Palos Verdes Estates Objective Design Standards

The City of Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) has traditionally relied on discretionary review to regulate multifamily and residential mixed-use projects. Due to recently passed State legislation, the City may only utilize quantifiable (yes/no) standards for ministerial projects of this type. As PVE has few existing zoning standards, the City desires to develop a more robust set of objective design standards (ODS). Working with De Novo Planning Group to develop PVE’s ODS, JKA’s responsibility is to develop ODS that foster the City’s natural setting and historic architectural character. To develop the design program, JKA first prepared an architec- tural conditions report that included findings from site tours, a study of built-form patterns and architectural styles, and review of existing documents. The firm then developed overarching design goals and objectives that foster Palos Verdes character in new projects.

Based upon analysis and input, JKA has developed a stand-alone ODS document and checklist that will supple- ment the existing zoning code. The visually rich document is broken into two themes with attendant measurable design standards. The first “Site and Massing,” addresses big picture building orientation and massing requirements and is based upon the analysis of best-practice built form patterns seen in the community. The second, “Architectural Style”, quantifies characteristics and details of the three most prevalent styles. Together the two themes help ensure that new projects relate directly to the context of their surrounds. With anticipated adoption in early 2025, the PVE ODS will provide more certainty for design outcomes that reflect community standards while facilitating the consis- tency and timeliness of staff review and response to housing project applicants.