Booklet: Pacific Palisades Specific Plan & Design Guidelines

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE

PACIFIC PALISADES VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN AND DESIGN GUIDELINES

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades

A PROPOSAL BY Jane Chan Vicente Romero Zachary Andrews

Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades

UP 219 WINTER 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Principles.............4 Concept and Purpose........5 Frameworks.......................6 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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Aerial Photograph........................ 6 Figure Ground............................... 7 Zoning and Standards................ 8 Perception Analysis...................... 9 Opportunities & Constraints..... 10 Vision............................................... 11 Street sections...............................12 Paseo & Parking Concepts.........13

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Specific Plan and Design Guidelines........................... 14 Section 1.

Section 2.

Section 3 Section 4.

Section 5.

Section 6.

Section 7.

Section 8.

Section 9.

Section 10.

Section 11.

Section 12.

Section 13.

Section 14.

Section 15.

Section 16.

Establishment of the Pacific Palisades Village Specific Plan...............................14 Purposes.........................................................................................................................14 Relationship to Other Provisions of the Municipal Code...................................15 Definitions......................................................................................................................16 Prohibitions and Exceptions......................................................................................17 Land Use.........................................................................................................................18 Height and Massing.....................................................................................................20 Floor Area Ratio and Setbacks..................................................................................21 Parking............................................................................................................................22 Utilities..........................................................................................................................24 Landscaping................................................................................................................25 Circulation....................................................................................................................31 Building Design...........................................................................................................34 Sustainability................................................................................................................37 Signs..............................................................................................................................39 Design Review.............................................................................................................41

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General Principles for a sustainable development of the Village 1. Fit the Character of the Pacific Palisades: compact, pedestrian friendly, commercial Village, and appropriate to the historic patterns and Spanish architecture related to the community character.

2. Commercial Core: Swarthmore Avenue and the adjacent retail area are the center of commercial activity in the Village. A network of inner pedestrian paths will tie the core to the surrounding activity nodes.

3. Sustainability: reducing dependence on the automobile by providing for pedestrian access and circulation, fostering energy efficiency as well as preservation and connections to the surrounding landscape (the canyons).

4. Appropriate Density: in order to maintain the essential “isolated� and peaceful character, the density of development should remain similar to the current one, allowing for denser development only at the intersections with Sunset Boulevard in the Village.

5. Organized by Public Space: the Village should be organized around the public space of streets, the Village Green, the peripheral canyons, and other open space areas to develop in Swarthmore and the adjacent areas.

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The Pacific Palisades Village Vision Concept/Statement: The Pacific Palisades was imagined as a village in tune with nature, designed at the human scale, for a community of historically like-minded residents. While the forces of time and development may have altered the landscape of the Palisades, the original vision remains in the conscience of the community. The surrounding canyons, the peaceful yet vibrant Village, and the residents’ commitment to seeing their community succeed are defining concepts of this vision. These concepts are reflected in the updated Pacific Palisades Village Specific Plan. This updated Plan lays out a clear and decisive set of land use policies and guidelines to ensure that the core community values of low density, local serving commercial uses, and human scale are preserved in perpetuity. Additionally, the Specific Plan proposes a comprehensive set of landscape and pedestrian friendly guidelines to facilitate the walkable “Main Street” and “Village Square” notion that we, and members of community, have envisioned.

Purpose of this document: The Pacific Palisades Village Specific Plan reinforces its local serving commercial character, preserves the parking zones, and limits the residential uses to its borders. It enhances and defines the aesthetic qualities of development, promotes pedestrian-friendly environments, and highlights the unique location of the Village “between canyons” and along the historic Sunset Boulevard. It also stipulates that preservation of Pacific Palisades’ character and scale, including its traditional urban design form, and Santa Barbara or Spanish Revival architectural style shall be given the highest priority in consideration of future development. To achieve these goals, the Specific Plan proposes the following urban development standards and urban design guidelines for the Village.

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FRAMEWORK 1. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH men Monu

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FRAMEWORK 2. FIGURE GROUND men Monu

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FRAMEWORK 3. ZONING & STANDARDS men Monu

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FRAMEWORK 4. PERCEPTION ANALYSIS men Monu

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FRAMEWORK 5. OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS men Monu

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OPPORTUNITIES Pedestrian environment

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FRAMEWORK 6. VISION MAP g

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FRAMEWORK 7. STREET SECTIONS

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FRAMEWORK 8. PASEO & PARKING CONCEPTS

Swarthmore Avenue Paseo Concept Pacific Palisades Specific Plan

Parking Area Concept Pacific Palisades Specific Plan

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Section 1

Establishment of the Pacific Palisades Village Specific Plan

The City Council hereby establishes this Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan applicable to those areas of the City of Los Angeles shown within the shaded area on Frameworks 1 and 2.

Section 2

surroundings, traffic circulation impacts or their environmental setting;

Purposes

G. To adequately buffer all new development from nearby residential uses, to the greatest extent feasible;

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H. To assure that the character of Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway conforms to the character of the Commercial Village and Neighborhoods because, although Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway are links in the regional circulation system which is and always will be used by through commuter traffic, it is also “the front yards� of the Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods and critical route for local vehicular and pedestrian traffic;

A. To assure that the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods continue to function as significant commercial areas in the Pacific Palisades and that any future development is compatible with the surrounding residential community, the character of the commercial areas and the capacity of the circulation system as defined in the District Plan;

each of the Specific Plan Areas through block signs, promotion banners and symbol signs;

B. To enhance the aesthetic qualities of development, protect the low intensity, community-oriented uses and preserve the individual qualities of the areas;

E. To provide guidelines and a process for review and approval of exterior and site design, renovations, signs for buildings and structures and other developments;

C. To enhance the pedestrian-orientation of the business centers by reducing the size and location of signs within the Specific Plan Area; by promoting design coordination between a building or structure and its use; by removing temporary signs and clutter; by enhancing windows as display areas for merchandise; and by unifying the characteristics of

F. To promote orderly, attractive and harmonious development, minimize environmental effects of development, stabilize land values and investments and promote the general welfare by J. To preserve all land presently zoned for parking prohibiting buildings, structures or uses which are uses in parking zones. inconsistent with the purposes or standards of this Specific Plan or which are inappropriate to their sites,

D. To assure that the commercial uses are consistent with the general character of the Pacific Palisades community, which consists of single-family residences, some multiple residential structures and significant open space and park-like development;

I. To assure that development along Sunset Boulevard incorporates design characteristics that provide a unifying element to the Commercial Village and to each Neighborhood and enhances their status as scenic highways while providing a beautifying element to the Commercial Village and Neighborhoods through landscaping and other means;

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Section 3

Relationship to other provisions of the municipal code

A. The regulations of this Specific Plan are in addition to those set forth in regulations of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) and do not convey any rights not otherwise granted under such other provisions, except as specially provided herein.

B. Wherever this Specific Plan contains regulations which conflict with regulations contained in LAMC Chapter 1, the Specific Plan shall prevail and supersede the applicable provisions of that Code in-

cluding those regulations contained in the Mini-mall regulation, Ordinance No. 164,201, and the Site Plan Review regulations, Ordinance No. 164,951.

Procedures for the granting of exceptions to the requirements of this Specific Plan are established in LAMC Section 11.5.7 D. In approving an exception to this Specific Plan, pursuant to Section 11.5.7 D, the City Planning Commission and the City Council on appeal may simultaneously approve any conditional use under their jurisdiction. Only one fee shall be required for joint applications.

