Citywide Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines

CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

City of Redwood City, California | October 2020 DRAFT

Roof forms

Outdoor living spaces

Side setback areas Private realm Facade design Neighborhood space Pathways

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ii | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

City of Redwood City, California | October 2020 DRAFT

City Council Architectural Advisory Committee Diane Howard, Mayor John Alan Spotorno, Chair Shelly Masur, Vice Mayor Marc Pfenninger, Vice Chair Alicia C. Aguirre Sally A. T. Roth Ian Bain John Lee Stewart

Janet Borgens Niles Tanakatsubo Giselle Hale

Diana Reddy City Staff Lindy Chan, Principal Planner

Planning Commission Diana O’Dell, Principal Planner Kevin Bondonno, Chair William Chui, Senior Planner Ernie Schmidt, Vice Chair Rick Hunter Consultant Nancy Radcliffe Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. Bill Shoe Michael Smith

Rene Alejandro Ortega

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iv | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES CONTENTS

1 Introduction page 1

2 Neighborhood Patterns page 3

3 Priority Guidelines page 9

4 Secondary Guidelines page 14

5 Guide to Architectural Styles page 20

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vi | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES 1 INTRODUCTION The City of Redwood City is committed to quality design, attractive neighborhoods, and a high quality of life for its residents. A largely residential community, home design is major part of community life. The design of single-family homes is an opportunity to express the diversity of the City’s aesthetic values and promote a healthy and livable public realm.

In response to concerns regarding the neighborhood compatibility of recent single-family home designs, theThis City document sought presentscommunity the inputcity’s firstto develop design theseguidelines guidelines. to inform The single-family guidelines recognize residential the home unique design. features of Redwood City and help identify valued patterns of development in its various residential neighborhoods. The document recognizes the elements of community character that residents seek to protect and provides guidance to help achieve high-quality and attractive home designs.

Purpose The Citywide Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines is intended to serve as a reference to residents, homeowners, designers, developers, and design reviewers. The guidelines are intended to assist homeowners and designers recognize the impacts, both good and bad, that some design elements have on the neighborhood. In addition to promoting architectural compatibility in building and site design, the guidelines are intended to communicate the City’s design expectations to the Redwood City community; to ensure consistent application of those expectations during design review; accommodate the changing needs of Redwood City residents; and to promote excellence in design for all Redwood City single-family neighborhoods.

The Guidelines are also intended to lend transparency and equity to the design review process by giving project applicants a clear understanding of what is acceptable. Design elements addressed within this document include building massing and scale, upper story step-backs, facade articulation, roof design, window design, garage placement and design, site design and landscaping. Collectively, the Design Guide- lines aim to achieve the following:

• Accommodate the changing household needs and expectations of the Redwood City community, including multi-generational households;

•

• ReflectEncourage sound an designinviting principles streetscape and and best public practices realm on visible a lot-by-lot from the basis; right-of-way;

• Embrace architectural diversity and style while recognizing existing patterns;

•

Ensure transparency and flexibility in the approval process;

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 1 • Be clear and easy-to-use; and

• Guide development to achieve a balanced and harmonious design.

Design professionals are encouraged to review this document during the initial stages of design. Attention to the concepts and recommendations in this document will reduce the number of required meetings and ultimately the time required to process an application.

Applicability This document is intended to guide the design of all single-family homes throughout the city by supple- menting the development standards of the Redwood City Zoning Code. While the Code establishes basic

guidance for all single-family residential design. The guidelines also provide the criteria for evaluation of development standards, the Guidelines provide a more robust set of design expectations and specific

projects that require an Architectural Permit, as defined in Article 45 of the Code. Using this Document The four sections that follow focus on different elements of residential design. Narrative text provides

Ac-companying illustrations are provided to help interpret the guidelines. con-text and background for each topic, while guidelines are presented with sequential orange prefixes. • Section 2 documents observed neighborhood patterns. Guidelines establish the criteria under which patterns should be maintained.

