Guadalupe River Park & Gardens River Park & Garden River Park & Gardens River Park & Garden delines dalupe River DESIGN GUIDELINES GUADALUPE RIVER PARK & GARDENS Section I. Introduction

Guadalupe River Park & Gardens River Park & Garden

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DESIGN GUIDELINES

GUADALUPE RIVER PARK & GARDENS

Section I. Introduction (p. 1)

Section II. Design Goals and Principles(p. 3)

A. Promotethe Ecology (p. 4)

B. Expand the River (p. 4)

C. Extendthe City (p. 5)

Section III. Parkwide Design Guidelines (p. 6)

A. Open Space (p. 7)open spaceorganization 7paesos 8courtyard & plazas 10overlooks/roof terraces 11public art 11landscape elements 11native riparian flora 12setbacks 12pathways and walkways 12drainage/erosion 13lighting 13pedestrian bridges 13site furnishings 14signage 15public safety 15

B. Site Organization (p. 15)block development 16setback requirements 16street and riverfrontage 17river edge reinforcement options 18important intersections 19corner zones atstreet edges 20

C. Views (p. 21)

D. Building Massingand Orientation (p. 22)scale/building bulk 22height 22height variety 22building base 23roofscape 24sun and shadow 24

E. Building Articulation (p. 25)visual interest 25pedestrian entries 26architectural details/materials 26

F. Parking (p. 27)site organization 28parking entries 28edges 29public use and access 29lighting 30landscaping 30

URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES


Section IV. Specific Site Area Guidelines(p. 31)

A. Area 1 (p. 32)programs and activities 32connections 32setback requirements 33

B. Area 2 (p. 34)programs and activities 34connections 34Water Co. Buildings 35freeway site 35connections 35street edges 35open space character 35setback requirements 36

C. Area 3 (p. 37)setback requirements 37programs and activities 37Autumn Street 37connections 38street frontage 38open space character 38

D. Area 4 (p. 39)site organization 39programs and activities 39connections 40parking 40setback requirements 40

Section V. Definition of Terms (glossary)(p. 41)

Section VI. Developer Checklist(attachment)



The Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Design Guidelines were adoptedby the San Jose Redevelopment Agency Board and San Jose City Councilon October 7, 2003



I. Introduction

The Guadalupe River Park holds a special placewithin downtown San Jose. A natural demarcationmeandering along the edge of downtown, it estab-lishes a vital pedestrian corridor, allocates scarceopen space, and visually connects the urban corewith the Arena and Diridon districts. It is a naturalasset with the potential for creating a richer urbanenvironment. It offers serene nature within steps ofthe urban pulse of a major American city.

The Guadalupe River Park fuses a natural habitatresource with flood control protection. As the city’sedge is extended to meet the river, design guidelineshelp to ensure that new development embraces thisvaluable natural resource. The River Park UrbanDesign Guidelines (guidelines) that comprise thisdocument offer a coordinated preview of what willphysically come to be. At the same time, the designguidelines provide a framework to better ensure thatthe extraordinary levels of time and money investedin this project will be optimized.

These guidelines acknowledge the city's RiparianCorridor Policy Study, but do not attempt to adhereto its more stringent standards. Rather, these guide-lines target the downtown area and recognize thearea as one of more intensive use, in greater proxim-ity to humans and other causes of disturbance. Assuch, this policy replaces the policies of theRiparian Corridor Policy Study for the downtownriver corridor between Interstate 280 and ColemanAvenue. These guidelines are an attempt at a best-available compromise to preserve what remains ofthe river's pristine nature, while allowing the riverarea to become the site of increased developmentand human settlement. Outside of the downtownarea, the Riparian Corridor Policy Study is theapplicable reference document.

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An aerial view of the River Park development area

October 7, 2003

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The Guadalupe River Park Urban Design Guidelineshave their origins in the urban design goals andprinciples and established in the Greater San JoseDowntown 2000 Strategy Plan, the master documentfor development activities in the downtown.Additionally, the design guidelines build on previ-ous master plan efforts for the Guadalupe RiverPark.

This vision for the Guadalupe River Park empha-sizes a livable, walkable, urban community that isoriented to the river and the surrounding streets. TheGuadalupe River Park Urban Design Guidelinesserve as a framework for carrying out the vision forhow development should look, function, and feel.

Projects Subject to these Guidelines:

1. Any development application pursuant to Title20 or 23 of the Municipal Code will be subjectto these Guidelines.

2. Subsequent to the approval of these guidelines,if a development permit expires, any new pro-posed development permit will be subject tothese guidelines.

Projects Exempt from these Guidelines:

1. Any building or structure built pursuant to anapproved development permit.

2. Any development project having an approveddevelopment permit prior to the adoption ofthese guidelines by the City Council including,but not limited to, a Site Development Permit,Conditional Use Permit, PD Zoning or PDPermit.

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The Urban Design Guidelines have been organizedin six parts:

Section I. Introduction (p.1)

Section II. Design Goals and Principles(p. 3)

Section III. Parkwide Design Guidelines (p. 6)

Section IV. Specific Site Area Guidelines(p. 31)

Section V. Definition of Terms(p. 41)

Section VI. Developer Checklist(attachment)

Introduction (cont.)



II. Design Goals and Principles

Future development along the Guadalupe River Parkwill in many ways shape and form the visual andphysical character of the park and the downtown formany generations. It is important that the goals andprinciples for new development be established as anoverall guide for the process before developmentguidelines are set.

The following development goals and design themessupport the vision of the park and have been devel-oped in coordination with citizens groups and priormaster plans for the Guadalupe River Park:

• Acknowledging the river as an important naturalresource deserving enjoyment of future genera-tions, development should promote the ecologyof the river

• Development should create new open spaceopportunities within the park and therebyexpand the river

• Outlying blocks in the downtown should bedeveloped so as to meet the river and therebyextend the city and the urban life of downtownto and across the river

A more in-depth overview for the goals and princi-ples for the guidelines follows.

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The Guadalupe River Park is an important naturalresource, flood control infrastructure, and visualamenity for the city



A. Promote the Ecology

New development along the river should preserveand restore the ecology and sustainability of theGuadalupe River System.

