SB 79 and South Pasadena
Objective Design Standards Walk & Talk:
During the March 14, 2026, walk & talk, we looked at buildings of different types. The consultants, who are contracted to help create our ODS, and community development staff pointed out features of the buildings.
Things I learned, in no particular order:
Objective Design Standards (ODS) are measurable.
They will not guarantee a great building but they will prevent bad ones.
Most people prefer facades with texture, where the facade goes in & out, rather than smooth ones. They also prefer ones with different colors, either through paint or materials.
Pedestrians get bored in about 30 feet and want something different to look at. This could be texture, a different material, different landscaping, etc. Buildings that are interesting to walk past promote walkability. Shade from awnings and trees also promote walkability.
Recessed windows or ones with thick frames add to texture while those with thin frames set flush to the wall do not.
Some people prefer a common area in their building while others do not and may prefer to use areas elsewhere in the city. Common areas tend to make the rent more expensive.
Different types of buildings and apartments need to be built. Residents' tastes and needs differ.
Putting the opening to the building's parking on an alley is desirable, because the opening is, of necessity, a large boring slot. It is possible to disguise the opening somewhat.
Screening the utility boxes and meters from view is desirable or locating them in an alley.
A building where the door to each apartment is accessible from the street creates good friction. A person walking by can imagine meeting a neighbor at one of the doors.
Also, this type of building needs a transition area between the door and the street, such as landscaping, a low barrier wall, a porch, etc.
A building where the upper floors are set back are more expensive, partly because of fewer units to rent but also because of needing to waterproof that area.
The consultants are not currently looking at creating ODS that are neighborhood-specific but may in the future.
Developer Fees:
A fee is charged in connection with approval of a development project for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the cost of public facilities related to the development project. Public facilities include public improvements, public services, and community amenities.
HCD Fees and Exactions: How to set, collect, and use fees. A lot of information as well as links.
Historic Resources:
From SB 79 Subsection 161: The plan shall not reduce the maximum allowed density..., except for Sites with a historic resource designated on a local register, so long as sites excluded...on that basis do not cumulatively exceed 10 percent of the eligible area of any transit-oriented development zone.
Objective Design Standards (ODS)
involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official and are uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the development applicant or proponent and the public official before submittal.
Approaches and Considerations for Objective Design Standards
Websites of Possible Interest:
Several large buildings, unconnected to SB 79, have already been approved to be built.
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