• Section 3 lists Priority Guidelines for a range of building and site design elements. Included are guidelines for building height and scale; two-story forms; entries, community living space, and building design; roof design; and garage design.

• Section 4 lists Secondary Guidelines for a range of building and site design elements. Included are guidelines for facade design; entries and community living space; window design; materials; architectural details; and landscape design.

• Section 5 provided as a reference to help provide a context for existing homes designs and for the guide- describes specific architectural styles found throughout Redwood City. This section is

lines provided in sections 2 through 4.

2 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES 2 NEIGHBORHOOD PATTERNS A neighborhood is a space where the community lives and grows. It is made up of houses, streets, trees General Plan Policy BE-3.7 and other landscaping, and the front setback, where the public and private realms meet. Each home that Identify positive neighborhood character is built affects this neighborhood space, gives it shape and lends it character. elements, and use these design features as design drivers for new development. built over the past century and the Redwood City community deeply values this diversity in design. At the Redwood City is made up of neighborhoods with a variety of styles and configurations of home design formative elements and values the preservation and continuity of those elements. same time, the community recognizes that many Redwood City neighborhoods are defined by particular This section presents patterns of formative elements observed in various Redwood City neighborhoods. The patterns discussed here are examples of the existing patterns of design that have been established over time and that remain hallmarks of the neighborhood aesthetic and character. Included are patterns in street-facing volumes;

Understanding and maintaining existing neighborhood patternsrooflines; can garage provide design; a valuable and relationshipgrounding for to expressions the street. of individuality in home design without limiting develop- ability or the ability of individual homeowners to meet their needs. Roof forms Some areas of Redwood City may not exhibit any of these Outdoor living patterns; however, applicants are encouraged to deter- spaces mine if any of the patterns discussed here exist, and if so, to design homes and home additions that are consistent Side setback areas Private realm with the pattern. It is also important to note that phys- ical differences in sites, including lot size, lot width, the Facade design slope of the natural grade, the maturity of existing veg- Neighborhood etation, the nature of adjacent uses, and/or the period space Pathways during which the house was constructed affect how each Public Landscaped “rooms” and described in this section are general in nature and ex- right-of-way pressiondesign element of any mayone bepattern expressed. may be The achieved patterns in identified a variety of ways. More specific guidance is provided in sections 3 through 5.

NEIGHBORHOOD PATTERNS REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES |OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 3 Single-Story Street-Facing Facade Pattern In many neighborhoods, single-story volumes face the street. While houses generally include larger massing toward the rear of the lot, the predominant single-story front facade maintains a lower-scale volume facing the public realm that reduces apparent mass and bulk from the right-of-way. Single-story street-facing volumes may be indoor living spaces, outdoor living spaces, or garages. 2-A Maintain consistency with the existing patterns of volumes at the front setback line. A pattern of

pattern. front street-facing volumes exists where a majority of houses within a 300-foot radius exhibit the

Two-story homes in the Stambaugh-Keller (top) and Single-story street-facing volumes may be single-car Woodside (bottom) neighborhoods establish a pattern of garages, covered outdoor spaces, or interior space. one-story volumes at the front setback.

Hillside Split-Level Pattern In hillside areas, many homes are designed as split-level homes, with garages facing the street and entrances on a separate volume. Retaining walls, rooflines, and entrance features contribute to an overall design that appears to “step up” with the terrain. 2-B Maintain consistency with the existing patterns of hillside split-level designs. A pattern of split-

level designs exists where a majority of houses within a 300-foot radius exhibit the pattern.

This split-level Eagle Hill home appears “built into” the natural topography of the lot, with separate volumes and a defining front entry feature.

Split-level homes typically exhibit a rhythm of volumes, entrance features and streetscape that softens the appearance of the street-facing garage.

