Objective Design Standards (ODS) for Multi-Family Projects

Project Description

Recently, the Governor signed multiple housing bills which added Section 65913.4 to the Government Code. This provides for a streamlined, ministerial approval process for certain types of multi-unit and mixed-use residential housing projects (two or more residential units), subject to certain conditions and consistent with objective zoning and design review standards. In response, the City is creating objective design standards for applicable multi-unit housing projects. Community feedback will be incorporated into draft Objective Design Standards that will be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council later this year.

Project Update

The draft Objective Design Standards document is currently underway. A virtual workshop and developers' roundtable discussion was held on April 6th, 2023 (see below for details) to discuss current progress that builds on feedback received in 2021 and involved an interaction discussion focused on several key design and transitional elements. 

Meetings

Upcoming Meetings:

Planning Commission Study Session #2
Date: TBD
Time: TBD 

Past Meetings:

Community Workshop #2
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00 p.m.
Slide Show, Mural Board, Meeting Video

Developer Roundtable 
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Slide Show, Mural Board, Meeting Video

Planning Commission Study Session
Date: Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Video

Community Workshop
Date: Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Meeting Q&A, Mural Board, Meeting Video



City Contact Information

Laura Richstone
Associate Planner
(650) 522-7205
LRichstone@cityofsanmateo.org