This goal recognizes the regional and local ecologi-cal significance of the river and its importance as adefining feature for the City. This goal consists ofthe following principles:

•Protect and restore riparian habitat

•Respect flood control efforts along the river

•Preserve and enhance the ecological functionof the river

•Promote ideas of stewardship andsustainability

B. Expand the River

New development should be designed to integratethe Guadalupe River into the city

This goal aims to highlight the added value the riverbrings to downtown and the assets it offers for resi-dents, workers, and visitors to the area. This goal isbased on the following principles:

•Reinforce visual connections to the river

•Expand public connections and access intothe city

•Preserve, enhance, and connect the existingopen space system

•Create adjacent open spaces and developmentthat enhance the natural qualities of theriver

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Expand the open space features of the river intothe surrounding fabric of the city

Promote the ecology of the river

Design Goals and Principles (cont.)



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C. Extend the City

New development along the river should bring thecharacter of downtown San Jose to the edge of theGuadalupe River Park. Ideally this will be donesuch that new development will promote andenhance the pedestrian experience, the vehicularexperience, and the experience of the river fromadjacent development.

The river’s presence should extend beyond the hardedges of development so as to blur the distinctionbetween the rivershed and the built environment.This can be realized by requiring nearby develop-ment to integrate its landscape and design themewith that of the River Park.

This goal aims to extend the river’s presence so thatit becomes inseparable from the identity and activityof the downtown. This goal is based on the follow-ing principles:

•Extend the fabric of the city to the park

•Achieve an urban, downtown character in new development

•Enhance the quality of the pedestrianexperience

•Preserve and enhance public connections to the river

•Reinforce east-west pedestrian connectionsacross the river

Design Goals and Principles (cont.)

The Guadalupe River Park provides a great varietyof open spaces



III. Parkwide Design Guidelines

The purpose of the Parkwide Design Guidelines isto provide design standards for new developmentwithin and near the River Park. These guidelinesestablish design expectations and serve to provide acontinuous built theme while allowing for develop-ment that is phased and constructed by numerousinvestors.

These guidelines build upon six major urban designcategories that provide a framework for the futuredesign of Guadalupe River Park and vicinity.

The six major urban design categories of the guide-lines are:

A. Open Space

B. Site Organization

C. Views: Into, Out of or Through Development

D. Building Massing and Orientation

E. Building Articulation

F. Parking

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Providing a variety of open spaces and connectionsis essential to promoting the vitality of any newdevelopment. A network of varied open spaces suchas mid-block walkways (paseos), plazas, and land-scaped courtyards, and roof gardens provide pedes-trian connections. Frequent vistas that bring theriver into view provide for a feeling of contact withthe water. Similarly, these open spaces create viewsinto the city from the river, allowing a person to feela connection to the downtown life of San Jose.

Open Space Organization

Open space within each development shall beprimarily oriented toward the river through pub-licly-accessible landscaped courtyards, paseos,plazas, and arcades.

1.) Each development shall have at least 25 percentof its lot coverage devoted to publicly-accessibleopen space that is open to the sky, inclusive of set-back areas required for the riverwalk, mid-blockwalkways, and project-specific open spaces.

2.) For development on parcels not immediatelyadjacent to the river, the configuration of openspaces and walkways should reinforce visual and/orpedestrian connections to the river.

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Parkwide Design Guidelines (cont.)

A. Open Space

The Guadalupe River Park creates a linked systemof public parks, plazas, and play areas that provide awonderful variety of public amenities and spaces forpassive and active recreation that lend character tothe park. In order to expand open space opportuni-ties, new development should complement the parkby creating strong public connections to theseamenities through mid-block paseos, courtyards ori-ented toward the river, and paseos that relate theinterior of a development site to the open space net-work.

Landscaped areas provide a sense of natural beautyand openness, encourage continuity between devel-opments, and enhance the visual quality of the entirepark. A variety of landscape elements can break upthe monotony of the paved and built edges, screenundesirable views, provide essential shade and oxy-gen, and provide habitats for a variety of species.The use of riparian and other native landscape mate-rials helps to enhance and expand the visual charac-ter of the river and preserves and promotes the sen-sitive natural ecology.

The Center for Performing Arts has a generous landscaped plaza that is integrated with the riverwalk



Paseos

Paseos provide public access, reduce the scale oflarger development parcels, and reinforce pedes-trian connections in the city and to the river.

1.) Paseo requirements are triggered when develop-ment sites exceed 175 linear feet of river frontage. Aminimum of one pedestrian paseo open to the sky isrequired.

1a.) Within a single development, there should beone paseo for every 400 linear feet of river frontage.

2.) Development sites not directly fronting the rivertrigger paseo requirements when street frontageexceeds 300 linear feet. A minimum of one pedestri-an paseo accessing the river and open to the sky isrequired.

2a.) An additional paseo is required for any frontagethat exceeds the 300 linear foot threshold by morethan 100 feet (i.e. a single development thatexceeds 400 feet of frontage, but is less than 800linear feet, shall require two paseos). An additionalpaseo is required for each additional 400 linear feetof street frontage.

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3.) Paseo public access through parcels, leading toand from the river, shall be publicly accessible dur-ing daylight hours.

Individual parcels having contiguous frontage alongthe Guadalupe River shall be eligible for considera-tion of a single development approval. Opportunitiesfor exceptional design should not be constrained byrigid application of the guidelines, provided the pro-

posed design meets or exceeds the spirit and intentof the guidelines.

For such projects, the applicant may request areview based on the following performance criteria:

The determination of project approval shall be madeby the decision making body and shall be based on acomparison of the project as it would be designed toconform to the specifications of the guidelines.Guideline criteria shall be applied where no specificstandards are established by the guidelines.

Create mid-block paseos and open spaces thatconnect between the river and the city




Paseos (cont.) Paseos should be strategically located at regularintervals to create pleasant and inviting passagewaysthat provide utility and connect areas of pedestrianactivity to the river. Paseos should serve the dualpurpose of accommodating the natural flow ofpedestrian traffic and as destinations, offering suchamenities as outdoor dining and sitting areas sup-ported by vistas, tables for board and card games,sun and shade, landscape, sculpture and fountains.Private courtyards and plazas may be incorporatedinto the design as gracious spaces.

Setbacks may vary in depth in order to create dis-tinctive spaces that add variety to the pedestrianexperience, provided that pedestrian movement ornatural habitat are not compromised. Spaces createdshall not be mere residual considerations that resultfrom the placement of the building. The variationsin setback depth shall be used to create spaces thatare intentional and function as private plazas andcourtyards and enclaves for sitting and landscaping.Setbacks must conform to the minimum require-ments specified for each sub-area identified in theseguidelines.

New development and improvements should incor-porate, wherever possible, existing city and regionalpedestrian and bike trail systems, providing conven-ient access via mid-block walkways.