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Section 4

Sandwich Sign: A small, portable sign consisting of two sign faces connecting at the top and extending outward at the bottom of the sign and which is usually placed on a sidewalk or similar area.

Definitions

Scenic Corridor: Any lot within the Specific Plan Area having a lot line contiguous to either Sunset Boulevard or Pacific Coast Highway.

The following terms when used in this Specific Plan shall be construed as defined in this Section. Words and phrases not defined herein shall be construed as defined in LAMC Sections 12.03, 91.0403 and 91.6203, if defined therein.

Animated Sign: A sign which flashes or creates action, motion, or color changes requiring electrical, electronic or manufactured sources of energy supply.

Ground Floor Retail: The sale of commodities to the Specific Plan Area: Those areas shown within the heavy black lines on the maps in this Ordinance (Frapublic (as distinguished from wholesale sales not available to the public) and the provision of services, meworks 1 through 6). located on the ground floor of a building.

Supermarket: A retail store which has a floor area equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet and which Identification Sign - Commercial Village and sells an assortment of foods, as well as items for Neighborhoods: A sign at the entrance or exit of food preparation, household cleaning and personal any of the Pacific Palisades Commercial Village or care.

Neighborhoods’ business districts.

Maps: The maps contained in this Ordinance (Frameworks 1 through 6).

Bench Sign: A sign painted on or otherwise attached to the back support or other portion of a public bench.

Medical and/or Dental Building: Any building or structure in which more than 30 percent of the floor Block Directory Sign: A sign which lists all busines- area is devoted to the examination, diagnosis or ses for one side of all or part of a block. treatment of physical or psychological disorders of out-patients.

Directional Sign: A sign designed to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Personal Services: Needed services provided to the public related to home, health or family such as dry Financially-Oriented Services: Financial or real cleaners, shoe repair and pharmacy and not incluestate services provided to the public, including ding Financially-Oriented Services. but not limited to those offered by banks, savings and loan associations, thrift associations, real estate Project: The construction, erection, addition to or offices, insurance companies, brokerage firms and structural alteration of any building or structure, escrow offices. a use of land or change of use on a lot located in whole or in part within the Specific Plan Area which Ground Floor: The lowest story within a building requires the issuance of a building permit, change of which is accessible from the street, the floor level use permit or sign permit. A Project does not include of which is within three feet above or below curb a one-family dwelling or any interior remodeling of level, which has frontage on or is primarily facing any any building or structure, so long as the remodeling public street, and which is at least 30 feet in depth or does not include a new use which is prohibited by the total depth of a building, whichever is less.

Section 6 of this Specific Plan.

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Symbol Sign: A wooden sign attached to a wall or projecting from a wall identifying a use or service located on the site by symbol rather than words.

Temporary Sign: A sign posted for a limited duration, not to exceed 180 days, including paper signs and other signs that are not permanently affixed to the ground or building.

Village: The area shown within the dashed yellow lines on Frameworks 1 and 2.

Window Sign: Any sign painted on or affixed to the transparent or translucent surface of a window or door and which is visible from outside the building or structure.

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Section 5

Prohibitions and Exceptions

A. Prohibitions. No building permit shall be issued for any Project unless the Project meets the requirements of Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this Specific Plan as determined by the Department of Building and Safety and also meets the requirements of Sections 12, 13, and 14 of this Specific Plan as determined by the Director of Planning.

b.

In order to rebuild as a result of destruction by fire, earthquake or other natural disaster, provided that the construction is not prohibited by any provision of the Los Angeles Municipal Code and the rebuilding does not increase the height or floor area of the destroyed building.

2.

The provisions of this Ordinance shall not apply to the issuance of a building permit for a ProB. Exceptions ject for which (a) architectural and structural plans sufficient for a complete plan check were accepted 1.

The provisions of this Ordinance shall not by the Department of Building and Safety on or apply to any construction for which a building permit before August 15, 1992; (b) a plan check fee was is required: collected on or before August 15, 1992; and (c) no subsequent changes are made to those plans which a.

In order to comply with any order issued by increase the height or floor area by more than five percent. the Department of Building and Safety to repair an unsafe or substandard condition; or

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Section 6

Land Use

Goal: To maintain the character of a true commercial village with consistent and contiguous commercial uses. To ensure that incompatible uses are prohibited or phased out.

General Considerations: Residential, drive through, and gas station uses are inherently incompatible with a successful “main street” style commercial core. Similarly, large Gas stations should be 5,000 feet apart from scale or national commercial entities are contrary to the existing character of the Village. each other

STANDARDS Standard 1: In the Village, lots zoned C2 may be used for gas stations and all other uses permitted in the C4 Zone.

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drive-in businesses in the Village;

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motels;

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trade schools and universities.

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Standard 4: Each building in the Village shall have a Ground Floor. Ground Floor Retail uses shall occupy at least 75 percent of the linear frontage of the building along a public street in the Village. Day care Standard 3: The following uses shall be prohibited in and elementary school uses on the Ground Floor are exempt from this Ground Floor Retail requirement. the Specific Plan Area: Standard 2: Where permitted, gas stations shall not occupy the same side of the street within 5,000 feet of another gas station.

• automobile, recreational vehicle or bus-related uses, including automobile wash racks, used automobile and trailer sales, tire and battery servicing; • wholesale or retail businesses, except supermarkets, with a gross floor area of 2,500 square feet or more;

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Each building in the Commercial Village shall have a Ground Floor. Retail is encouraged

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GUIDELINES Guideline 1: Theater and family entertainment uses (i.e. theater, ice skating rink, museum) are encouraged to be located near Sunset Boulevard intersections in the Village and adjacent to existing public amenities.

Guideline 2: Boutique hotels shall be permitted within the Village in compliance with the policy requirements of the Specific Plan.

Guideline 3: Buildings on corner parcels should be designed to positively define and frame the public realm on both streets they front.

Guideline 4: The adaptive reuse of existing historic or potentially historic, architecturally significant, and/ or culturally significant buildings is encouraged in conformance with the preservation requirements of this Specific Plan.

Guideline 5: Buildings on lots adjacent to historic structures of significant public buildings shall be designed in a manner that safeguards their prominence and integrity.

Guideline 6: When an alley is present, it should be enhanced as a “woonerf� or a living street where pedestrians and cyclists have legal priority over motorists. Plantings and decorative paving along alley should be used to provide visual interest.

Theater and family entertainment uses are encouraged in the intersections with Sunset

Alleyway with active businesses and pedestrian access

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Section 7

Height and Massing

Goal: To maintain the current height characteristics of the Village and ensure a consistent and coherent aesthetic that relates to the human scale.

General Considerations: Adjacent uses should be taken into account when considering rooflines and massing. Consistent and visually pleasing sight lines should be maintained through the Village. Existing scenic views contribute to the Village character and shall Buildings should conform to the human and pedestrian scale be preserved or incorporated into project design.

STANDARDS

GUIDELINES

Standard 1: Notwithstanding LAMC Section 12.21.1 B 3, no Project located in whole or in part within the Specific Plan Area shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height.

Guideline 1: Existing massing and open space patterns should be followed.

Standard 2: No Project shall exceed 27 feet in height, as measured from grade to the ceiling of the Project’s upper story.

Standard 3: On lots greater than one half acre, the division of the project into two or more separate buildings of different density, height, and massing is required. Family and entertainment uses shall be exempt from this requirement.

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Guideline 2: Second floors should be set back from the first floor in areas of heavy pedestrian use in order to facilitate human scaled pedestrian environments.

