Community Input Invited on Multi-Family and Residential Mixed Use Objective Design and Development Standards
For immediate release: September 6, 2023
Contact: Community Development Department – Planning Division, planning@fostercity.org, (650) 286-3225
The City of Foster City is seeking further public feedback on the Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) draft ordinance. The draft ordinance, supplemental documents, and feedback form are available at the following webpage: https://engagefostercity.org/objective-design-and-development-standards. Community members are invited to review the draft ordinance and provide feedback by Monday, September 25.
This initiative is important because recent state laws such as Senate Bill (SB) 35 and SB 330 have limited a local jurisdiction’s ability to apply subjective design standards for qualifying housing projects, and local jurisdictions can now only rely on the application of objective design standards for these projects. Objective design standards are those that do not involve personal or subjective judgment.
ODDS outreach began in 2021, marked by two public study sessions on July 15, 2021, and October 21, 2021. In addition, community feedback was also solicited through the Urban Design Data Walk. Community input shaped the City’s direction, leading to the creation of a comprehensive draft ordinance. Most recently, the Planning Commission held a Study Session on August 17, 2023, to review the City’s draft ODDS ordinance. A video of the presentation and Planning Commission discussion is available: https://fostercity.new.swagit.com/videos/269591?ts=3548.
Once the current round of community outreach has completed, staff will prepare revisions to the draft ordinance for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council prior to adoption. The new regulations will be applicable to projects that are submitted on or after the date the new ordinance takes effect (30 days after the second hearing by the City Council). Please direct questions or comments to the Planning Division at planning@fostercity.org. Remember to include “ODDS” in the subject line.
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