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Open space should be oriented primarily toward theriver through new courtyards, plazas and mid-blockpaseos



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Courtyards and Plazas

Private courtyards facing the river are encour-aged so as to forge a hospitable setting for pedes-trians on the riverwalk. These areas should bedesigned so as to provide valuable visual accessfrom public spaces and to accentuate the river’spresence. Landscaping should be compatible withthe natural vegetation and bucolic river environ-ment.

Private open space should enhance public openspace areas via design features such as open spacevistas, enhanced walkways and pedestrian linkages,and the incorporation of similar landscape elements.(See Section C Site Organization for specificdetails.)

Water features such as fountains and small water-courses are encouraged to provide visual interest.

Boundaries between private areas and the riverwalkshall be constructed of attractive material such asdecorative metal or vegetation and shall be of aheight not exceeding 43 inches in accordance withexisting River Park trail system railing standards.Chain link fencing is not permitted.

Allowing views from the river into private court-yards can greatly expand the open space characterof the river

Courtyards can perceptually and physicallyconnect the river to development

Distinctive water features in public spaces reinforceconnections to the Guadalupe River Park



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Overlooks/Roof TerracesDevelopment should incorporate overlooks andlandscaped roof terraces as a means to createvisual pedestrian connections and enhance theoverall spatial and visual character of the river.(See Building Massing and Orientation section(page 22) for more detail.)

Roofs should be designed as a “fifth facade” for thecity. Because the Guadalupe River Park is within theflight path and visible from the air, care should betaken to design a roofscape that adds not only to theriver, but to the entire city. Roofs with landscapeelements and architectural character should be con-sidered in roofscape design.

Public Art

Public art related to the river can contribute greatlyto the overall public quality of the riverwalk. If aproposed project along the riverwalk is covered bythe city’s Public Art Program, art elements shouldbe incorporated into the project in a manner thathighlights the river and its proximity.

Landscape Elements

To best expand the perceptual reach of theGuadalupe River Park, preserve view corridorsto and from the park, and reinforce the overalldesign quality of its landscape features, nativeriparian features and mature trees are recom-mended for new development.

1.) Create areas of distinct character through use oflandscaping and paving materials that relate to theoverall character of the Guadalupe River Park andare suitable for the climate, geology, and topographyof the site.

Allow development to overlook the river throughterraces or other features that open out onto the river

Roof terraces can provide wonderful views of theriver



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Landscape Elements (cont.) 2.) Continuous canopy trees should be used to pro-vide shade and weather protection for pedestrians.Shade trees should be planted on an average of 25feet on center, but clustering is allowed and encour-aged.

3.) The size of box trees planted within developmentsites and parking areas shall be a minimum of a 36inch box, with sufficient soil depth provided toensure adequate growth and health for planting with-in open space on roof decks.

4.) Adequate room for tree growth should be provid-ed so that tree roots will not damage structures orwalks and for maintenance (minimum 2 times theroot ball of the tree).

5.) The use of vegetated trellises is encouraged onwalls and rooftops to expand the natural character ofthe river into development.

6.) Street trees are required along all streets andshall conform to the standards and types set forth inthe San Jose Downtown Streetscape Master Plan.

Native Riparian Flora

Native plant species, preferably grown from theGuadalupe watershed, are the only permissiblechoice of flora from the river’s edge to the top ofbank. In the zone from top of bank to buildingfrontage, non-invasive, non-native plant specieswhich preserve the river's ecological balance andincrease its visual quality may be allowable sub-ject to review.

Setbacks

To ensure the continuity of the Guadalupe RiverPark and riverwalk and to protect riparian habi-tat values, all development that abuts the rivershould include an open space setback of a mini-mum of 25 feet measured from the top of bankalong its length to the edge of a building, unlessotherwise noted in the Area Guidelines of thisdocument.

The remaining setback area shall be planted innative riparian flora.

The design of this setback area should reflect thedesign character and palette of the GuadalupeRiver Park riverwalk system.

Pathways and Walkways

A public walk of a minimum 12-foot width alongthe development frontage shall be provided. The12 foot width shall count toward the setbackrequirement and shall allow for a continuousriver trail. The exception to the pathway widthrequirement shall be any instance in which siteconditions prohibit placement along the river.

All open spaces and pathways associated with thedevelopment should be connected either visually orphysically to the River Park trail system.If the trail cannot run adjacent to the river, a paral-lel trail shall be provided.

All trails and sidewalks shall conform to existingriverwalk construction details and ADA standards.

A typical section of pathway along the river



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Pedestrian BridgesTo better promote east-west connections, pedes-trian bridges across the river are encouraged,particularly in the locations indicated below.

Bridges should be of a graceful and transparentmaterial so as to minimize the visual impact of thesestructures and to allow views of the river and sur-rounding environment.

Bridge illumination shall cast lighting solely onpedestrian areas, not on river or surrounding vegetation.


Drainage/ErosionNatural materials and riparian vegetation shouldbe used for soil stability and to prevent excesserosion and run-off into the river which isexpressly prohibited.

Explore, where feasible, the development of innova-tive storm water run-off solutions.

Each parcel, as it is developed, shall be carefullyevaluated for subsurface drainage quality. The pro-gram of soil preparation, drainage, and plant selec-tion should be adapted to these specific environmen-tal conditions.

LightingLighting should be considered an integral designelement in the open space design of any develop-ment. It should help to define activity areas andprovide visual interest at night.

1.) All pedestrian areas should be well-lighted withattractive light fixtures of a minimum average 2-footcandles and an absolute minimum of 1-foot candle.Care should be taken to avoid excessive contrastbetween lighted and non-lighted spaces.

2.) All fixtures within any public open space or mid-block passage shall be subject to review by the cityof San Jose for design integration and conformancewith acceptable lighting standards.

3.) All light fixtures along the riverwalk shall con-form to River Park fixture, placement, and construc-tion standards.

4.) Dark areas within spaces, nooks, and other areaswithout clear sightlines should be minimized whileremaining sensitive to the nocturnal habits of nativespecies of plants and animals.

5.) Lighting should be provide so as to ensure safeand convenient walkways while minimizing directlight on the river and glare on adjacent properties. Potential new pedestrian bridge locations


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Site Furnishings

The design and placement of site furnishings areessential elements that will determine the publiccharacter and walkability of new development.Site furnishings should contribute to an attrac-tive and pleasant walking environment that mini-mizes pedestrian obstructions and promotespedestrian safety.