4 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Roofline Patterns Consistent rooflines establish a particular aesthetic in many neighborhoods. Gabled rooflines may create a consistent rhythm across the blockface, while eave lines create a consistent horizontal line across a blockface. The line may be interrupted by gables or other architectural features without compromising the com- bined effect. In hillside areas, patterns of flat or shallow-pitched roofs avoid competing with the natural terrain. 2-C majority of houses on the blockface exhibit the pattern. Design rooflines to be consistent with prevailing roof forms. A roofline pattern exists where a

Continuous horizontal eavelines in the Friendly Acres neighborhood.

Flat or shallow-pitched rooflines in the Canyon neighborhood.

A gabled roofline pattern in the Eagle Hill neighborhood.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 5 Detached Garage Pattern Many single-family homes have a driveway to a detached garage at the rear of the lot. Detached garages generally leave more space between homes, minimize paving in the front setback, and allow for a more varied streetscape. Access to detached garages is typically from the front of the lot or, on corner lots, the side. 2-D

Reflect the block’s pattern of garage form and placement. A pattern of detached garages exists Where majority of garages are detached on the block of the subject property, but pattern does not 2-E where a majority of houses within a 300-foot radius exhibit the pattern. exist per Guideline 2-D and an attached garage is proposed, place the attached garage toward the rear of the house or recessed the garages to reduce the visual impact.

With detached garages located at the rear of the lot, the Detached garages are typical in older visual focus of these Edgewood Park homes is on the roof neighborhoods and in areas with large lots. forms and entry features that face the street.

This attached garage is a separate volume from the primary structure.

This attached garage appears as a separate volume from the right-of-way and is recessed from the facade.

Attached garages may be recessed from the home’s facade to This attached garage is set back from the primary facade prevent the garage from dominating the street frontage. and separated from the semi-public space.

6 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Outdoor Space and Landscape Patterns Though yard sizes vary among different neighborhoods, landscaped front setbacks are typical throughout many Redwood City neighborhoods. Outdoor spaces are framed by a variety of foliage, with low walls of plants and shrubs helping to define outdoor spaces and accent architectural elements. Large trees provide shade and screening while contributing to the neighborhood. Additionally, many front yard fences and walls are low and designed with an aesthetic that is consistent with that of the primary structure. 2-F Maintain consistency with patterns of landscaping evident in the neighborhood. A pattern of landscaping exists where majority of the homes on the blockface of the subject property soften the front setback areas with a range of sizes, species, textures, and colors of foliage.

Consistent pattern of landscaped front setbacks with shrubs and bushes.

Private Space

Semi-public/ Transitional Space Public Space

Low walls of plants and fences define outdoor spaces and are integral elements of the public realm.

A variety of landscape and structural elements contribute to creating usable outdoor community spaces.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 7 2-G Maintain existing landscaping and incorporate new landscaping to create “outdoor spaces.” Outdoor spaces incorporate streetscape elements that separate the front setback areas into distinguishable spaces through landscaping, low fences or walls, planters, or other structural garden elements. These elements provide privacy, enhance curb appeal, and help reduce the perceived massing of the two-story structure behind the outdoor space. Outdoor space placement and dimensions should be consistent with existing neighboring outdoor spaces.

Low walls of plants and shrubs can soften the facade and anchor Mature foliage the building. provides shade and creates enclosure.

Plantings in a range of heights adds depth and richness to the streetscape.

Consistent landscaped front setbacks with a range Shrubs frame entrances and of sizes, textures and colors create a welcoming and accent architectural features. comfortable linear community space.

Wall height is below that of the tallest foliage.

Retaining walls maintain landscaping and conform to the topography.

8 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES 3 PRIORITY GUIDELINES Guidelines listed in this section are those that have the greatest bearing on the perceived size, charm, and General Plan Policy BE-5.3 approachability of a home. The mass and bulk of a building is a fundamental design element that affects Strengthen neighborhood identity with the expression of many other building design choices. The overall building height, floor height, facade place- new development that is architecturally ment, and upper-story front and side step-backs impact the public realm and a house’s relationship to its compatible with surrounding structures. neighbors. In addition, the design of frontage elements such as porches and stoops, roof form and design, and garage design are defining elements of building design.

