Sierra Madre council approves first reading of objective design standards ordinance

Sierra Madre — The City Council on June 9 approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1495, which would add Chapter 1750 to the municipal code and adopt objective design standards (ODS) intended to make design review for multifamily and mixed‑use development verifiable and defensible under state law.

Assistant Planner Hang told the council the text amendment and new chapter are intended to "provide a clear consistent and objective framework for design review of multifamily and mixed‑use developments" and noted the initiative was funded through a regional SCAG REAP 2.0 grant that requires the ordinance be adopted by the end of June.

The consultant presenting the standards, Mr. Burns of the Royal Group, framed the change as largely driven by state housing laws. "The Housing Crisis Act, SB330 … says that a project cannot be denied through discretionary review unless that it is incompliant with an objectively written standard," Burns told the council, summarizing the legal constraint that prompted the ODS work. Burns also described how streamlined ministerial approval pathways under SB423 (formerly listed under other streamline statutes) require design review to be based solely on objective standards for projects that qualify.

The standards are organized by topic — site planning and access; building modulation and articulation; materials, finishes and color; frontages; open space; entries; exterior lighting; walls and fences; and loading, trash and utilities — and distinguish between "house‑scale" residential zones and "block‑scale" mixed‑use areas. Burns said the ODS document includes intent statements, numbered objective standards and supporting diagrams and also includes a limited flexibility provision allowing a reviewing authority to approve up to three exceptions if a project still meets the general intent.

Council and staff emphasized that objective standards enable the city to make explicit findings when denying a project, rather than relying on subjective design findings that state law restricts. Multiple council members and the planning commission chair praised the regional approach and the planning commission's extensive review work.

Assistant Planner Hang said the first reading was approved and a second reading is scheduled for June 23. If adopted, the ODS would be incorporated into Title 17 and used in Sierra Madre's design review processes, including planning commission review, modified staff‑level review for certain zones and streamlined ministerial review where state law requires objective standards to be the only basis for review.

What happens next: The council will return for a second reading and potential adoption on June 23. Staff will continue to refine the ODS living document and maintain a change log for future amendments.