Sierra Madre Congregational and Residential Overlay Zones

As part of satisfying its 6th Cycle Housing Element Regional Housing Needs Assessment and in response to our proposed Overlay Zone in neighboring Pasadena, the City of Sierra Madre requested the development of a Congregational Overlay Zone. The Arroyo Group was tasked with providing the City with a zoning code amendment that is effective at encouraging housing developments that have a harmonious relationship with religious congregations and neighborhoods. First, the Arroyo Group conducted a full review of the City of Sierra Madre’s zoning code along with visits to congregational sites for meetings with leaders and City staff. Next the Arroyo Group developed four affordable development concepts on four individual congregational sites in the City. After receiving direction from the City development standards were extracted from the development concepts, including height limits, parking requirements, setbacks, transitional height requirements, and more. The final deliverable was a draft zoning code amendment that encourages affordable housing developments on congregational land.

The City then requested the development of standards for a high-density overlay zone which would be contextually sensitive. The Arroyo Group based its code amendment on physical test-fits drawing from a survey of nearby multifamily developments which successfully integrate into a village environment. Visualizations were also developed to illustrate the potential development concepts on various sites in the City.