Guideline 3: Buildings should be scaled to respond to their context by sensitively and positively addressing the scale and massing of their adjacent neighbors.

Guideline 4: The massing of projects on combined lots should be broken down into increments that relate to surrounding buildings.

When utilizing two stories, building should be of similar scale to those around them

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Section 8

Floor Area Ratio and Setbacks

Goal: To ensure the adherence to the human scale of buildings in the Village while maintaining the viability of local serving commercial businesses. To activate the pedestrian streetscape by creating a visually inviting and stimulating intersection between commercial buildings and public space.

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General Considerations: When determining orientation and layout of building sites, 75% of commercial setbacks shall be landscaped open space and openness to the street should be considered. a commitment to inviting and visually attractive storefronts is a benefit to both the community and the success of commercial businesses.

STANDARDS Standard 1: The FAR of any Project located in whole or in part within the Village shall not exceed 0.75:1.

Gross lot area may be used to calculate allowable floor area ratio for any project in the Village.

Standard 2: Any Project on a lot or lots located in whole or in part within the Specific Plan Area shall have a minimum setback of 2 feet from the sidewalk.

GUIDELINES Guideline 1: Buildings should be placed on their sites with consideration for open space, space between buildings, and consideration for pedestrian circulation.

Guideline 2: Buildings in complexes should be clustered.

Guideline 3: Entrances and facades should be oriented toward the street.

Guideline 4: Entrances to buildings at street intersections should face the intersection.

Guideline 5: Building placement and orientation should optimize usable public space and visible landscaped areas.

Guideline 6: 75% of setback area shall include landscaping, seating, or other pedestrian amenities consistent with the Village character. Landscaping shall consist of drought tolerant or native plant species.

Guideline 7: Setback landscaping along commercial streets is encouraged to create a “green corridor� pedestrian environment with visually distinctive qualities. This landscaping should be continuous and coordinated with that of existing neighboring setback areas.

Guideline 8: Walkways, rooftops, setbacks, and the required 15 percent parking area landscaping shall not to be considered in the open space requirements for a project in the Specific Plan Area.

Commercial businesses are encouraged to make their store fronts as inviting as possible

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Section 9

Parking

Goal: Parking should be readily available, easily located, and complementary to the aesthetic and pedestrian qualities of the Village. Parking areas should facilitate and contribute to the Village’s core values and commercial viability General Considerations: Wayfinding is a critical element to a successful district-wide parking strategy. The amount of time spent searching for parking should be reduced Parking lots should be landscaped and clearly through an adaptive metered parking system and thoughtfully designed wayfinding signa- define pedestrian paths ge. Surface parking lot landscaping should be designed to mitigate the heat island effect and capture stormwater.

STANDARDS A. PARKING Standard A1: The Village shall be supported by a comprehensive managed parking system fostering coordination and cooperation among businesses in order to address parking needs in a collaborative manner. It shall consist of on-street parking prohibitions to restrict parking during certain hours of the day and the establishment of a metered parking system. Parking meters provide an effective tool to encourage drivers to keep parking as short as possible. Longer term parking is available in the Village’s lots. Parking meter revenue will be reinvested in the Village and in the Pacific Palisades to maintain the streets, sidewalks and alleys; to provide new signs, lighting, and pedestrian-friendly pathways; as well as to pay for services, activities and programs for the community.

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Standard A2: Prior to the issuance of a design review approval by the Director of Planning, the applicant shall submit plans to the Department of

Transportation for its review as to the adequacy of the design of parking lots, their relationship to the buildings or structures they serve and the number and placement of driveways.

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Standard A7: Notwithstanding LAMC Section 12.21.1 B 3, no parking building shall exceed a height of 30 feet or 2 stories. Whenever a second story is provided, it shall have a setback of an additional ten feet from the perimeter of the first story.

Standard A3: Left turns from or into driveways providing access to Sunset Boulevard shall be minimized B. OFF-SITE PARKING as determined by the Department of Transportation in accordance with LAMC Section 80.14.

Standard B1: Notwithstanding the distance limitations set forth in LAMC Section 12.21 A 4 (g), Standard A4: Wherever possible, driveway access required parking may be provided anywhere within shall be from any street or alley, other than from the Specific Plan Area, so long as the Director of Sunset Boulevard.

Planning and the Department of Transportation have approved the off-site parking. However, the following Standard A5: Parking lot landscaping shall include regulations shall apply: shade producing trees providing a shade canopy covering no less than 50 percent of the parking lot.

• The off-site parking shall comply with the requirements of Section 10 B of this Specific Plan.

Standard A6: Surface parking lots that are visible from the street shall be screened by landscaping.

• The off-site parking shall comprise no more than Landscaping and large canopy trees should be used 50 percent of the number of required parking to minimize the urban heat island effect caused by spaces. surface paving.

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Standard B2: Off-site parking shall be subject of shared parking practices since family entertainment and educational uses have a different schedule than commercial uses.

Standard B3: New projects shall be conditioned for their employees to park in designated long term parking lots.

Standard B4: Width of driveways and related curb cuts shall be minimized when it is necessary to access parking from the street.

C. Bicycle Parking Standard C1: Notwithstanding LAMC Section 12.21 A 16, bicycle parking in conformance with the Specific Plan requirements shall be provided for all Projects consisting of new buildings or structures or additions to existing buildings where the additions add more than 500 square feet of floor area.

Standard C2: Bicycle parking shall be provided with surface parking lots at a rate of one bicycle stall per 10 vehicle spaces. Bicycle parking shall be located near perimeters of parking areas and protected from vehicular travel lanes. These bicycle parking spaces shall be located within 50 feet of each building’s main entries and not within the sidewalk right-ofway.

GUIDELINES A. PARKING Guideline A1: Parking facilities should be integrated and consistent with the design of adjacent buildings.

Guideline A2: 15 percent of surface parking areas shall consist of permeable drought tolerant landscaping to facilitate groundwater recharge. Landscaping shall be designed to facilitate pedestrian wayfinding and safety within parking areas. All new proposed parking lots must include a landscape plan when submitted for review.

Guideline A3: Multi-level parking areas shall be constructed underground when feasible.

Guideline A4: New parking areas should be in the rear or at the side of a site and designed with a visual buffer of landscaping that conforms to the standards and guidelines of the Specific Plan.

Guideline A5: The design of underground, covered, and rooftop parking areas should promote safe and convenient vehicle and pedestrian access and interaction, incorporate open areas (e.g., landscaped openings to other levels), and sufficient lighting.

Guideline A6: Shade producing trees should be planted on both the periphery of a parking lot and on planting strips between parking stalls. The interstices between trees in the planting strips should be covered by a combination of softscape and hardscape consistent with the Specific Plan and the Specific Plan Design Guidelines.

Guideline A7: When an alley is present, parking should be accessed from the alley with attention given to potential pedestrian/vehicle conflict. Signage and the use of bollards and landscaping shall be implemented to prevent these conflicts.

Guideline A8: Continuity of the sidewalk should be kept by minimizing the number of curb cuts. Curb cuts should be located in a manner that does not reduce on-street parking.

C. Bicycle Parking Guideline B1: Bicycle parking for commercial uses should be conveniently located within the sidewalk or front courtyard. Placement of bike racks should be carefully considered to minimize conflicts with pedestrian travel.

Standard C3: Visitor and customer bicycle racks should be positioned in areas with active visual surveillance and night lighting, and protected from damage from nearby vehicles.

