City of Calabasas
Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards
A clear set of architectural and site design requirements for two distinct categories that largely capture aesthetic understandings of the City's design quality: the Old West in Old Town Calabasas and a Mediterranean design spirit for other buildings.
A Site Analysis Report at the start of the project provided an overview of existing City of Calabasas documentation relevant to the project, built-form characteristics of multifamily and mixed-use observed on a site visit with City staff, and massing case studies on vacant Calabasas sites. The findings in the report shaped the areas of focus in the ODS exercise.
An online survey, joint study sessions with the Calabasas Architectural Review Panel and Planning Commission, and a community workshop allowed for public and decision-maker feedback at key milestones of the project. The survey asked Calabasas residents to rate precedent multifamily and mixed-use projects from other cities by their design components, such as building roofs, massing, materials, colors, and landscaping. The least favorable precedent images were later used to depict how the ODS would alter the project to meet Calabasas character and quality.
An Appendix at the back of the document consists of Tree and Plant Lists correlated to the Landscape ODS. The selection of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses, and ground covers are primarily California native plants related to the local California Oak Woodland and Chaparral eco-habitats. A pre-approved list of tree and plant species provides reassurance that the landscaping of ministerially-approved projects are appropriate for Calabasas.
