The purpose of this chapter is to create a zoning overlay district with regulations which will implement the goals and policies of the general plan as they relate to maintaining the highly aesthetic, rural character of the Foothill Road corridor. This corridor is designated an "area of special concern" in the land use element, and the combination of residential densities allowed in the general plan is designed to form a complementary pattern of development and conservation which will provide Pleasanton with opportunities for custom homes, recreation, open space and preservation of the city's most visible resource. This zoning overlay district will assure that development along this corridor is consistent with the goals and policies of the general plan and thereby promotes and protects the health, safety, comfort, appearance and general welfare of the community.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
There is created a zoning overlay district known as the West Foothill Road corridor overlay district (hereinafter referred to as "district"), the boundaries of which are as follows:
All that land bounded as follows: Foothill Road on the east, the northern boundary of lands of East Bay Regional Park district approximately 1,500 feet south of Verona Road on the south, the 670-foot elevation contour line on the west except in the northwest corner where it shall be the property line betweens lands of Presley Homes and lands of Panganiban, and Dublin Canyon Road on the north excluding lands planned for commercial uses; all as more precisely shown on Exhibit A, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter, and incorporated herein by reference, appearing on the maps following this chapter.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
A. 
The regulations applicable to the district contained in this chapter are in addition to the regulations otherwise applicable to the area within the district; provided, however, that where regulations conflict, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
B. 
In the event the underlying zoning of properties within the district is changed, this district shall remain in effect unless the rezoning action specifically removes the properties from this district.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
A. 
All properties within the district which have approved PUD development plans, prior to the adoption of this district, shall be allowed to develop in accordance with the provisions of their development plans. To the extent those development plans require subsequent discretionary city approval, the city reviewing boards and commissions shall attempt to meet the spirit of this district's regulations in the context of allowing development in accordance with the approved PUD development plans.
B. 
Existing lots of record as of the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be developed with structures in accordance with the regulations of the underlying zoning rather than within the regulations included in this district; however, the city reviewing boards and commissions shall attempt to meet the spirit of this district's regulations in the context of allowing structures to be built in accordance with the existing underlying zoning regulations.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
The requirements of this district shall be implemented by city reviewing boards, commissions and officials, in conjunction with their review of projects otherwise required by this code. Review of projects shall include, but not be limited by, PUD development plans, design review, tentative subdivisions and building permits. The reviewing boards, commissions and officials may approve projects which do not comply with strict technical standards of this chapter upon making a finding that the design of the project as a whole is consistent with the highly aesthetic, rural character of the Foothill Road corridor.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
The city council, following recommendations by the planning commission, may adopt by resolution design guidelines for the district. Such guidelines may be amended from time to time following the same procedure. city staff, boards and commissions shall adhere to the adopted guidelines in reviewing all applications for permits.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
The following regulations shall apply to lots adjoining Foothill Road or any frontage road adjacent to Foothill Road, when feasible, in order to achieve the purposes of the district. These requirements shall apply to the first tier of lots along Foothill Road and shall not apply to lots located westerly of the first tier of lots:
A. 
Lot Size Regulations. The minimum lot size shall be 30,000 square feet in area. Variation in lot sizes shall be encouraged. Lot width and depth shall be sufficient to allow the main building to be sited in a manner consistent with front and side yard setback and main structure separation requirements.
B. 
Setback From Foothill Road. No structure shall be located closer than 150 feet to the westerly edge of the Foothill Road edge of pavement, back of curb, or back of curb as established by an approved alignment plan.
C. 
Side Yard Setbacks. Side yard setbacks shall be a minimum of 25 feet. Main structures with a building elevation facing Foothill Road of between 80 to 100 feet in width shall have side yard setbacks of a minimum 45 feet. Main structures wider than one hundred feet shall have minimum side yard setbacks of 75 feet.
D. 
Main Structure Height. The maximum height for any structure shall be 30 feet, measured vertically from the lowest point of the structure to the highest point of the structure, excluding towers, spires, cupolas, chimneys and other such uninhabitable projections.
(Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)
The following standards should be followed, when feasible, in any development within the district in order to achieve the purposes of this district:
A. 
Open Space Between Lot Clusters. Lots created along Foothill Road, or any frontage road parallel to Foothill Road, shall be clustered such that natural open space a minimum of 200 feet in width shall separate clusters of lots. No more than three lots may exist in a cluster of lots.
B. 
Prohibition on Foreridge Development. Building sites within lots shall not be allowed if they are located on or near ridges which do not have a background of Pleasanton or Main Ridges when viewed from Foothill Road. Landscaping in the form of mature trees may be an allowable background for such ridgeline sites if the decision-making body finds that the landscaping will preclude the structure from dominating the skyline as viewed from Foothill Road.
C. 
Access/Frontage Improvements. Use of individual driveways intersecting directly onto Foothill Road should be prohibited; combined, common-access driveways serving more than one lot shall be encouraged. Use of frontage roads should be encouraged where topography, grading and similar considerations make such roadways feasible.
D. 
Landscaping. Mature, native trees within the district shall be retained to the maximum extent feasible. Where feasible, mature oak and other native species should be relocated to grassland areas planned for development in order to soften the effect of new development with the corridor. New development landscaping shall be predominantly native plant species in areas visible from Foothill Road, with lawn or turf areas in landscape schemes adjacent to Foothill Road either eliminated or hidden by native landscaping.
E. 
Retaining Walls. Retaining walls visible from Foothill Road should be faced with materials compatible with the natural setting, such as natural stone or wood. Where feasible, retaining walls should be stepped. Landscaping shall be incorporated to minimize adverse visual impacts, with planting in front of walls, within stepped recesses and/or overhanging the wall.
F. 
Fencing. Open fencing shall be required, except that solid, privacy fencing may be allowed in areas of a lot not within required yard areas if it is screened with landscaping.
(Ord. 2216 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1468 § 1, 1990)