Parking areas shall consist of permeable drought tolerant landscaping to facilitate groundwater recharge.

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Section 10 Utilities

Goal: Utilities, while necessary, should not detract from the aesthetic qualities of the Village.

General Considerations: To the degree feasible, utilities should be designed to blend into or disappear from the urban landscape.

STANDARDS

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Disguising utilities with landscaping is encouraged

Standard 1: When an alley is present, utility access and services such as back flow preventers, transformer boxes, gas and electric meters, and other utilities shall be placed in and accessed from the alley, subject to the requirements and approval of the associated utility company. When an alley is not present, these services should be located in inconspicuous locations on the sides of lots and should be thoroughly screened from public view.

Standard 2: Utilities required to be in front yards shall be located directly next to buildings or walls, as close to side yards as possible, and screened from the view of the street by landscape.

Standard 3: Noise- and/or odor-generating equipment and/or containers shall be located in areas that will not create a nuisance to adjacent properties.

Services and garbage bins should be located in a manner that protects the integrity of their surroundings.

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Exposed utilities should be avoided in the Village

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Section 11 Landscaping

Goal: The primary goals of the landscape standards and guidelines are to create well designed landscapes and streetscapes which enhance the quality of other forms of design, as well as to engage citizens and community groups in the shaping and creation of public art.

Landscape proposals should be evaluated by their design quality, context sensitivity, and code adherence.

General Considerations: Landscaped areas are an integral part of planning and design. Material used in landscaping should be appropriate to overall project design and local context. Landscaping plans should be prepared by qualified landscape architects and designers with the help of local neighbors that are the recipients of the final product. Art work can engage with the surrounding environment to create, enrich, or reveal a sense of place, and to express the spirit, values, and visions that collectively define the Pacific Palisades.

STANDARDS A. SOFTSCAPE Standard A1: Street trees shall conform to the City’s street tree requirements and shall be approved by the Department of Public Works and the Director of Planning. Unless determined to be infeasible by the Department of Public Works, street trees shall be placed at least 30 feet apart and no more than ten feet from the curb. The minimum size for street trees shall be ten feet in height and 2 inches in diameter.

Standard A2: Plant selection must be in compliance with the Los Angeles Xeriscape Ordinance specifications, the Los Angeles Landscape Ordinance, the Water Conservation Ordinance, the Low Impact Development Ordinance, and other citywide landscaping ordinances.

Barren streetscapes are contrary to the ideal of a vibrant pedestrian village

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Water features, pedestrian seating, and inviting landscaping are encouraged

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Standard A3: All planting shall be accomplished in accordance with the guidelines established by the City Planning Commission.

Standard A4: All Developments and Redevelopments shall implement LID Best Management Practices alternatives identified in the Development Best Management Practices Handbook such as rain barrels, ADA compliant permeable pavement, planter boxes, rain gardens or dry wells, among others.

Standard A5: There shall be a buffer of plant material satisfactory to the Director of Planning wherever a commercially zoned lot is adjacent to or abutting the side or rear yard of a residentially zoned or residentially used lot within the Specific Plan Area.

The plant material shall be maintained to a height not exceeding eight feet and shall not be less than 6 feet at maturity. If a plant material is not feasible for

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the buffer as determined by the Director of Planning, then a 6-foot high decorative masonry wall shall be utilized as a buffer.

Standard B6: Walls and fences shall be decorative and materials compatible with the architectural style of associated structures.

Standard A6: A landscaped buffer shall also be provided between parking buildings/areas and adjacent residential areas.

Standard B7: Chain link or other industrial type fencing materials are prohibited unless they are an integral and suitable part of the overall design.

Standard A7: It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain all landscape and hardscape features located on private property, including, but not limited to, plant material, signs, walkways, benches and fountains.

Standard B8: Plants adapted to the local climate, soil, and hydrology shall be used to reduce the need for irrigation.

Standard A8: All fabricated features shall be maintained in good condition both in structural integrity and cosmetic appearance.

Standard C1: Automatic irrigation systems shall be installed in all new landscaped areas for proper growth and maintenance. Systems shall be inspected regularly for proper operation and maintenance.

Standard A9: All vegetation shall be watered, fertilized, trimmed and maintained in a good condition.

B. HARDSCAPE Standard B1: Where plants do not flourish, other materials shall be used and well maintained: wood, brick, stone, gravel, cobbles, or pebbles..

Standard B2: To augment plantings, low maintenance ‘’hardscape,” such as decorative walls, fences, trellises, water features, sculptures, and decorative rockscapes shall be included.

Standard B3: Hardscape materials used in landscape schemes shall be durable, easy to maintain, and compatible with the architectural theme of the Village.

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C. MAINTENANCE

Long crosswalks are discouraged as they increase vehicle/pedestrian conflicts

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Standard C2: All landscaped areas shall be maintained in good condition, with necessary watering, feeding, pruning, pest removal, plant replacement, and cleaning done at regular intervals.

Standard C3: Landscaped areas should be kept free of debris and waste.

Standard C3: Captured rainfall through LID practices shall be stored during rain events and used for irrigation purposes at a later time.

D. Compatibility Standard D1: Landscape shall form a coherent whole at each site and within the Village area.

Standard D2: Landscape shall be compatible with Standard B4: Large areas of unbroken plain concrete site, buildings, location, and use. are prohibited.

Standard D3: Landscaping shall form smooth transiStandard B5: Paved areas shall be interspersed with tions with and be compatible with neighboring sites contrasting permeable paving materials or with nati- and with utility poles and lines. ve plant materials.

Standard D4: Landscape materials shall not block a site’s or building’s solar access or view angles.

Shielded LED light sources producing a soft glow of light

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Planted areas serve to separate pedestrians from vehicle in parking lots

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Standard E2: Side yard areas shall be landscaped using plant materials similar to those used in the front yard of a project. Where side yards include entrances to buildings or structures, the entrances shall be subject to Standard E1 above.

and throughout the premises.

Standard E3: Metal awnings attached to any part of a building or structure are prohibited.

G. Landscape of Parking Areas

Standard E4: Metal bars at the front of any window are prohibited unless approved by the Director of Planning, after recommendations, if any, from the Design Review Board. Metal bars shall only be located on the inside of a window and only when permitted under the City’s building and fire codes.

Standard E5: Landscape type and amount should be proportional to building size and scale.

Standard E6: Use of landscape to screen commercial use from residential is required.

F. Landscape of Sites Standard F1: All unused open areas shall be landscaped. This should include any roof of subterranean parking buildings or structures, parking areas, recreational facilities courtyards, or areas adjacent to walkways.

Planted curbs capture stormwater and beautify the streetscape

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E. Landscape of Buildings Standard E1: Landscaping which includes grouping of plant materials, consisting of small trees, shrubs, planter boxes or tubs of flowers, shall be placed at entrances to courtyards and along walkways and setbacks.

Standard F2: 20% of open space shall be landscaped. Open space includes all areas outside of a building’s drip line, as well as immediately adjacent areas with sufficient natural light to sustain plants.

Standard F3: Landscape shade and screening is required for parking areas.

Standard F4: Storage areas, trash containers, and utilities (including ventilation, heating or air conditioning ducts, tube and piping, and other equipment) shall be adequately screened with landscape or architectural buffers.

Standard F5: Service and gas stations shall be landscaped around their perimeter, along street frontages,

Standard F6: Open space shall not be sunken, or separated from the street by walls, but face the buildings and complement existing pedestrian uses.