Site furnishing should promote a sense of continuityand consistency with the adjacent River Park site. Atthe same time, individual developments are encour-aged to select furniture that results in variety andinterest along the river.

Site furnishings within the riverwalk area shouldconform to the standards outlined in the River ParkPlan.

Furnishings should be clustered so as to define out-door use areas and avoid visual clutter. Furnishingsshould be sited to ensure a minimum 5-foot-wideunobstructed through-path on public sidewalks anda minimum 12-foot-wide unobstructed through-pathon the riverwalk at all times.

Sidewalk cafes, planters, benches, public art, andother pedestrian-oriented details installed by indi-vidual property owners are encouraged within thepublic right-of-way according to the guidelines out-lined in the San Jose Downtown Streetscape MasterPlan.

Site utility boxes, such as transformer vaults, shouldbe placed underground, integrated within the build-ing walls, or integrated into the overall street/sitefurnishing program. Freestanding utility boxes visi-ble from the riverwalk are not permitted.

All furnishings shall be subject to review by theRedevelopment Agency and the City as part of thedesign review process.

Thoughtfully selectedstreet furniture and artelements can greatlyenhance the public realm



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Development placed along city streets should holdthose edges in order to extend the downtown char-acter and promote a consistent sense of urban vitali-ty. Development along the river should extend out-ward in an inviting fashion in the form of court-yards, paseos, and landscape elements.


Signage

Interpretative, informative and directional signagethroughout the development parcels should be con-sistent and designed to complement the character ofthe Guadalupe River Park. All signage must be con-sistent with the Downtown Signage Master Plan andthe River Park Signage Master Plan.

Public Safety

All improvements shall ensure public safety inaccordance with established regulations of the Cityof San Jose and other applicable government enti-ties.

B. Site Organization

The site organization of new development is animportant component to how well it relates to openspace and encourages pedestrian activity. Good siteorganization is critical to establishing well-definedstreet edges, strong public access connectionsbetween the river and the city, and a clear relation-ship between semi-public and private open spacesand the river.

The intent of the site organization guidelines is todevelop a fine grain, mixed-use downtown that sup-ports and sustains urban life as outlined in theStrategy 2000 Plan.

Development facing the river should open out ontothe pedestrian walk through plazas, courtyards, andterraces

Development along streets should be built to theproperty line so as to “hold the street edge.”Doing so will foster an urban-scale downtown

Signage can enhance the park and adjacentdevelopment



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Block Development

Development within site areas should consist of several buildings clustered to support public andprivate spaces that relate to the river and the city.

Development should orient open space, such as pub-licly accessible courtyards and walkways, toward theriver; building facades should hold the street edge.

Setback Requirements

Buildings that front existing streets should holdthe street edge by orienting facades parallel to thestreet and river.

Developments should include an open space setbackof a minimum 25 feet measured from the top ofbank to the building edge. The exception being themore stringent requirements for certain river seg-ments as prescribed in the Specific Site AreaGuidelines section of this document (page 31). Thissetback area should include a public walk that is aminimum width of 12 feet along its length for a con-tinuous river trail, as described on page 12.

Do Not: Create buildings that stand within the blockand do not create urban edges along the street

Do: Development should hold the street edge whileinviting public access to the river

Example of how buildings hold the street the edgeand maximize usable open space



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Street and River Frontage

At the ground level, the design and scale of build-ing facades and sidewalks should enhance thepedestrian experience through visual stimulation,activity, comfort, and human scale.

1.) The placement of entrances, storefronts, displaywindows, double-height spaces, courtyards andpaseos along the river and streets all help to enlivenand enhance the pedestrian experience and should bea minimum of 75 percent of street and riverfrontage.

2.) Buildings at the ground level should create apedestrian scale by minimizing the use of unarticu-lated blank walls. Blank walls should incorporatearchitectural and landscape features of interest andutility such as seat walls and vertical trellises. (Seesection on Building Articulation (page 25) for sug-gested design character.)

3.) Corner treatments are especially important inestablishing an active urban presence for develop-ment. Corners should be prominent and marked bykey entrances, retail, and/or architectural detailing.Back-of-house functions such as servicing or exitstairs are not permitted at corner locations.

4.) Exhaust vents are not permitted on any groundfloor frontage whether facing a street or the river.

Create variety in facades for visual interest andpedestrian scale



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Courtyards may be landscaped, allowing the land-scape to expand further and instilling a sense ofnature into the development parcel.

Smaller plazas associated with mid-block passagescan open up onto the river and provide public gath-ering spots.

The use of arcades along the river can also help pro-mote interaction between the development and theriver’s edge.

River Edge Reinforcement Options

Given that open space should be oriented towardthe river, courtyards, walkways, and arcadesshould articulate the edge of development and theriverwalk.

These open space varieties may include privatecourtyards that allow people to peer into the rivercorridor, but are not publicly accessible.

Private courtyard overlooking river Use of landscaped courtyards toexpand the river landscape

Plaza and mid-block walkway Plaza with arcade



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Important Intersections

Major streets that cross the river serve as nodesof activity and identify the river as an importantzone of transition.

Building edges adjacent to a street and the riverhave place-making potential, provide transitionfrom the city to the river, and can lend visualcues accentuating the river within the city.

Ancillary BuildingsSmall stand-alone ancillary buildings are permittedin the river setback area along key east-west streetsin order to hold the street and generate pedestrianinterest and activity. Such ancillary buildings mayhave a footprint of up to 500 square feet. They pro-vide additional opportunities for the siting of cafes,water features, and public art.

East-West Connections

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Corner Zones at Street Edges

To encourage massing and architectural varietyalong street edges, buildings should hold thestreet wall at a corner for a minimum of 60 feet.

Corner development sites adjacent to the river andmajor streets, such as Santa Clara, San Fernando,and Julian streets, should consider design elementsthat draw people to the river’s edge and reinforceeast-west street connections.

Buildings may have corner setbacks at the riverintersection and should consider ancillary structuresin these setback areas. All new landscaping for theseareas shall conform to the City of San JoseDowntown Streetscape Plan.

Service and Equipment

Site or building equipment or service areas such asloading docks, utility meters, trash areas, and vent-ing shall not be visible from the Guadalupe RiverPark. They should be located out of sight and placedaway from the riverwalk.

No freestanding utility equipment is allowedbetween the building frontage and the river.

Building venting is not permitted adjacent to theriver.

Parking(See Section F Parking (page 27) for specific guide-lines.)

