HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.4 Design Recognition Program~~~~ Off' nU~~~
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
CITY CLERK
File #470-50
February 21, 2012
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
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Joni Pattillo, City Manager ° ~'
Proposed Design Recognition Program
Prepared by Jeri Ram, Community Development Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider whether to establish an annual Design Recognition Program.
This new program would recognize those development projects that promote the City Council
goal of encouraging new projects to be of high quality design.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This program would have no financial impact to the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council consider and approve Staff's recommendations for the
program.
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Submitted By Reviewed By
Director of Community Development Assistant City Manager
DESCRIPTION:
The City Council approved a FY 2011-12 Strategic Initiative (Community Development -
Initiative A) to "Develop a Design Awards Program to recognize new and remodeled projects of
special quality." The intent of the program is to recognize those projects that best represent the
quality of design desired by the City Council. The public recognition of good design will help to
encourage all new development to strive for the best possible design solutions for their projects
consistent with the City's desire for quality.
In order to establish the Program, Staff is requesting direction in the following areas:
1. Categories:
Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. 8.4
Staff is recommending that the City Council establish two categories: residential and non-
residential. The residential projects could be either single-family or multi-family projects, and the
non-residential projects could include office, commercial or industrial projects.
2. Criteria:
The City Council has adopted a Mission, Vision, and Values. The adopted Values relating to
design within development projects are as follows:
"OUR VALUES IN GUIDING DEVELOPMENT
• Assure that development contributes positively to the City's fiscal health.
• Support pedestrian-friendly development, transit-oriented development, green building
and environmental responsiveness.
• Promote high-quality design and architectural standards in private development and in all
public facilities.
• Develop transportation systems that facilitate ease of movement throughout the City."
In addition, the City has adopted the Community Design and Sustainability Element of the City's
General Plan as well as several specific plans with design criteria. Staff believes that the City's
"Values in Guiding Development," as well as the design criteria identified above in italics, should
be the criteria for ranking the design worthiness of projects for the program.
Therefore, Staff recommends that one residential and one non-residential project be recognized
that best demonstrates excellence in meeting the criteria below:
• That the development is pedestrian-friendly.
• That the development demonstrates green building and environmental responsiveness.
• That the development utilizes high-quality design and architectural standards.
• That the development demonstrates that it meets the goals of the Community Design and
Sustainability Element of the General Plan.
• That the development demonstrates that it meets the design goals of any Specific Plan of
which it is a part.
3. Process:
A project would become eligible for inclusion in the Design Recognition Program at the time of
either Final Inspection (residential projects) or Certificate of Occupancy (commercial and
industrial projects). At the end of the fiscal year, Staff would present the top three projects for
the prior fiscal year (ranked by the criteria listed above) in each category to the Economic Ad
Hoc Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee would make a recommendation to the City Council for
the winner in each category. The City Council would review the recommendation of the
Economic Ad Hoc Committee and select the winner in each category in September of each
fiscal year. At the following City Council meeting, the City Council would present a plaque
honoring the winners for the design of their projects.
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NEXT STEPS:
Should the City Council approve the proposed Program, Staff will begin the outreach process to
the developers and businesses in the community. Staff will inform them in a variety of ways,
including announcements at the Developer's and Brokers Roundtables and at the project
meetings to help encourage good design. Anew City brochure will be prepared with
information on the Program and the criteria that will be used to award the recognition.
Distribution of the brochure will be given out as part of Staff's initial meeting with developers,
architects and brokers. Information on the Program will also be placed on the City's website.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Public noticing is not required.
ATTACHMENTS: None
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