Standard G1: At least 15 percent of the total area of an at-grade, open parking lot within the Specific Plan Area shall be landscaped with plant material, and at least half of the landscaped area shall be planted with shade-producing trees no less than 10 feet in height at planting.

Standard G2: Landscaping, visible from the street, shall be provided on each floor of a parking building to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning.

H. Lighting and Utilities Standard H1: Aesthetic lighting is required, such as shielded light sources producing a soft glow of light Standard H2: Lighting shall not produce glare, spillover, or shine on surrounding areas, especially if they are residential.

Standard H3: Unobtrusive accent lighting shall match the scale and the style of the building.

Guideline H4: All parking areas and pedestrian walkways shall be illuminated to improve safety.

I. Automobiles Standard I1: The location and width of driveways shall be determined by expected use, pedestrian traffic, proximity of residences, and site size.

Standard I2: For safety purposes, private driveway pedestrian crossing areas shall be painted with highly visible paint or paved.

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GUIDELINES A. Softscape Guideline A1: Seasonal plants are strongly discouraged, but when used seasonal plants should be replaced 3-4 times a year to maintain well-groomed planting areas and containers.

Guideline B2: Acceptable paving materials include permeable pavements, modular paving system (concrete pavers, modular grass or gravel grids) or poured‐in‐place pavement (porous concrete, permeable asphalt), and cobblestone.

Guideline D3: Landscaping should be used to create shade where needed.

C. Maintenance

Guideline D5: Open space should be furnished with benches, trash receptacles, planter boxes, and other outdoor furniture.

Guideline A2: Shrubs and trees should be pruned appropriately for location and purpose. Natural, spreading forms and canopies are generally encouraged, while rigid forms and highly sculpted shapes are generally discouraged.

Guideline C1: Dead flowers should be removed regularly and dead plants replaced. Weeding and feeding schedules should be consistently maintained.

B. Hardscape

Guideline D1: The proportions, scale, colors, and textures of plants and built material should combine well.

D. Compatibility

Guideline B1: Patterned paving and special permeable paving materials are encouraged wherever appropriate in order to emphasize entries, pedestrian Guideline D2: Wherever possible, natural topograactivities and places of special interest. phy and existing landscape should be preserved.

Guideline D4: Landscape materials should be used as a windbreak where needed.

Guideline D6: Restaurants are encouraged to provide outdoor dining to activate the commercial streetscape.

E. Landscape of Buildings Guideline E1: Landscaping should be used to highlight important architectural features.

Guideline E2: Plantings which create interesting shadow ‘’play’’ or patterns are encouraged.

Guideline E3: Vegetation should be selected to visually reduce paved areas and integrate building to pavement.

Guideline E4: Landscaping within setbacks facing streets is encouraged to create a “green corridor” effect.

Guideline E5: Cascading plants, flower boxes, and vines are suggested for landscaping upper stories of buildings.

Guideline E6: Landscaped rooftop terraces are encouraged and should include proper irrigation and maintenance.

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Guideline E7: Rear facades and side yards should include plant materials which are compatible or complementary to the front of buildings.

Drought tolerant plant species should be utilized in landscaping design

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F. Landscape of Sites Guideline F1: Projects should avoid long, monotonous walls and screens. The height, elements, alignment of wall, and penetrations (e.g., gates) should be varied.

Guideline F2: Walls should complement adjoining architecture in materials, detail, and proportion.

Guideline F3: Projects should provide landscaping at the base of building walls and property line walls to soften the appearance of the hard edge between paving and walls.

Guideline F4: Landscape materials should be used to provide focal points and rhythm on long expanses of wall area. They should adhere to the color, accents, and/or scale of buildings.

Guideline F5: Ground cover plantings should be utilized as needed to insure complete coverage of landscape areas.

Guideline F6: Ground water recharge should be facilitated on all parts of new building sites that are not covered by a subterranean garage. Possible strategies include: •

Rain gardens and vegetated swales that convey and infiltrate rainwater.

•

Permeable pavements that allow stormwater to infiltrate directly into the ground below. Acceptable permeable surfaces include pervious concrete, pervious pavers, decomposed granite, and gravel.

•

Evapotranspiration sensors for all irrigation systems.

Grass is discouraged when landscaping commercial businesses G. Landscape of Parking Areas

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Guideline G1: The use of drought tolerant and native plants is encouraged. For a guide on drought tolerant and native plants refer to the Los Angeles County Native Plant List (http://dpw.lacounty.gov/ wwd/web/Conservation/NativePlant.aspx)

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Guideline G2: The use of native plants with differing texture and color to create visual interest within and with surrounding projects is encouraged.

Guideline G3: Plant material should be selected for durability, water saving and ease of maintenance.

All landscape plans should include a maintenance program.

Guideline G4: The use of poisonous or otherwise dangerous plants is prohibited.

Guideline G5: Plant material should be used to form living walls, canopies, or floors.

• Trees provide overhead structure and shade • Shrubs define open space and provide accents

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Ground cover offers color and texture at grade level Vines offer color, texture, and vandalism protection for building walls.

Guideline G5: Plant material should be used to frame views, create inviting spaces, and screen unattractive areas and utilities.

Guideline G6: Plant materials should be appropriate to the Pacific Palisades climate zone and to particular sites with regard to sun and water use.

Guideline G7: The growth rate and size of plants at maturity should be considered at the time of planting to insure proper scale of plantings to surroundings.

Guideline G8: Ground covers to provide interest and complete coverage without excessive water usage.

Guideline G9: Native deciduous trees are encouraged so light can go through in winter and create shadow in summer.

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H. Lighting and Utilities Guideline H1: Low wattage lighting is preferred.

Guideline H2: Lighting fixtures utilizing poles should be 12 feet high maximum. They should be located on the periphery in order to direct light onto a site and avoid light spillover to adjacent properties.

Guideline H3: Lighting and project specific signage should be designed to be pedestrian-friendly and consistent with the architectural character of the project.

Guideline H4: Streetlights located along pedestrian corridors or walk streets should be visually pleasing and adhere to the scale and style of adjacent land uses. “Antique� or classical streetlight styles are preferred.

I. Automobiles Guideline I1: Driveways should not be located off of major streets, such as Sunset Boulevard..

Guideline I2: Rear driveways that do not cross major pedestrian paths are preferred.

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Guideline I3: Separate service access areas and entrances should be provided.

J. Street Art Design

A mixture of materials, plant species, and hardscapes should be used to add variety to landscaped areas

Guideline 1: All public art should make a positive contribution to the life of the city and to the wellbeing of its citizens.

Guideline 2: Artwork should express character and history of the site and integrate objects into public spaces with the primary purpose of introducing a sense of artistic vitality, playfulness, spirit, or joy into the community.

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Guideline 3: Work of any style or nature which is appropriate for the public art collection and which is responsive in scale, material, form and content with their surroundings will be considered.

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Section 12 Circulation

Goal: The Village is first and foremost a community gathering space. As such, the ease and clarity of movement throughout the Village is essential. These policies and guidelines facilitate the circulation of visitors and residents with priority given to the pedestrian experience and vehicle wayfinding.

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General Considerations: Sidewalks and intersections are the public spaces where Crosswalks should be enhanced with bulbouts connections are made. The guidelines provide strategies and actions to provide a connec- and landscaping to protect pedestrians ted, efficient, and user-friendly circulation network that accommodates pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. While priority shall be given to pedestrians, the strategies are proposed to balance the needs of buses and bikes, to allow people to switch from one to another easily. or national commercial entities are contrary to the existing character of the Village.