Small stand-alone building structures are permitted within and adjacent to the riverwalk atimportant intersections


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C. Views

Some of the most interesting and character lend-ing aspects of the river are the multiple vistasafforded by its serpentine course. These viewshelp to visually integrate the river and the cityand weave them together.

Views from and through new development intothe park offer visual connections, therebyexpanding the river’s reach into the city.Similarly, skyline vistas created by thoughtfuldevelopment remind park visitors of their urbansetting and the opportunities afforded for adven-ture.

New vantage points are created by windows, bal-conies, and terraces oriented toward importantpoints of interest such as the Guadalupe River, thehills that surround the city, and the downtown sky-line.

1.) View opportunities from the public way shouldbe identified by the developer for all major sitedevelopments before the onset of the project plan-ning.

2.) Placement of private spaces along the rivershould take advantage of existing views that includelandmark or natural features.

3.) Views into private courtyards, passages, entriesand other types of open space are encouraged asways to expand the visual open space character ofthe river. This can be accomplished through the useof transparent fence materials or landscaping and/orlow walls that are 42 inches or less in height.

Create view opportunities to and from the river

Take advantage of existing landmarks and overlookswithin view corridors

Create visual connections into courtyards



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D. Building Massing and Orientation

The character and visual quality of building mass-ing, orientation, and building base is critical toestablishing a comfortable scale at the GuadalupeRiver and its surrounding neighborhoods. To temperthe scale of development and create a pedestrianfriendly environment, building massing should bemodulated and articulated to stimulate interest andvisual variety.

Scale/Building Bulk

The maximum lot coverage at the ground floor is 75percent (25 percent dedicated to open space orplazas).

Height

It is anticipated that there will be a range ofbuilding heights along the river corridor. Alldevelopments shall step down to the river so as tobest mimic the natural light patterns in the corri-dor.

Listed below are the general building heights asmeasured from ground level to the top of parapetwithin each site.

Site Area 1: 280 feetSite Area 2: 200 feetSite Area 3: 150 feetSite Area 4: 120 feet

These heights are for reference purposes and do notpreclude programs with higher building heights pro-vided that they receive US FAA and City approval.

Create a variety in massing and building heights toprovide visual interest along the river


Height Variety

Variety in building heights is encouraged to pro-mote visual interest and modulate the scale ofdevelopment, especially as buildings relate to theriver.

Towers should be expressed as visually significantvertical elements and be integrated into the overalldesign of the structure. They are encouraged asvisual markers at street corners.


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Building Base

The building’s base is one of the primary factorsin establishing welcoming human scale and envi-ronment. The use of raised terraces, connectedplazas, and landscaping creates strong transitionsbetween development and the river.

Variety at the ground level for residential buildingscan be achieved through the use of design featuressuch as stairs, stoops, porches, bay windows, andrusticated materials and landscaping. (See Sectionon Building Articulation (page 7) for more detail.)

Variety at the ground level for commercial and retailbuildings can be achieved through the use of designfeatures such as stairs, entries, expressed structuralelements, arcades, projections, large expanses ofnon-reflective glazing, and landscaping.

Buildings are encouraged to be set slightly abovethe riverwalk, so as to promote the use of steps andwalls to articulate the edge of the riverwalk, as wellas to create informal opportunities to sit along theriver. Ramps shall be integrated into the overalldesign and should be parallel to the riverwalk.

The use of raised terraces, steps, arcades, andlandscaping provides a variety of edge conditions

Buildings on podiums should feel connected to thestreet

Do Not Do



24Buildings should have a variety of forms for theirroofscape

The use of landscaping on terraces compliments thepark’s natural character


Roofscape

Roofs of buildings should be constructed to beconsistent with the architecture of the buildingsthey cover. Roof design should be of a qualitythat assumes visibility from the river.

Building roofs should provide a variety of differentheights and forms to create visual interest as viewedfrom the river and the rest of the downtown.

Mechanical equipment should be organized anddesigned as a component of the roofscape and notappear to be an after thought.

Upper level terraces on residential or office build-ings are encouraged and should be landscaped so asto complement the overall natural character of theriver and provide unique overlook opportunitiestowards the corridor.

Sun and Shadow

To best preserve the fragile ecosystem of the riverit is important that any new development notadversely impact the ecology of the river and itsnatural habitat.

Proposed materials shall be submitted for review byCity of San Jose. Sunlight reflected from buildingsmust not increase the river water temperature. Whennot covered by the downtown program EIR, eachdevelopment project may be required to prepare athermal and/or shade analysis of the impact of thedevelopment on the river.

Design buildings with setbacks to permit adequatesun along the riverwalk



25


E. Building Articulation

The Guadalupe River possesses a tremendous vari-ety of visual experiences along its course. It is cru-cial that development likewise utilize a variety ofmaterials, styles, and scales to best avoid a homoge-nous or monotonous pattern along the river’s edge.

Building entries and windows create a sense oftransparency and physically connect indoor and out-door activities, making walking a more enjoyableand interesting experience.

A building’s distinguishing qualities such as materi-als and structure are important aspects of its charac-ter and should be considered in its expression.

Visual Interest

To mitigate the scale of development and create apedestrian-friendly environment, building mass-ing should be modulated and articulated to cre-ate interest and visual variety.

Strong horizontal and vertical elements are encour-aged to modulate the scale of development and cre-ate a visually stimulating streetscape for pedestriansalong the river.

Buildings along the river should avoid homoge-neous and unrelieved facades.

Buildings at the ground level shall minimize the useof blank walls and incorporate architectural andlandscape features of interest and utility such as seatwalls and vertical trellises.

Create a variety in facade articulation along thestreet



26

Reduce building mass through balconies, fenestra-tion, and variation in materials

Use of landscaping at entries can establish pedestrian scale

Architectural Details/Materials

Buildings along the river should be visually inter-esting, articulated, and constructed of high quali-ty, durable materials.

All materials for proposed developments shall bereviewed by the City of San Jose for compatibilitywith the character of the riverwalk.

Extreme bulk and massive appearance of facadesshould be reduced. These efforts include a variationof planes and wall surfaces, fenestration, height vari-ation, and differences in materials or colors and sur-face articulations.

Clear, untinted glass should be used at ground levelto allow for maximum visual interaction between thewalk area along the river and interior spaces.

Non-reflective cladding and windows shall be usedso as to minimize solar reflection onto the river.

For larger buildings with shared entries, passageshould be through prominent lobby entrances thatface the street.

