MCR01-25 — Objective Design Standards Phase 2, Part 2
Lafayette
Description
The second half of the city's Objective Design Standards for multifamily and mixed-use buildings, adding rules on building massing, upper-story stepbacks, parking screening, open space, fire safety, and street trees — recommended with an 18-square-foot window maximum and softened Zone Zero planter rules.
Impact summary
Every future apartment or mixed-use project will be measured against this checklist — no flat roofs above two stories, capped window glass, screened parking, and materials requirements — though density-bonus projects can still waive elements.
Applicant
- Name
- City of Lafayette
At a glance
- Hearings
- 2
- Public comments
- 4
- Total mentions
- 2
Last vote · Planning Commission
A recommendation, not a final decision. The council decides next.
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 19, 2026.
Meeting timeline (2)
Planning Commission - Oct 19, 2026
The second half of the city's Objective Design Standards for multifamily and mixed-use buildings, adding rules on building massing, upper-story stepbacks, parking screening, open space, fire safety, and street trees — recommended with an 18-square-foot window maximum and softened Zone Zero planter rules.
Planning Commission - Sep 8, 2026
A new code chapter (6-39) setting objective design standards for all multifamily (3+ units) and residential mixed-use projects, recommended to City Council with revisions after a bifurcated process tied to the Hack settlement.
Related issues (3)
Window size limits in new Objective Design Standards
Residents pressed the Council to stop delaying the design standards that shape what new buildings look like. The Council chose to adopt most of Phase 2 this summer and defer density-sensitive sections until the fall upzoning.
Zone Zero fire-safety landscaping rules in the Objective Design Standards
The city is writing the rules for what new multi-family and mixed-use buildings will look like — roof forms, window sizes, and how much glass a façade can have. Residents pushed for stricter rules to protect Lafayette's semi-rural character, and the Council lowered the glass limit to 35% and restricted shed roofs before introducing the ordinance.
Window pane size dispute between council and commission
The City Council recently cut the maximum single window pane from 18 to 6 square feet, and commissioners across the board called that 'ridiculously small.' The commission formally recommended restoring 18 square feet in its ODS recommendation, giving the council a clear signal.
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