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that can be retail, residential, or semi-public office use. The combined effect of increased building <br />height, density, and active ground-floor frontages would constitute a substantial visual contrast to <br />existing conditions. <br />To enhance compatibility with existing and surrounding development, the proposed Specific Plan <br />would establish two height overlay areas to facilitate appropriate transitions between new and <br />existing development within the Specific Plan Area. The Residential Transition Area Overlay would <br />require new development adjacent to residential zoning districts to have a 15-foot minimum <br />setback at a 45-degree angle, which would limit building massing and height to retain solar access <br />and privacy for existing residences. The East 14th Transition Area Overlay would require new <br />development to transition down to a 5-story maximum building height within the first 40 feet from <br />the sidewalk along East 14th Street. These height restrictions would help promote compatibility of <br />character and scale with existing development along the east side of East 14th Street. <br />Design Quality <br />The Specific Plan includes numerous policies to help ensure and enhance quality of the visual <br />character of the streetscapes and new development. These may be found in the proposed Specific <br />Plan in Chapter 3, Mobility, under Sidewalks and Public Frontages, and Chapter 5, Development <br />Standards and Guidelines. Selected examples follow. <br />SIDEWALK AND PUBLIC FRONTAGE GUIDELINES <br />1. Streetscape. The public realm should be enhanced with new street trees, street furniture, <br />and sidewalks or pathways. <br />2. Unified Streetscape Character. The streetscape should be designed with a coordinated <br />palette of materials, furnishing, and style. Project applicants should coordinate with City to <br />determine the appropriate design. <br />6. Rear Landscaping. Substantial landscape screening should be planted along the rear of <br />commercial and mixed-use buildings adjacent to residential streets or properties. <br />7. Street Furnishings. Street furniture, including benches, bicycle parking, and trash <br />receptacles, should be consistent in their appearance throughout the area. <br />8. Front Screening. One or more rows of street trees should be used to screen the front <br />facades of residential and office uses. <br />13. Street Trees. Street trees should be placed an average of 25 to 35 feet on center, or as <br />needed for continuous sidewalk canopy. Street tree types should be selected to ensure a <br />unified street environment identity throughout the Specific Plan Area. <br />BUILDING DESIGN GUIDELINES <br />3. Facade Articulation. All highly visible building facades should be designed with consistent or <br />complementary materials, articulation, and quality. <br />4. Side Street Building Facades. Side street ground floor frontages should support pedestrian <br />interest and accessibility, which may include commercial storefronts and building entrances <br />or stoops in other locations. <br />136