Secondary entries that face the river shall be provid-ed for all new development to provide physical con-nection, visual interest, orientation, and a sense ofinvitation to and from the river.

Secondary entries are also encouraged on mid-blockpedestrian passages to help activate and providevisual transparency along their length.

Entries for all buildings should be clearly articulatedthrough recessed bays, stoops, or awnings.


Pedestrian Entries

Frequent entries are encouraged to create fine-grained, pedestrian-oriented streets that serve aslively urban places. They serve as importanttransitions from private spaces to the publicrealm. Often, building entries that successfullytransition between the public and private realminclude arcades, large windows and doors, andlandscaping.



27


Do Not: Create blank facades

Do: Create articulated facades

F. Parking

Parking guidelines govern parking facilities through-out the Guadalupe River Park area. These includeintegrated, surface, and freestanding structures. It isanticipated that the majority of parking within devel-opment sites will be provided above grade. Theguidelines are directed at ensuring that parking facil-ities are well integrated into the overall physical andvisual scale and character of the River Park.

An example of a parking dominated landscape

Do Not: Surface parking lots should not be placedalong the riverwalk



28

Site Organization

The organization of parking within developmentis critical to sustaining the character of the river-walk. Parking structures and lots should beinternalized within development sites away fromthe river and separated from the river by devel-opment in order to minimize their impact on theriver.

1.) The layout and configuration of surface parkingshould be designed so as to accommodate futuredevelopment. Land devoted to surface parking lotsshould be reduced through infill development.

2.) Outside of the River Street Historic District sur-face lots should not be located adjacent to the river-walk such that they detract from the visual experi-ence of the river.

3.) Freestanding parking structures without groundfloor retail or similar public offerings are not per-mitted along the riverwalk.

4.) Parking should provide pedestrian through-corri-dors as links between the city and the river.

5.) Parking exhaust vents are prohibited adjacent tothe riverwalk.

Do: Establish parking entrances to undergroundstructures away from the riverwalk

Do Not: Create parking entrances to undergroundstructures adjacent to the riverwalk


Parking Entries

Entries to parking structures shall be carefullyconsidered within any development proposal.Their placement shall be done so as to minimizeconflict with pedestrians and not impede on thehuman character of the riverwalk and the sur-rounding streets.

Both on-site and street-side entries for vehicles andpedestrians shall receive careful design treatment.

1.) Entries to parking lots and garages shall not belocated directly adjacent to the riverwalk. Entrancesshould either be in the midsection of the develop-ment parcels along the perpendicular street or at anylocation along the parallel street.

2.) Parking garage entrances should not be locatedon the river road frontage regardless of whether thedevelopment abuts the river. Entrances should eitherbe along the perpendicular street or at any locationalong the parallel street.



29


2.) Parking for commercial/office uses should bebuffered at grade along the riverwalk with the incor-poration of pedestrian uses such as small retail,building entrance lobbies, public amenities (includ-ing public restrooms and seating areas), commonareas such as cafeterias, lounges, or landscapingwith the objective of eliminating blank walls.

3.) If structured parking is placed along the riverand cannot be buffered with active uses, the qualityof ground level materials is critical to creating aninviting edge for the riverwalk. Appropriate materi-als include lattice work or similar planted "greenwalls", stone, and appropriate textured materialsincorporated into the façade of the structure thatfaces the river. Blank façades are not permitted.

Public Use and Access

1.) Off-street parking areas should incorporatepublic sidewalks and mid-block connections tolessen pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and to provideaccess to dwelling units, workplaces or to streets.

2.) Pathways and stairways linking parking struc-tures to buildings should be visually engaging, welllighted, and secure.

3.) Employee parking areas should be conceivedsuch that a shared arrangement is provided wherebyidle worker parking capacity is made available tothe public during off-business hours.

Edges

Parking garage windows, ventilation portals andsimilar openings (which may or may not requiresecurity grating) fronting the river shall be aminimum of 6 feet above the riverwalk and shallbe screened from public view via attractive, high-quality material. Screening material shall notallow light leakage such that parking area light-ing is seen from the riverwalk.

Do: Use landscaping and articulated facades toscreen parking structures along the river


1.) Parking for residential uses should be buffered atgrade by either housing units that face the river, byresidential entrance lobbies and foyers, commonareas, community facilities, or landscaping.


30

Do Not: Vast parking lot without landscaping

Do: Use landscaping to help screen and minimizethe impact of parking structures

Do: Use landscaping and canopy trees to reducescale and shade parking lots


Lighting

Appropriate lighting is crucial to ensuring vehic-ular and personal safety. A lighting program’sfirst priority is to ensure that dark areas, nooks,and other areas without clear sightlines be suffi-ciently illuminated.

1.) Light spillage from fixtures shall be contained toavoid conflicts with surrounding uses (especiallyfrom the top deck) and to minimize lighting on theriver.

2.) Controls shall be implemented to dampenimpacts from vehicular headlights in parkinggarages on surrounding areas.

3.) All pedestrian areas should be well-lighted withattractive light fixtures of a minimum 2-foot candlesize.

Landscaping

1.) All parking lots should be planted such that in10 years 70 percent of the surface lot is shaded.

2.) A minimum of one tree for every fourth stall isrequired. Parking lot trees shall be a minimum sizeof 36-inch box and should be planted according toSan Jose Redevelopment Agency standards for stak-ing. All other landscape requirements shall conformto the City of San Jose parking lot standards.

3.) Parking structures should utilize landscaping ortrellises to improve visual quality and minimize theirimpact on the pedestrian realm.

4.) Open air parking facilities shall incorporate per-vious materials or other design solutions that reduceor eliminate stormwater runoff.



IV. Specific Site Area Guidelines

Note: The following area-specific guidelines aresubject to review upon completion of planning stud-ies for the Diridon and North Gateway areas.

The preceding general design guidelines recognizethe Guadalupe River as a contiguous natural formwithin the city. The adjacent urban areas presentseveral conditions that should be addressed toachieve the broader goals envisioned for the river.These Area Guidelines expand on the general designguidelines and should be referenced to ensure adevelopment’s adherence to adopted standards.