Height and Scale 3-A

3-B Maintain floor heights similar to those of neighboring homes. and ridge heights at exterior walls increase perceived massing of the structure. Second story plate Design plate and ridge heights to reflect interior ground floor ceiling heights. Exaggerated plate Design second stories that lower the perceived building height. Strategies include incorporating 3-C height should be no greater than the first story plate height. hip and/or gabled roof forms and placing the second story within a steep-sloping roof. 3-D

Design massing that reflects the organization and use of interior spaces. Developing the massing of a house along with the floor plan, not after, will lead to a successful exterior form.

DESIRABLE

The two-story design maintains the consistent eave line. Locating a second ﬂoor within a roof slope maintains the consistent eave line.

UNDESIRABLE

A raised ground ﬂoor height disrupts the consistent eave line and is out of A double-height volume at the front setback breaks the consistent eave line scale with the neighboring single-story heights. and the human-scaled line of facades.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 9 DESIRABLE Two-Story Forms 3-E Create a varied streetscape by placing portions of the structure behind the front facade. 3-F

3-G Design the second story to have a floor area of no more than 75 percent of the ground floor area. articulation across the entire facade. Break up the front facade with roof forms above the ground floor and human-scaled features and 3-H relative to neighboring properties. Step side walls of the second story back from the ground floor facade to avoid a bulky appearance 3-I Limit secondary forms. Design the number and size of secondary forms to complement and A second ﬂoor that is stepped back from the ground enhance, rather than overwhelm, the primary form. ﬂoor facade maintains a human-scale at the front 3-J Avoid the “wedding cake” effect. The stories of a two-story home should work together to create setback and breaks up the house’s massing. a singular architectural expression rather than a two tiers of a single form.

UNDESIRABLE

DESIRABLE

Second ﬂoor additions that are stepped back from the ground ﬂoor side facade A double-height front facade can appear massive maintain privacy between neighbors and create a more varied street frontage. and monolithic from the public realm.

UNDESIRABLE

When second stories have no step-back from the ground ﬂoor side facade, a house An overhanging second story can obscure the can appear massive and can impact the sense of privacy between neighbors. building’s entry. A ﬂat surface along the entire height of the facade can contribute to a boxy appearance.

10 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES DESIRABLE DESIRABLE DESIRABLE

The primary form of the house is visible, A second story should engage with the reﬂected in the home’s overall massing. ground ﬂoor roof and create an original overall form.

UNDESIRABLE UNDESIRABLE Entry feature is integral to the home’s roof form and is designed to be at the scale of a person.

UNDESIRABLE

Secondary forms comprise the home’s A second story centered above the ground massing, overwhelming the primary ﬂoor and repetitive roof forms appears forced form and leading to a complex design. and leads to the “wedding cake” eﬀect.

Entries, Community Living Space, and Building Design 3-K Design entryways and covered outdoor areas to be at the human scale rather than as tall elements.

Porches and entryways should have a ceiling height of no more than 12 inches above the first 3-L floor ceiling height. 3-M Design porches to have minimum 50 square feet of clear occupiable area. Avoid entryways that protrude far in front of the primary facade. Entryways should be integral to 3-N Design porch roofs or overhangs to reflect the roof form and design of the primary structure. the facade of the house. 3-O Match the scale and size of windows to the height of the building and size of wall surfaces. Oversized entryway elements should be avoided. Porches, stoops, and vestibules should not dominate the facade or compete with other facade elements.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 11 Roof Design 3-P Roof form communicates the layout of the second ﬂoor gables, dormers, or monitors that do not correspond to distinct rooms or spaces. Incorporate roof forms and rooflines that communicate the program of the spaces below. Avoid 3-Q consistent with existing forms. Steep roofs are any roofs with a slope of greater than 9:12. Avoid steep roof pitches unless the second story fits within the roof pitch or the steep roof is 3-R When building an addition, design roof forms that exhibit the house’s particular architectural style. Style may be expressed through roof materials, eaves, pitch and form. 3-S Avoid the appearance of heaviness in roof design, overly complex roofs, or unusual roofs. A roof should not be the visually dominant part of the building visible from the right-of-way.