STANDARDS A. Pedestrian Corridor

Standard A4: The pedestrian experience shall be prioritized by maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness, comfort and safety of walking.

Standard A1: Swarthmore Avenue shall be closed to vehicle traffic from Sunset Boulevard to Monument Standard A5: Walkways shall be protected from Avenue and redesigned as a pedestrian paseo with public amenities, landscaping, and seating to facilita- automobiles by bollards, public art, landscaping or other design elements. te gathering and place making.

Standard A2: Landscaping which includes grouping of plant materials, consisting of small trees, shrubs, planter boxes or tubs of flowers, shall be placed at entrances to courtyards and along walkways.

Standard A6: Walkways shall be discreetly lighted, without light spillover to adjacent sites.

Standard A7: Projects shall provide a landscaped setback at the back of sidewalks by open and inviting fencing, garden walls, public art components, Standard A3: Walkways are to be designed to be lighting, and other design elements. Projects shall inviting with landscaping, provision for shade, and high quality paving materials, such as pavers, colored create a park-like open space that separates vehicular uses from sidewalks, enhances and continues the concrete, and stamped and scored concrete for all continuity of the corridor sidewalk network. surfaces used by vehicles and pedestrians.

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Pedestrian walkstreets should include bollards, permeable surfaces, and landscaping

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Standard A8: Projects shall provide designated and detailed pedestrian pathways from surface parking areas to site destinations, such as building entries and rear parking areas.

Standard A9: Projects shall integrate open space and landscape at the sidewalks to enhance the experience of passing pedestrians, encourage gathering and outdoor activities at sidewalks, and provide buffers and transitions to adjacent commercial buildings.

C. Automobile Circulation Standard C1: Wayfinding for automobiles shall include highly visible signage delineating the pedestrian and bicycle environment from the vehicular environment. Where the two intersect (e.g. surface parking lots), separation measures such as landscaping or bollards shall be implemented to prevent pedestrian/vehicle conflict.

Standard C2: To facilitate the success of the Village parking system, signage directing vehicles to available parking spaces shall be visibly prevalent from all B. Sidewalk zones major thoroughfares. Signage shall not be blocked Standard B1: Curb extensions and bulb outs shall be in whole or part by any landscaping or utilities. installed as part of a traffic calming project. Priority D. Bicycle Circulation areas for curb extensions include: • • •

Streets with high pedestrian volumes and/or high traffic volumes and speeds (i.e. Sunset Blvd and Swarthmore Ave) Wide streets with long crossing times Streets with a history of pedestrian safety concerns

Businesses along pedestrian street should utilize public space to activiate the street

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Standard D1: When bicycle lanes are desired but may be infeasible in the near-term, potential bikefriendly streets should be considered as “Present Class III/ Potential Class II”. These facilities would be designated Class III facilities with sharrows in the short-term, but would have the long-term goal of Class II bicycle lanes.

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Landscaped bulbouts enhance the pedestrian environment and increase safety

Standard D2: Bicycle lanes in proximity to the Village that facilitate travel to and from public recreation areas and parkland shall be considered for implementation.

Standard D3: The following streets are recommended for bikeways and bicycle facilities implementation as they form comprehensive a bicycle network for the existing bicycle plan area.

“Present Class III / Potential Class II” bikeways: • Swarthmore Ave between Sunset Blvd and Bowdoin St • Bowdoin St between Swarthmore Ave and Radcliffe Ave • Via De La Paz between Antioch and Carthage St Class III Bicycle route (sharrows): • Antioch St between Sunset Blvd and Haverford Ave • Haverford Ave between Temescal Canyon Rd and Antioch St Class II bike lane (Colored): • Temescal Canyon Rd between Sunset Blvd and Pacific Coast Hwy

Well defined bicycle paths protect bicyclists from automobile conflict

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GUIDELINES

C. Automobile Circulation

A. Pedestrian Corridor

Guideline C1: There should be landscaping on the sides of streets to define the sidewalk edge, to distinguish private and public areas, and to separate cars from pedestrians.

Guideline A1: Bollards, landscaping, and signage shall be utilized to define the boundaries of the Swarthmore Paseo that abut an active lane of vehicular travel.

Guideline A2: At least 75% of the ground floor street frontage of each building should be devoted to pedestrian entrances, display windows, or windows affording views into retail, office, galley or lobby space.

Guideline A3: Ground floor retail and other high intensity pedestrian uses should occupy at least 75% of the ground floor street frontage of each building, including parking structures.

Guideline A4: Blank walls along the ground floor street wall are discouraged.

Bollards define the boundaries of pedestrian areas

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Guideline A5: At least one pedestrian entrance into or through each business or use from each street frontage should be provided.

Guideline A6: At least 10 percent of a site should be suitable for pedestrian uses, with landscaping, benches, tables, trash receptacles, and water fountains.

B. SidEwalk Zones Guideline B1: Bulb-outs should be designed to maximize pedestrian space and minimize crossing distances as much as possible, while allowing vehicle movements. The bulb-out should extend to the full width of the parking lane if feasible. An alternative way is to extend bulb-out 10 feet to the nearest auto travel lane.

Guideline C2: The design should form links in scale, size, proportion, or style with surrounding developments.

Guideline C3: Visual and sound buffering should be provided for protection of nearby residences.

Guideline C4: Automobile wayfinding should be clearly and quickly understandable for motorists searching for parking.

Guideline C6: Wayfinding signs should be placed in areas where they do not disturb the scenic quality of views in the Village.

Blank walls create characterless buildings

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Section 13 Building Design

Goal: To maintain the interest, quality, and authenticity of the built environment in the Village.

General Considerations: The cohesion of architectural design quality, context sensitivity, and code adherence is essential to success of a historic commercial core. The built environment should create a sense of place and community vibrancy.

STANDARDS Standard 1: In response to Pacific Palisades’ seasonal climate variations, building massing and landscaping shall provide a balance between access to sunlight and to shade.

Standard 5: Courtyards shall be designed with planters capable of accommodating deciduous trees that provide shade during summer and solar gain during winter.

Standard 2: Building elements such as open air, covered outdoor circulation (loggias, arcades, and porches) shall be used to minimize the amount of mechanically heated and cooled space and to expand the building’s useable outdoor area.

Standard 6: Courtyards shall be visible to people passing by on the street (even though the latter may not have access to the courtyard). The opening from the street to the courtyard may be either gated or completely open to the street, but should be unobstructed by garden walls or other solid elements that impede the view into and out of the courtyard.

Standard 3: Courtyards and forecourts shall be designed to be inviting places that are useful to their occupants. They should provide a central, flat area that is habitable and encourages human activity and interaction. This area may be paved, landscaped with a surface that can be walked on (grass, decomposed granite), or a combination of the two and may be raised above surrounding walkways.

Standard 4: Courtyards and forecourts shall provide design elements such as seating areas, fountains, and/or outdoor fireplaces to encourage their use as outdoor rooms or gathering places.

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Standard 7: 24-hour usages are prohibited Standard 8: No ground floor change of use in any street fronting building or portion of a building shall be approved if the change reduces ground floor retail and other high intensity pedestrian uses below 75 percent of the building’s total street frontage.

High intensity uses should not include office-oriented projects, such as real estate and insurance.

Standard 9: Building design shall be compatible only with well-designed existing development.

Arcades and awnings minimize the heat and attract customers to the stores

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Standard 10: The design of the building shall be similar or compatible with the vertical and horizontal building lines of its neighbors.

