TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH RRM DESIGN GROUP FOR OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
Body
SUMMARY
Recent changes to California housing law require cities to adopt objective design standards to retain authority over the design and review of qualifying housing developments. The State mandates that local governments evaluate these projects using only measurable, objective criteria. Without locally adopted objective standards, the City must rely on baseline State rules, limiting its ability to shape development consistent with Claremont’s character. The development of objective design standards for multi-family and mixed-use development will help ensure that Claremont’s architectural and planning values are preserved while complying with State law.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with RRM Design Group in the amount of $188,474 to prepare objective design standards, and authorize a ten percent contingency of $18,847, for a total authorized amount of $207,321.
Body
ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The City issued an RFP, which resulted in the estimated costs for developing objective design standards of $188,474 plus a ten percent contingency of $18,847 for a total estimated cost of $207,321. Funding for the proposed agreement with RRM Design Group is available in the operating budget of the City’s Planning Division.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this project is estimated at $7,500 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
The development of objective design standards is a state-mandated requirement under recent California housing legislation, including SB 35, SB 330, and the Housing Accountability Act. These laws require local agencies to review eligible housing projects using only objective, measurable standards. Cities that do not adopt such standards risk losing local control over the design and review of residential development.
Failure to establish objective design standards would leave the City without enforceable criteria when reviewing ministerial or streamlined housing projects, including those invoking SB 35. By adopting locally tailored standards, the City can retain some level of design oversight while complying with state law.
To begin this effort, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in June 2025 and received seven proposals from qualified consulting firms. Staff conducted a thorough evaluation of the proposals and selected three finalists for interviews in October 2025. Following those interviews, staff determined that RRM Design Group was the most qualified firm and clearly aligned with the City’s goals for developing context-sensitive, implementable objective design standards.
RRM Design Group is uniquely qualified to lead this effort, having prepared similar standards for cities including Dublin, Carlsbad, and Goleta. The scope of work includes:
• Background research and document review
• A windshield survey and staff-led design brainstorming session
• Preparation of a draft Objective Design Standards document with illustrative graphics
• Creation of a six to ten page design guide showcasing up to three architectural styles
• Community outreach, including a public open house and presentations to the Architectural and Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council
• Finalization of the standards and project coordination throughout
Approval of this agreement will allow staff and RRM to initiate work in late 2025 and complete adoption of the standards by the end of 2026.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: General Plan and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Alex Cousins
Community Development Director Senior Management Analyst