Roof forms of secondary additions do not communicate the space within

Roof form communicates the logic of the living spaces below. Dormers break up a massive roof form. Second-story roof form A simple roof form may be echoes but does not most appropriate for some A steep roof pitch repeat the ground floor architectural styles. can fit a second story roof form. within.

12 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES PRIORITY GUIDELINES Garage Design DESIRABLE 3-T Design options to de-emphasize the garage include: • Minimizing garage width. • Installing two garage doors instead of one large door. • Off-setting the wall plane of the two garages to mitigate an expansive appearance. • Adding a trellis with landscaping. • Incorporating paving with planting strip 3-U Incorporate windows and other details on garage doors to create a visually interesting street frontage and reduce the perceived size of the garage. 3-V Design tandem parking areas and garages to reduce the visual impact of the garage. A single two-car garage dominates the streetscape and creates monotonous appearance.

UNDESIRABLE

Where a two-car garage is in front of the house, separate garage doors reduce the visual dominance of the garage and add variety to the street-facing facade.

Garage doors with windows, trim, and/or detailing create visual interest and reduce the expansive appearance of the door.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 13 4 SECONDARY GUIDELINES Elements of building design addressed in this section include various elements of facade and frontage design. Building design features are closely related to building massing and should be driven largely by the logic and organization of the home’s interior spaces. Porches should be logical extensions of interior living spaces rather than afterthoughts; and facade articulation should keep facades from appearing flat and blank. Overall, building design elements should help create a cohesive and unified building envelope.

Building details furthermore complement a building’s massing and design and enhance visual interest. De- tails include windows, doors, building, materials, and colors. Details such as columns, exposed rafters, eaves, decorative trim, and grilles may also express a particular architectural style. As with all elements of building design, details should lend the structure integrity and character and comprise a coherent building design.

Lastly, landscape design includes all parts of the front setback and visible site setback areas. Elements of landscape design includes plantings; paving; fences; and walls and hedges used for screening. Successful landscape design creates a thoughtful relationship among all these elements. It also considers the relationship between site elements and buildings on-site and adjacent to the site.

Facade Design 4-A Incorporate articulation on facades visible from the public realm. Articulation should create shadows and a visual relief. Elements may include plane offsets, recessed windows, balconies, shutters, cornices, eaves, roof overhangs and railings that complement the architectural style of the building. Bay windows should not extend for a height of more than one story. 4-B Incorporate building elements consistently across all facades visible from the right-of-way. Building design elements should relate to each other and lend integrity and balance to the overall design.

Eaves and fascia articulate facades and provide visual relief.

Cornices can express an architectural Trim and banding should style, cast playful complement the home design and shadows, and add interest without distracting. create interest.

14 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Entries and Community Living Space General Plan Policy BE-3.5 4-C Ensure that entrances are transitional spaces that integrate the private and public realms and encourage “eyes on the street”. Require building and site frontages that define public streets with high-quality architectural 4-D Incorporate features that engage and welcome the neighborhood such as porch railings, structural and landscape design, including small-scale columns, windows to the interior, and visible doorways. architectural elements and plane changes. 4-E

landscaping.Design entry spaces that are easily accessed from the right-of-way. The porch floor elevation of should reflect the elevation of the natural grade and porches should not be obscured by

Bay windows and recessed windows add depth to the facade.

Steps and roof overhangs can help define an outdoor space.

Deep porches and entryways create functional transitional spaces, while low ceiling heights signal that these outdoor spaces are extensions of interior living spaces.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 15 Window Design and Placement DESIRABLE 4-F Avoid incongruous, out-of-scale geometric shapes. Use traditional configurations and character-defining features to create variety and rhythm. 4-G Place windows to allow privacy for neighbors. Avoid placing windows directly opposite

neighboring windows, particularly when homes are within 5 feet from the property line on the Align windows to follow a consistent rhythm and use windows to articulate large expanses. 4-H ground floor or 6 feet within the property line on the second story. 4-I When consistent with the overall architectural style, incorporate clerestory windows. 4-J Use casing, lintels, sills, sashes, reveals, and/or geometric panes to add detail to the facade and Windows are consistent in design and sized maintain compatibility with the architectural details of the home. appropriately to their wall surface.