Standard 11: Development shall incorporate existing historical and architectural landmarks into new projects and protect access to and views of such landmarks.

Standard 12: Rather than demolishing historically significant properties, they shall be protected by finding new uses that may be housed in them.

Standard 13: Building facades shall be renovated to reflect, as closely as possible, a structure’s historic character.

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GUIDELINES Guideline 1: Articulate commercial building facades to unify a building’s appearance, and add interest, scale, and three-dimensional quality; articulation may be provided through periodic changes in wall plane, building material and/or color, the introduction of building fenestration, or other approaches that create visual interest and/or shadow lines.

Guideline 2: Create a simple, pleasing composition that uses a common vocabulary of forms, architectural elements, and materials; continue design elements, detailing, and materials around the entire structure Guideline 3: Buildings designed in traditional styles shall adhere to the rules of the established architectural traditions of the Pacific Palisades. Additionally, there are many resources, including publications and historians than should be consulted by designers and builders of new buildings.

Guideline 4: All buildings within a project site - including accessory buildings and buildings associated with parking - shall be designed to be consistent with the primary structure.

Guideline 5: Buildings with small businesses are encouraged.

Guideline 6: Projects creating traffic congestion, noise, or air and water pollution are discouraged Guideline 7: The design of a building should be compatible with its use/function.

Guideline 8: New designs should draw upon the best surrounding examples for inspiration.

Guideline 9: As discussed in detail in Section 9, new and infill construction should follow the tenets of LEED design or another sustainable design approach of equal value.

Guideline 10: Design articulation should be appliedto all exposed facades.

Guideline 11: Richness in design and detail should inspire users and passers-by.

Guideline 12: Variety in detail, form and texture is encouraged.

Guideline 13: Mixing of architectural styles in a single building is discouraged.

Guideline 14: Shadow play is encouraged (e.g., deeply recessed or projecting features).

Guideline 15: Colors and types of building materials shall be reasonably consistent with the colors and types of building materials used in existing structures in each area and shall be harmonious with the character of each area Guideline 16: Attractive materials of high durability and low maintenance are encouraged and should be well maintained.

Guideline 17: Textured materials, such as brick, stone, painted stucco, and wood for walls and clay tiles for roofing are encouraged.

Guideline 18: Contrasting window framing is encouraged to add visual depth and interest.

Guideline 19: Building walls should be trimmed in wood, stone, cast stone, precast concrete, or concrete. Foam moldings are discouraged.

Craftsman or International are some of the discouraged architectural style

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Guideline 20: Attached elements such as porches, trellises, awnings, hand rails, and balconies should be designed in a manner that is consistent with the architectural language of the rest of the building as well as with each other, and should be detailed to last.

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Guideline 21: Colors for trim, window sashes and roofs, gutters, and related building elements should complement the main color of a building.

Guideline 30: Existing materials that have deteriorated over time should be refurbished, repaired, or recreated when missing.

Guideline 22: Clear, untinted glass is encouraged.

Guideline 31: As many original components should be maintained as possible (e.g., decorative railings, Guideline 23: Canvas awnings in lieu of glass tint are moldings, trims, and terra cotta details). encouraged for shading devices and should be well maintained.

Guideline 32: Building additions should be designed to reflect and blend with the existing design of the Guideline 24: Internally illuminated awnings resem- structure. Additions should complement the original bling large projecting signs are prohibited. design and not overwhelm or disrupt it.

Guideline 25: Glazing should be clear glass and should not be reflective (mirrored) Guideline 26: Window openings may include operable shutters sized to match their openings, opaque canvas awnings and other shading devices, planter boxes supported by visible brackets, or other accessories appropriate to each style.

Guideline 27: Roof design should be in proportion with neighboring buildings.

Guideline 28: All rooftop equipment, including small equipment such as satellite dishes and cellular telephone transmission antennas, should be screened from view with an integral architectural element.

Trellis screening is prohibited.

Guideline 29: The exterior building components, sun shading devices, lighting plan and fixtures should be compatible with the general character of the area.

Roof design should be in proportion with neighboring buildings

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Section 14 Sustainabiity

Goal: To reduce the energy and resource demand of the Village while designing a vibrant green corridor.

General Considerations: Sustainable design features should complement rather than detract from the Village experience. Drought tolerant landscaping, permeable surfaces, and low impact development can be designed to facilitate the viability of local business Large areas of impermeable surfaces are

STANDARDS

discouraged

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Standard 1: Individual buildings with contiguous rooftops larger than 10,000 square feet shall install solar photovoltaic panels on a minimum of 25% of the roof square footage.

Standard 2: The use of drought tolerant and/or native plant species is required in all landscaping to ensure the reduction of water consumption.

Standard 3: Streetscape improvements shall incorporate permeable surfaces into their design. The use of cobblestone, pavers, or other permeable materials shall comprise no less than 75% of streetscape improvements.

Standard 4: New development and additions shall install energy star (or equivalent) rated appliances and low flow faucets and toilets.

Standard 5: Parking lots larger than 5,000 square feet are required to plant shade trees with canopy coverage for no less than 25% of the surface area of the lot or install solar canopies with equal coverage.

Permeable pavers are encouraged for stormwater capture

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GUIDELINES

Guideline 4: New development projects should utilize passive solar designs to minimize heating and cooling requirements.

Guideline 1: New development and infill projects should, to the degree feasible, be built with sustainaGuideline 5: Landscaping and shade tree planting bly sourced or recycled materials. on south, southwest and southeast sides of buildings is encouraged as an effective way to reduce cooling Guideline 2: New development and infill projects requirements for projects. are encouraged to seek LEED certification.

Guideline 3: The use of hoses and water to clean sidewalks or parking areas is prohibited.

Guideline 6: Existing building owners are encouraged to install green roofs to reduce the urban heat island effect as well as lowering energy consumption and cooling costs.

Drought tolerant plants reduce water usage and are encouraged when landscaping

Rooftop top solar utilizes unused space for energy generation

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Section 15 Sign Standards

A. Prohibitions. The following signs are expressly prohibited: 1. Off-site commercial signs.

2. Roof signs.

3. Window Signs (except store names, store hours, logos and holiday paintings which must be removed within five business days after the holiday).

4. Animated signs, including flashing neon signs.

5. Bench Signs.

6. Pole signs and monument signs (except as provided in Subsection C of this Section).

B. Requirements. All signs, except as provided in Subsections C and D of this Section, shall conform to the following criteria: 1. The total sign area shall not exceed two square feet for each of the first 20 feet of building frontage which is adjacent to a public access way and one square foot for each linear foot of building frontage which exceeds the first 20 feet.

2. Where buildings or structures occupy a comer site, total sign area shall be 1.5 times the building frontage. For such comer locations, no more than two-thirds of the total allowable sign area shall be permitted facing on any one of the street frontages.

3. For all buildings occupied by several businesses or uses, the size of signs pertaining to each business or use is governed by the proportion of the building frontage occupied by that business or use.

4. Where there is a public entrance from an alley or from a parking lot in addition to the main entrance, there shall be permitted an additional sign area of one-half square foot for each linear foot on that side of the lot, not to exceed 20 square feet in area. If there is no public entrance on that side of the building, sign area is limited to a business identification sign, not to exceed two square feet in sign area.

5. No single sign shall exceed 100 square feet in sign Area.

6. Marquee signs and signs attached to awnings may not project above the marquee or awning; may not extend more than 12 inches below the marquee or awning; and shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk or ground.