Site-specific area guidelines are four parts:

A. Area 1

B. Area 2

C. Area 3

D. Area 4


The four areas of development within the GuadalupeRiver Park

Area 4

Area 3

Area 2

Area 1

Taylor St

Coleman Ave

Alm

aden

Blv

d

Sta

te H

wy

87

Sta

te H

wy

87

Au

tum

n S

t

Aut

umn

St

San Fernando St

Union Pacific

Railroad


32

Site Area 1 with existing site photos


A. Area 1

Located between Interstate 280 on the south andSan Carlos Street on the north, this area functions asan important cultural district on the edge of down-town San Jose. Notable sites are adjacent to theConvention Center and near the Children'sDiscovery Museum. There is a well-used transit stopthat provides connections to the rest of the down-town area. Well-established pathways and bridgesprovide easy pedestrian access between both sidesof the river. Discovery Meadow offers recreationalopportunities and visually complements the river inthis area.

Programs and ActivitiesPrograms should include those that leverage the richcultural opportunities available including theDiscovery Meadow, the Children's DiscoveryMuseum, and the Center for the Performing Arts.

These programs should include multi-family hous-ing, mixed-use office/housing projects, and someoffice development. Outdoor recreational facilitiessuch as basketball courts, tennis courts, and skate-board parks should be considered for the site that isunder the 280/87-freeway interchange. Such usesshall be subject to applicable setback requirements.and are subject to approval on a case-by-case basis.An impacts analysis for noise and lighting may berequired prior to permitting and approval of hours ofoperation.

ConnectionsGiven the size and scale of the blocks in this area, atleast one additional mid-block paseo should belocated between Woz Way and San Carlos Street asa means of promoting stronger pedestrian connec-tions from Discovery Meadow and the river toAlmaden Boulevard and the rest of downtown.

Specific Site Area Guidelines (cont.)

Sta

te H

wy

87Interstate 280

Woz Way

Park Avenue

San Carlos St

Alm

aden

Blv

d


33


Setback RequirementsFrom Interstate 280 to Woz Way setback require-ments are a minimum 50 feet of open space fromthe top of bank. From Woz Way to San Carlos Streetthe setback requirement is 25 feet of open spacefrom the top of bank. Any setback area in the rivercorridor spanning I-280 north to San Carlos Streetshall include a public walk that is a minimum widthof 12 feet along its length for a continuous rivertrail, unless site conditions prohibit placement alongthe river.

min 50 feet

RiverSetback

Required riverwalk setback for development along the river edge south of Woz Way

min 25 feetRiver

SetbackRequired riverwalk setback for development along the river edge between Woz Way and San Carlos Street

Children’sMuseum

RiverWalk

RiverWalk

NOTE -- A future development project has beenapproved for the site located on Almaden Streetbetween San Carlos Street and Woz Way. This dis-tinctly narrow property requires specific guidelinesthat modify the 25-foot-wide riverwalk setbackrequirement. Should a new project be proposed forthis site, it should be reviewed within the context ofthese guidelines.



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B. Area 2

Located between San Carlos Street on the south andSanta Clara Street on the north, this area is a strate-gic site within downtown. Here the Guadalupe RiverPark links the Diridon area, the Arena, and the restof downtown. It crosses under two of the city'smajor streets, San Fernando Street and Santa ClaraStreet, conveniently linking the park to the city.

The development sites offer opportunities for newmid-block pedestrian linkages between the LosGatos Creek Trail and the Guadalupe River Trail. Anew transit stop along San Fernando Street is understudy. Expanded transit service to this area shouldbe encouraged. Design that incorporates and accom-modates transit should be a requirement of any newdevelopment. These sites could host a range of pro-grams given their strategic nature and their proximi-ty to existing open space, housing, offices and thefuture Diridon multi-modal station

Open space within these blocks should be primarilyoriented toward the creek and river in keeping withthe parkwide design guidelines.

Programs and ActivitiesSanta Clara StreetThe Greater San Jose Downtown Strategy 2000 Planstates that Santa Clara Street is the designated"Main Street" and provides a strong and recogniza-ble connection to the downtown area. New officeand retail programs that relate directly to the streetshould be considered. The development of diningand entertainment attractions that both complementthe nighttime activity of the Arena, and increaseactivity along the riverwalk itself should be consid-ered.



Sta

te H

wy

87

San Fernando St

Park Ave

Santa Clara St

Autu

mn

St


35


San Fernando StreetThe Greater San Jose Downtown Strategy 2000 Planstates that San Fernando Street is the CivicBoulevard of San Jose which links public uses fromthe Diridon Station to the University and southCivic Center Plaza area. Multi- and mixed-useoffice and residential programs can best take advan-tage of major transit stops, bus stations, and a pro-posed BART station that will also bolster pedestrianactivity along San Fernando Street.

The San Jose Downtown Strategy 2000 Plan alsostates that San Fernando is a designated "greenstreet" and that any landscape elements fronting thisstreet should comply with the City of San Jose streettree program guidelines. San Fernando can also pro-vide unique landscape opportunities as a means ofheralding the river to the city. New streetscapeimprovements shall be coordinated with theDowntown Streetscape Plan.

The Water Company BuildingsThe historic Water Company buildings along thewestern edge of the river provide a strong visualmarker for both the city and river in this area.Development studies should explore the possibilityof a new frontage road along the western edge ofthese buildings.

The Freeway SiteDevelop the area under the freeway to accommodatea range of recreational activities such as skateboard-ing, rollerblading and basketball.

ConnectionsThe sites between the Guadalupe River and the LosGatos Creek provide opportunities for development.The addition of new mid-block pedestrian paseosbetween the Guadalupe River and the Los GatosCreek is encouraged to promote stronger east-westpublic access to and from the river, to the DiridonStation and Arena area, and to the remainder ofdowntown. These east-west connections would befurther strengthened by new pedestrian bridges overLos Gatos Creek and the Guadalupe River.

Street EdgesBuildings with consistent street frontages on bothSanta Clara and San Fernando Streets are alsoimportant to reinforce the urban, pedestrian charac-ter of these east-west connection streets. The streetfrontage on Santa Clara will play a vital role inestablishing an edge for the Arena Green.

Open Space CharacterGiven its critical location as a link between LosGatos Creek and the Guadalupe, open spaces withinthe development in this area will play an importantrole in complementing the existing park systems.All components from mid-block paseos and river-walk setbacks to public plazas and terraces shouldbe designed to reinforce and build upon the proximi-ty to the Guadalupe and Los Gatos, encouragingpublic connections and expanding the scope of thepark system.

New development on the east side of the rivershould be east of the current alignment of Route 87.No new buildings shall be sited in the right-of-wayof Route 87.



36


The nearby freeway on the east side of the rivermakes the scale and character of the river setbackin this area crucial to establishing the continuity ofthe river park and providing connections betweenthe Arena Green and the riverwalk to the south.

