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Design Review The City's discretionary design review process is outlined in Chapter 18.20 of the Municipal Code. The purpose of the design review is to enhance Pleasanton's aesthetic values and ensure the preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare. Thresholds for design review authority are established for review by either the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission. Generally, all models (for a production home project), custom single-family homes, and single-family home additions over 10 feet in height are reviewed by the Zoning Administrator. All new improvements and structures, except those in the PUD Zoning District, are reviewed by the Planning Commission. Therefore, all multi -family and mixed-use developments would require Planning Commission approval, unless City Council approval was required through the PUD process. The review authority must consider various criteria prior to approval of a design review application, including: • Preservation of the natural beauty of the city and the project site's relationship to it. • Appropriate relationship of the proposed building and its site to adjoining areas, including compatibility of architectural styles, harmony in adjoining buildings, attractive landscape transitions, and consistency with neighborhood character. • Preservation of views enjoyed by residents, workers within the city, and passersby through the community. Similar to the analysis of Design Standards and Guidelines, the subjectivity of design review criteria could lead to a protracted approval process and potentially a denial based on interpretation. Currently, Senate Bill 330 (Housing Accountability Act) precludes jurisdictions from applying subjective design standards to housing development projects; however, in the future when provisions of Senate Bill 330 sunset on January 1, 2025 (unless otherwise extended by the State), the City should consider revising the design review criteria to reduce subjectivity to the maximum extent feasible. As noted, the City is in the process of developing updated and expanded design standards and guidelines for residential development, in order to reduce subjectivity in the design review process. Conditional Use Permit Certain housing types require conditional use permits (see Table C-6). The City's conditional use permit process is described in Chapter 18.124. Planning Commission is the review authority for conditional use permits, and must make the following findings before approving a conditional use permit: • The proposed location of the use is in accordance with the objectives of the zoning ordinance and the purposes of the district in which the site is located. • The proposed location of the use and the conditions under which it would be operated or maintained will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurious to the properties or improvements in the vicinity. C-28 I City of Pleasanton Housing Constraints