of the Saratoga Village. the Planning Commission shall grant design review approval if it finds that the building meets the objective design standards of this Code including, without limitation, those identified in Article 15-62. Ordinance 418 Page 24 ARTICLE 15-57—MINISTERIAL CONSIDERATION OF QUALIFYING PROJECTS 15-57.040—Development standards. Development of Two-Unit Residential Development Three-Unit Residential Conversion or an Urban Lot Split pursuant to this Article shall comply with the following development standards and all applicable objective standards of the City Code including without limitation Article 15- 59, Single-Family Dwelling Design Standards, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this section or in Article 15-56, Accessory Dwelling Units. Any development pursuant to this Article that is located within Saratoga Village shall also comply with the applicable objective standards and requirements of Article 15-62,Village Design Standards. A project proposed as part of a Two-Unit Residential Development, Three-Unit Residential Conversion, or an Urban Lot Split,which does not meet the requirements of this Article may seek discretionary approval pursuant to the applicable provisions of the City Code. [No changes to remainder of this section.] ARTICLE 15-58—MIXED-USE AND MULTI-FAMILY DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 15-58.020—Development standards. The provisions of this article apply to all multi-family residential and mixed-use projects that are allowed uses under this Code or State law. The standards contained herein are intended to be objective in nature, meaning that the application of the standards involves no personal or subjective judgement by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official prior to submittal. The standards that apply to commercial uses are not applicable to a project that includes only multi-family residential development, but they are applicable to the commercial portion(s) of a mixed-use project. Those standards that apply to residential uses apply to both multi-family residential projects and the residential portion(s) of a mixed-use project. Any development pursuant to this Article that is located within Saratoga Village shall also comply with the applicable objective standards and requirements of Article 15-62,Village Design Standards. In addition to the standards set forth elsewhere in this Article all multi-family residential and mixed-use projects shall comply with the following standards. [No changes to remainder of this section.] 15-58.030 -Design standards, building placement and articulation. (a) Building placement. (1) R-M district.No building placement standards. (2) CH a ru 2 disc . ets n eighty ght�I r per ground � � floor b it � „cam fropAage must be built at the fient set-baek line to maintain a eonsistent street wall, illustrated i Figure 15 58 nzn_i Ordinance 418 Page 25 Figure 15 5$.030 1. Building vi.,..e nt ru_i an ru 2 Dist:iets (34 2 M-U, P-A, C-V, and C-N districts. A minimum seventy percent of ground-floor building frontage must be built within ten feet of the front setback line,as illustrated in Figure 15-58.030-2. Standard applicable only to lots that conform to the zoning district's minimum size and lot width requirements. Figure 15-58.030-2: Building Placement, MU-MD, MU-HD,MU-VHD,P-A and C-N Districts loft Front Setback Line I - — — — -— —- — —-— — Property Line/Street Line SIDEWALK ROADWAY 3� Corner areas, all districts. On street corners, buildings must be located at the intersecting front and street side setback lines or the corner area must be improved as part of a public plaza, a small park, or other publicly-accessible improved open space. The corner area is the area bounded by the intersecting property lines and lines perpendicular to and thirty feet from the intersecting property lines, as illustrated in Figure 15-58.030-3. Figure 15-58.030-3: Corner Areas I, W !^b open apace (b) Upper-story step-back. (1) P-A,R-M,C-V,and C-N,CH 1,and CH 2 districts. Requirements for upper-story step-backs are established in the base zone standards [No changes to remainder of this section.] Ordinance 418 Page 26 ARTICLE 15-65—NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES 15-65.020—Definitions (d) Nonconforming structure means a structure lawfully existing on the effective date of a change in a development standard established by this Code and continuing since that date in nonconformance to the development standard. The use of this term in this Article shall refer only to a legal nonconforming structure. (1) A structure that was not originally constructed in conformance with regulations applicable at the time is not a legal structure. (2) A structure that solely lacks the required number of off-street parking facilities,but otherwise conforms to City Code is not considered nonconforming. (3) A structure that received design review approval prior to April 5, 2025 is not considered a non-conforming structure based on non-compliance with Article 15- 59, Single-Family.Dwelling Design Standards. (4) A structure in the Saratoga Village that received_design review approval Prior to April 30 2026 is not considered a non-conforming structure based on non- compliance with Article 15-62, Village Design Standards.