1. Design Standards in Saint Paul Proposed Design Standards Zoning Amendments December 16, 2009 Department of Safety & Inspections / Department of Planning & Economic Development / City Council Research

2. Timeline of study City Council directed Planning Commission to study options for design standards for 1- and 2-family dwellings (Jan. 2009) City Council passed the interim ordinance (Feb. 2009) Public hearing draft developed by staff Planning Commission public hearings on May 22 and June 5, 2009 Neighborhood Planning Committee considered public testimony and staff recommendation (summer-fall 2009) Planning Commission approved the Neighborhood Planning Committee recommendation (Oct. 16, 2009)

3. The interim ordinance (Feb. 2009 to date) Before it, existing design standards (§63.110) were only applied to uses that require site plan review (not 1- and 2- family homes) The interim ordinance has required a site plan review of 1- and 2-family homes –The proposed amendments would continue to require this

4. Public hearing highlights Residential & nonresidential buildings should relate to the street (entrances, pedestrian connections and windows & doors facing street) Creativity and innovation should not be thwarted Avoid obstacles to green building techniques, designs, and technologies Focus on clear, measurable, objective standards Limit parking locations and the amount of pavement used but consider common site constraints (no alley, etc.)

5. §63.110. General Design Standards (b) New development should relate to the design of adjacent traditional buildings, where these are present, in scale and character. This can be achieved by maintaining similar setbacks, facade divisions, roof lines, rhythm and proportions of openings, building materials and colors. Historic architectural styles need not be replicated. What is “traditional”? What does “relate to” mean? Subjective concepts Avoid fruitless aesthetic debates (costly, time-consuming) Better to use the regular variance process (unique circumstances) Focus on clear, measurable, objective standards

6. Primary entrances for all buildings A primary entrance of principal structures shall be located within the front third of the structure; + be delineated with elements such as roof overhangs, recessed entries, landscaping, or similar design features; + and have a direct pedestrian connection to the street. In addition, for one- and two-family dwellings, a primary entrance shall either: 1) face an improved abutting street; or 2) be located off of a front porch, foyer, courtyard, or similar architectural feature, and set back at least eight (8) feet from the side lot line.  Within front 1/3,  Located off a foyer  Not within front 1/3

7. on above grade exterior walls of principal residential & nonresidential buildings Excludes industrial, production, processing, storage, public service, utility buildings Principal buildings: Window and door openings shall comprise at least 15 percent of the total area of exterior walls facing a public street New principal residential buildings: Window and door openings shall comprise at least ten (10) percent of the total area of all exterior walls Front: 17%  Total: 8%  Front: 15%  Total: 11%  The area of window & door openings

8. “Hold the corner” – clarified definition In pedestrian-oriented commercial districts …., new principal structures shall have a maximum setback of fifteen (15) feet from a commercial front lot line. At intersections, buildings shall “hold the corner,” that is, have street facades within fifteen (15) feet of the lot line along both streets, or the site plan shall have vertical structural elements that “hold the corner.” A primary entrance shall face a primary abutting public street.

9. Other ordinance amendments §63.110 Makes more flexible required screening of rooftop mechanical equipment (to allow for solar panels and other technologies) §61.402, §63.310, §63.316 Requires building elevations in site plan review Limits the extent of driveways in residential front yards Allow for pervious pavement for parking – brick, concrete, stone pavers Limits surface parking spaces as % of residential lot area §63.501 Requires residential off-street parking to access the alley (when available) Requires garage doors facing public streets to be set back at least as far as the principal structure