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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STAFF REPORT DATE: April 28, 1997 TO: John Jermanis, City Manager FROM: June Catalano, Development Services D' ector BY: Steve Emslie, Planning Manager and Elizabeth Greene, Acting Project PI er SUBJECT: Design Review SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO CITY COUNCIL Jo ermanis anager The Planning Commission is interested in developing a Design Review program for projects deemed important or very visible within the City. Design review programs have been used by other cities to ensure that new development blends with existing buildings and creates a quality appearance. This program would involve the development of design criteria and the selection of a design review panel to evaluate projects. This report requests that the City Council direct the Planning Commission to develop a recommended design review program for Council consideration and adoption. Many cities have a design review process which allows them to monitor important projects. This process ensures that development within the city reflects the community's values and heritage. By having a design review process, these communities also have a sense of place; the community gains a uniqueness which is apparent to visitors and residents alike. Examples of such cities are Santa Barbara and Mountain View. DISCUSSION The Planning Commission believes that it is in the City's best interest to have the design of major projects subject to review early in the development process, when suggestions can be more easily incorporated into the building design. The Planning Commission believes that a sub -commission made up of City Council, Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments members should be created to develop the review process. While the design review process should encourage quality architecture throughout the City, it should not create an undue burden on developers. The process would not delay the development process and should allow for creativity within the broad guidelines. As part of the review process, design guidelines will be developed. Design review could proceed before design guidelines are finalized. These guidelines would be used as the measure by which individual developments would be evaluated. They would be provided to developers at the earliest possible opportunity so that building designs could be planned with the standards in mind. 93