UNDESIRABLE

Shutters

Sashes

Window trim

Bay window Windows are not consistent in size or shape and leave blank expanses of wall.

Arched motif Offset windows to Transom Avoid placing windows Windows avoid direct views. directly opposite neighboring windows.

Window trim, sills, sashes, transom windows, bay windows, Transom and an arched motif can all add interest to a facade. Windows Use step-backs to promote privacy when close proximity exists.

16 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Building Materials 4-K Use quality building materials such as stucco, brick, stone, glass, tile, and articulated wood. Avoid vinyl siding, boulder siding, or low-quality materials. 4-L Minimize an excessive arrangement of materials. Building materials should provide harmony and be part of a limited and complementary palette. 4-M Use colors and materials to break up large expanses and reduce the apparent size. 4-N

Distinguish the ground floor from the second story with materials like brick and stucco when Architecturalintegral to Detailsthe architectural style. See Section 5: Guide to Architectural Styles for more details. 4-O Avoid “tacked on” architectural details with limited purpose or relationship to building style. Details should be integral parts of the structure and express the building’s architectural style. 4-P When designing an addition, retain and match building articulation and architectural details. See

4-Q Section 5: Guide to Architectural Styles. Unless integral to the architectural style of the house, ensure that chimneys and stylized details 4-R Design columns to be true structural elements and to reflect traditional proportions. such as quoins, rustication, and half-timbering are not a visually dominant feature. 4-S Where architectural style allows, include modern features such as eco-friendly materials, trellis, entry gardens, roof opening over planters, and surfaces and fences with integral patterns.

Columns should have a traditional The structural element above a column should diameter-to-height ratio. cover the entire top surface of the column. Chimneys should not be a visually dominant part of a design.

The houses above feature materials and details appropriate to the architectural style and palettes of harmonious neutral colors.

Quoins should be used only on brick or stucco buildings and should be limited to buildings of a colonial or Italianate style.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 17 Landscape Design 4-T Incorporate landscaping in the front setback area to accentuate or frame the entryway and other General Plan Policy BE-3.3 facade elements of the house, to create a sense enclosure, and to soften the public realm. Require new development to provide engaging, well-landscaped outdoor spaces that invite and 4-U Create a landscaping design that presents a natural appearance, harmonizes with existing growth, support outdoor activities for residents, especially and provides a sense of separation from neighboring properties. areas viewed or accessible by the public. 4-V Employ a combination of landscaping and screening for a softer appearance (vertical and horizontal) and to create a welcoming, usable space.

A range of heights in Landscaping plantings softens vertical should be respectful and horizontal massing. of the size and scale of the home and neighboring properties.

Shrubs frame driveways and soften Landscaping anchors a facade, and the appearance of creates a sense of enclosure, and paved surfaces. marks transitions between public, private, and semi-public spaces.

18 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES 4-W Limit lawn and turf area to usable areas, typically in the rear yard. In the front setback, use native vegetation and drought-tolerant vegetation and install low or no-mow lawn materials. Arrange General Plan Policy BE-3.6 landscaping by watering needs. Preserve healthy mature vegetation and incorporate large tree Minimize the street presence and visibility species that provide shade, add comfort, and/or provide screening. of parking facilities from public streets and neighboring properties. 4-X Avoid tall screening, walls, and fences that creates a “walled-off” appearance and hides the residence from the street. Use transparent and/or low screening that complements the residence. 4-Y Design screening that complements the architectural style of the primary structure.