7. One Symbol Sign shall be permitted for each business or use and is not included in aggregate size limits. A Symbol Sign may not exceed three square feet in total area and must project from the building or structure or wrought iron brackets of uniform size established by the Design Review Board.

8. Notwithstanding Subsections (c), (d) and (e) of LAMC Section 91.6215, banners shall only be

permitted if (a) the banner is hung on a 4-foot flag pole; (b) it is attached to the front of a building or structure; and (c) there is clearance of at least 12 feet above the adjacent grade. Banners shall be a uniform size of four by two and one-half feet and may not be displayed for more than 30 days.

9. All signs, other than those described in Subdivisions 6, 7, 8 and 10 of this Subsection shall be parallel to building walls or facades.

10. Temporary Signs inside a building and visible from the outside shall be set back at least six inches from a window and may not be displayed for more than 30 days. The total sign area of such sign shall not exceed 20 percent of the total square footage of the window.

11. No sign shall be attached directly to either the inside or outside of any window or door, except for store names, store hours and logos.

12. Any store hours sign shall be placed in the front door or window closest to the front door.

Such sign shall not exceed three square feet in sign area.

C. Gas Station Sign Requirements 1. In addition to one wall sign, a gas station may have one monument sign or one pole sign. A pole sign for a gas station shall not exceed the height of the roof line of the station or eight feet in height from ground level, whichever is less.

2. No gas station pole or monument sign shall exceed 36 square feet of sign area including all faces of a multi-faced sign, and shall be placed in a permanently landscaped area of no less than 24 square feet surrounded by a concrete curb of no less than six inches and no more than 12 inches in height.

3. A double-faced sign shall be used to advertise the price of gasoline. The sign area of such sign

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shall not exceed nine square feet on each side, shall be hung beneath the canopy of the station and shall not extend more than four feet beneath the canopy.

4. One additional sign may be used to advertise services offered by the gas station. Such sign shall be single-faced, not more than 12 square feet in total sign area, shall be attached to the building, and shall not extend above the roof of the building to which it is attached.

D. Exceptions. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to: 1. Any sign required by law or by a governmental agency, except for gas station signs.

2. Any real estate sign which pertains to rent, lease or sale of property only and has a sign area which does not exceed 18 by 25 inches.

3. Any Block Directory Sign which has been approved by the Director of Planning.

4. Any traffic direction and parking information sign in the Commercial Village and Neighborhood Areas which has been approved by the Director of Planning.

5. Any mural which has been approved by the Cultural Affairs Commission of the City and has been reviewed and approved by the Director of Planning pursuant to Section 14 of this Specific Plan.

6. Any time and temperature sign, provided no advertising is included.

7. Any sign advertising the sale or lease of a vacant lot provided it has been approved by the Director of Planning and complies with the following conditions: a. The sign shall not be illuminated.

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b. The total sign area shall not exceed nine square feet. c. The sign shall not exceed a height of six feet above the ground level or adjacent sidewalk. d. The sign shall be located not less than ten feet from the lot line.

8. Any temporary construction sign located on a lot where a building or structure is being erected or remodeled and which identifies the owner, architects, engineers, financing agent and/or contractors involved in the Project; provided the sign shall not be more than 40 square feet in total sign area nor extend more than eight feet above ground level and shall be removed within 15 days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the building or structure.

9. Any temporary political or other ideological sign, provided that the sign may not be a roof sign, may not exceed 20 square feet in sign area and 10 feet in height, and if it relates to an election or other event is removed within 15 days following the election or event to which it relates.

E.

Abatement of Nonconforming Signs

1. Any Window or Temporary Sign made nonconforming by reason of this Section shall be completely removed within 180 days following the effective date of this ordinance.

2. All other signs in the Commercial Village made nonconforming by this Section shall be completely removed within five years after the effective date of the original Pacific Palisades Commercial Village Specific Plan ordinance (December 31, 1985), except for a sign or structure which qualifies as an 11advertising display� as defined in Section 5202 of the Business and Professions Code. This provision does not apply to Neighborhood Areas A, B and C unless a funding source is established for the purpose of reimbursing the owner of the sign. The effective date for these additional Areas would be that of this amendment (October 26, 1992) to the Specific Plan.

10. Any sign which identifies security protection systems, provided the sign does not exceed a sign area of 49 square inches.

11. Any flag.

12. Any Sandwich Sign, not otherwise prohibited by the LAMC, provided it does not exceed two feet by three feet in sign area, is no higher than 40 inches in overall height, is placed so as not to impede pedestrian traffic and is approved by the Director of Planning.

13. Any restaurant menu sign with a sign area of less than nine square feet.

CPIPP

Section 16 Design Review Procedures

Board is hereby established, which shall consist of seven voting members. The voting members shall be appointed by the Councilmember(s) of the District(s) encompassing the Specific Plan Area and shall live or work in the Pacific Palisades, within zip code areas 90272 and 90402.

The Board shall be constituted as follows:

A. Jurisdiction. Except for one-family dwellings, the Director of Planning shall review plans, elevations and/or other graphic representations of each Project in accordance with the Design Review Board Procedures of Section 16.50 and the Specific Plan Procedures of Section 11.5.7 of the LAMC The Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Design Review Board may make recommendations to the Director on design review matters.

The Director of Planning shall make a determination on design review based on the following standards: 1. All proposed buildings or structures shall be designed in such a fashion that all ventilation, heating or air conditioning ducts, equipment or other related appurtenances are adequately screened from public view; 2. Any exterior treatment of a building or structure including color, texture, windows or other architectural features shall be applied to all exterior walls in a similar manner; 3. Colors and types of building materials shall be reasonably consistent with the colors and types of building materials used in existing structures in each area and shall be harmonious with the character of each area; 4. The exterior building components, sun shading devices, lighting plan and fixtures shall be compatible with the general character of each area;

5. The proposed buildings or structures shall be designed, to the extent feasible, so as not to cast shadows on adjacent property; 6. Buildings and structures shall be oriented to maximize the potential for landscaped areas and public spaces and to minimize obstruction of mountain views; 7. The size of proposed buildings or structures shall be similar in scale to surrounding buildings or structures and shall be appropriate to the character of the areas; 8. All open areas not utilized for buildings, driveways, parking areas, recreational facilities or walks shall be landscaped so that multi­family or commercial uses are substantially buffered from the view of single-family dwellings; 9. Landscape design and plant types shall be compatible with the building design, site location, and the general character of each area.

B. The Pacific Palisades Village and Neighborhoods Design Review Board 1. Authority. The authority, duties, and review procedures applicable to the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board shall comply with Section 16.50 of the LAMC and the procedures in this Section.

2. Composition. The Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Design Review

a. one member qualified in the discipline of architecture; b. one member qualified in the discipline of landscape architecture; c. one member qualified either in the discipline of urban planning or of landscape architecture; d. four additional members.

3. Development of Design Guidelines. The Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Design Review Board shall propose and the City Planning Commission shall adopt specific design guidelines to implement provisions established in this Section. These guidelines may be illustrations, interpretations, standards or policies, and may address the color, materials, texture and/or design of features including but not limited to public signs, street furniture, trash containers, metal bars on windows and doors, traffic direction and parking information signs and exterior building facades. Departments or Commissions, under whose jurisdi ction some of these matters lie, shall be requested to provide comments on these guidelines.

4. All applications for design review approval shall include cpproval by the Department of Transportation of on-site parking and driveway access plans in accordance with Section 10 E of this Specific Plan.

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PACIFIC PALISADES VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN AND DESIGN GUIDELINES

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