Objective design standards are intended to make the design requirements that apply to certain qualifying residential projects more predictable and easier to interpret for all stakeholders, including decision-makers, staff, applicants, and members of the public. The purpose of objective design standards is for applicants to know beforehand what requirements apply to a proposed development and for the applicant to be able to design a project that meets those requirements before submitting the project for City review.
Existing adopted general plans, specific plans, zoning codes, overlay zones, subdivision requirements, landscaping, and other land development regulations may contain objective design standards, which are applicable to qualifying residential development projects.