Where a two-car garage is located Limit driveway width to All surfaces not occupied Transparent and/or low screening complements but does not at the front setback, permeable 10 feet where possible. by walkways should be hide the residence. Shrubs soften the effect of the screening paving and/or a center landscape landscaped or otherwise and create a buffer between the fence and sidewalk. strip can reduce the visual impact permeable. of the driveway width.

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 19 5 GUIDE TO ARCHITECTURAL STYLES The following architectural styles are found in Redwood City and appropriate for the city’s various residential neighborhoods. The range of styles described here will support a diversity of character within the community while ensuring that all residential development complements the architectural character of the region, city and neighborhood. The style elements described for each architectural style are not exhaustive; rather, they provide a general summary of each style’s formal elements.

5-A Where an existing structure exhibits a particular style, design additions in the same style. 5-B

Avoid pastiche. If a building element is reflective of a particular style, all building elements should be reflective of that same style.

20 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Mediterranean - recessedThe Mediterranean windows and style door features openings low-pitched that accentuate hipped shadows.roofs covered Carved in arched brackets red and clay wrought tile, flat iron roofs grilles par areapets, common, and stucco as are exterior, balconies either and smooth other orelements roughly made textured. of cast Wall iron. planes Exterior are typically detail may flat includewith punched, ornate doors, often framed by pilasters, columns, arcades, or door surrounds, and large chimneys. Wood detailing is infrequent and is typically reserved for rafter tails, heavy timber brackets supporting cantilevered balconies, wood casement windows, window shutters, or balcony railings. The Mediterranean style is inclusive of the Spanish Revival style, often sharing features of Spanish architecture.

Summary of identifying features of the Mediterranean style:

• Shallow slope tile roof with Roman or Mission tiles, laid irregularly • Flat roof parapets articulated as an extension of the exterior wall • Flat roofs occupied as balconies or terraces • Exterior walls that convey a sense of mass and weight • Stucco exterior walls, often in pastel hues • Arched windows and arched doorways. Exterior doors are often made from wood, and windows sometimes have wooden shutters. • Wrought iron window grilles and balconies

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 21 Craftsman Craftsman architecture highlights natural materials and simplicity. Building design typically features a low-pitched roof, projecting eaves, shingle siding, gables and dormers accentuated with decorative trim, and open porches with overhanging beams and exposed rafters. Porches are often supported with square or round columns and stone supports. Houses also often include occupied attic space with dormer win- - ly to a one-and-a-half story house with sloping roofs and eaves, unenclosed rafters, and dormer window overdows. the The main style portion commonly of the known house. as Bungalows the Bungalow commonly is related have to thewood Craftsman shingle, horizontalStyle, and refers siding specifical or stucco exteriors, as well as brick or stone exterior chimneys and a partial-width front porch.

Summary of identifying features of the Craftsman style:

• Low sloped roof with smaller gable over the porch • A shed roof facing the front with a broad dormer for an upper story room • A mixing of inside and outside spaces, such as a veranda, open or enclosed porches, and rooms projecting outside the body in porches or bay windows • Porches with a battered base or porch piers • Rafters, roof brackets, ridge beams, broad eaves and purlins extending beyond the walls and roof and painted to contrast with the walls • A smaller low-pitched gable frequently over the front porch • • A variety of window sizes More than one material serving to divide the main floor from the second story •

Wood shingles, stucco, brick or stone exterior finishes

22 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Ranch pitched and have either a hipped gable (most common), cross-gable, or side-gable with a moderate to wideRanch eave houses overhang. are noted Front for andtheir side long, windows close-to-the-ground are typically profilehorizontal and widein orientation, open plans. and Roofs may are include low- large picture windows in the front. Cladding is usually in wood and/or brick. Decorative elements are ranch house, often built on hillside areas. In split-level home, a garage is a prominent feature of the home, andmodest, on top often of thelimited garage to false is another shutters story, on windows. generally Thewith split-level bedrooms. home Exterior is essentially steps provide a modification access to ofthe a mainSummary entrance of identifying and living features floor. of the Ranch style:

• Moderate or wide-eave overhang • • Long, low-pitch roofline with cross-gabled, side-gabled or hip roof • Attached garage Asymmetrical, U- or L-shaped floor plan • Windows with a large glass area, sometimes accentuated with false shutters • Mixed material exteriors of stucco and brick, wood or stone

Farmhouse

ofFarmhouse this style. architecture Details may isinclude defined an by entry simple, court; rectangular breezeways floor or plans.open-air Front walkways; porches colors with wood such columns,as white, gray,masonry brown, base or accents, black; shutters; simple massing, metal roofs; a clean and roofline, limited stone and an accents. open floor plan are typical components

Summary of identifying features of Farmhouse architecture:

• • Decorative vented cupolas High pitched roofline with gabled, hipped, shed, or a simple single primary roof • Covered porches with square posts and brackets • Regularly placed and shaped multi-paned windows that are vertically oriented with divided lites

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 23 Tudor Tudor homes are characterized by solid masonry, steep roof with cross gables, and elaborate forms and decorations. Casement windows often grouped in rows of three or more and decorative half-timbering accentuate the façade. The structure features asymmetrical designs in both the façade and layout. Brick

create a balanced design. Weatherboard or shingled walls with stucco and stone are also common mate- rialslaid in used elaborate on a Tudor patterns style on house. the first story and stucco or wood with decorative trim on the second story

Summary of identifying features of Tudor architecture:

• Steeply pitched roof lines • Facade dominated by one or more front-facing gables • Roof gable dormers • Decorative half-timbering (usually upper stories) • Stone, stucco, or brick cladding between half-timber boards • Neutral color pallet (browns, tans, white, and cream) • Massive chimneys

Mid-Century Modern The Mid-Century Modern style is characterized by clean lines, organic and streamlined forms, and lack of embellishment. Distinguishing features include a classic, understated look, and clean lines with minimal fuss. Uncluttered and sleek lines with both organic and geometric forms, minimal ornamentation, and the juxtaposition of tradition materials such as wood with non-traditional materials such as metal, glass, -

cleanvinyl, geometricplywood.. Eichlerlines . The homes houses are exhibit known few, for ifflat any, roofs, street-facing glass walls, windows; post-and-beam instead, facadesconstruction, have small, exte ceiling-levelriors featuring windows flat and/or or small, low-sloping asymmetrical A-framed windows roofs, with vertical frosted wood glass. siding, and spartan facades with

Summary of identifying features of the Mid-Century Modern style:

• Large wrap-around windows • bands with low-relief carving Smooth wall finishes with minimal articulation limited to carved panels by doors or windows or • Horizontal rows of windows or decorative bands and glass blocks for windows • Aluminum or stainless steel trim for windows, doors and railings • Colors typically range from neutral to bold, with graphic use of black and white

24 | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Contemporary Contemporary architecture is architecture of the present day, as opposed to that of a particular archi- break with past traditions, styles and standards. In this sense, Contemporary architecture is not a “style”; rather,tectural it movement. is an adherence It reflects to certain a concern principles, for the designopinions values and valuesand even of thematerials. present Contemporary and a willingness archi to- tecture exhibits clean lines, rounded spaces and uses unconventional or industrial building materials, rejecting designs that are ornate, that use resources that are expensive to produce, or that damage the en- vironment. Glass, metal, concrete, steel, and reclaimed materials are common building materials. Large windows and lots of them are characteristic of contemporary architecture, with large panels of glass that create opportunities for natural light, passive solar heating and the feel of openness.

Summary of identifying features of Contemporary architecture:

• Flat or angular roofs • Deep open eaves and roof overhangs act as awnings • An irregular, asymmetrical facade • Strong emphasis on geometric shapes • Large windows and clerestory windows • Use of recycled building materials • At least two stories • Neutral tones (grays, browns, blacks and whites) • Flat or angular roofs • Views and solar orientation direction often dictate the placement of windows or walls

REDWOOD CITY CITYWIDE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES | OCTOBER 2020 DRAFT | 25