New development on the east side of the rivershall be east of the current alignment of Route 87.No new buildings shall be sited in the right-of-wayof Route 87.

Setback RequirementsNew development that abuts the river betweenSanta Clara and San Fernando Streets shall includea minimum 50-foot open space setback measuredfrom the top of bank along its length. This setbackshall include a minimum 12-foot-wide public walkalong its length, affording a continuous river trail.

The exception to this rule shall be the San JoseWater Building river frontage as these historicbuildings abut the river. The trail in this area shallbe placed to the west of the buildings.

Required riverwalk setback for development along the river edge between Santa Clara and San Fernando Streets


min. 50 feet

RiverSetback

Riverwalk

State Highway 87


37


C. Area 3

Area 3, between Santa Clara Street on the south andUnion Pacific Railroad tracks on the north, is adja-cent to Autumn Street. This area has the potential tobecome a major connection to the northwest portionof the city and provide vital access to the Arena andthe new development northwest of downtown.

This area also provides view corridors from theriver that allow generous vistas to the hills beyond.A large corporate office park sits on the east side ofthe river and could be conveniently linked with thepark via bridge. Development should not onlyrespond to the river, but should also be appropriatein scale and massing to Autumn Street.

Setback RequirementsRequired setbacks from Santa Clara Street to theUnion Pacific Railroad track shall be 100 feet fromthe top of bank except between Julian Street and St.John St which requires a setback of 50 feet from thetop of bank The entire length of Area 3 requires aminimum 12-foot-wide public walk within therequired setback.

Programs and ActivitiesPrograms along Autumn Street should include officewith ground floor retail and housing. Given theproximity to the Arena, nighttime programs such asrestaurants, sports bars, and cafes should also beencouraged.

Autumn StreetThe Greater San Jose Downtown Strategy 2000 planstates that Autumn Street will become an importantstreet that connects the northern portion of the city,creating a new access to the Arena and the rest ofthe downtown area. The Guadalupe River ParkMaster Plan and the City’s General Plan specify thefuture alignment for the street.

An aerial view of Site Area with principalboundaries labeled


Union Pacific Railroad

Aut

umn

St

St John St

38


ConnectionsMid-block pedestrian paseos and alleys betweenAutumn Street and development to the west shouldbe incorporated into new development. Retainingthe existing railroad easement for a pedestrianbridge should be explored.

Street FrontageNew development within this area should create astrong connection to the street. Should the newAutumn Street be built, buildings fronting the streetshould create a strong edge for this new riverfrontboulevard. Building services and parking entrancesshould not be placed along this boulevard frontage.

Should this riverfront boulevard not be constructed,development should be sufficiently set back fromthe river to facilitate both the required PG&E set-back and an easement for the potential future reloca-tion of Autumn Street. The river frontage shouldhave a consistent frontage with open spaces orientedto the river park.

Devine

River St.

Bassett St.

Ryland St.

Terraine Street

No

tre Dam

e Street

A

Coleman Street

ArenaGreen

87

Alameda

tree

t

Mo

ntg

om

ery Street

Au

tum

n Street

Open Space CharacterShould Autumn Street be relocated, any open spacesand paseos that come with new development willnot be adjacent to the river. This will allow for moreflexibility in the design. These spaces should com-plement the river park. At the same time, theyshould be considered urban open spaces within theirown right.

Should Autumn Street not be relocated, any openspaces and paseos will play an important role incomplementing the existing park system. All compo-nents from mid-block paseos and riverwalk setbacksto public plazas and terraces should be designed toreinforce the continuity of the river park therebyencouraging public connections and expanding thescope of the park system.

Proposed Autumn Street realignment

Mid-block paseos can create visual connections tothe river along a relocated Autumn Street




39


D. Area 4

Area 4 is bound on the north by Coleman Avenueand Taylor Street, on the south and west by theUnion Pacific Railroad, and on the east by StateRoute 87. The area is in proximity to the GuadalupeGardens and the San Jose International Airport. Itsparcel sizes provide unique opportunities for poten-tial mixed- and multi-use development.

Site OrganizationNew development should hold street edges andrespond to the street grid as identified within theGreater San Jose Downtown 2000 Strategy Plan.Development should include a larger public openspace amenity that relates directly to the river andpromotes the sequence of larger public open spacesthat already exist along the southern portion of thepark.

Programs and ActivitiesUses should include multi- and mixed-use officeand/or retail that take advantage of the site's proxim-ity to the Guadalupe River Park.



Sta

te H

wy

87

Union P

acific Railroad

Coleman Ave


40


ConnectionsIncorporate grade crossings at the existing railroadcrossing to preserve the continuous nature of thewalk.

ParkingSurface parking lots are not permitted adjacent to orvisible from the Guadalupe River Park.

Setback RequirementsDevelopment abutting the river from the UnionPacific Railroad to Coleman Avenue shall providefor a minimum 100-foot open space setback meas-ured from the top of bank along its length. This set-back area shall include a public walk of a minimumwidth 12 feet along its length providing for a contin-uous river trail.

min. 100 feet

riverwalkSetback

Required riverwalk setback for development along the river edge south of Coleman Avenue

AutumnStreet

GuadalupeRiver Park



41


Height:Building height is the vertical distance between fin-ished grade and the top of a building. Building topis defined as the highest point of a building or struc-ture.

Lamp:The portion of a light fixture that contains the lightsource.

Mid-block connection:A pedestrian-only connection through a develop-ment between two streets.

Mixed-use: Containing or zoned for both commercial and resi-dential facilities or development. The mixture ofdifferent use types usually occurs within the enve-lope of one building as opposed to several individ-ual buildings.

Multi-use:The mixture of different land use types on singleparcel but within different buildings.

Parcel:A plot of land, usually a division of a larger area.Has legal and code implications.

Paseo:A pedestrian-only mid-block connection betweenpublic streets.

Public Right-of-Way:The public strip of land over which facilities such asstreets, sidewalks, highways, railroads, or powerlines are built. The dimensions typically run fromthe private property lines on either side of the right-of-way.

V. Definition of Terms

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. TitleIII of the ADA, which covers public accommoda-tions and commercial facilities, promulgated theAmericans with Disabilities Act AccessibilityGuidelines (ADAAG), which are the general designguidance and criteria that must be applied during thedesign, construction, and alteration of buildings andfacilities.

Articulation:Variation in the facade massing, setback, or designfeatures of a building, such as vertical recesses,changes in wall plane, changes in the apparentheight, changes in materials and colors, changes infacade recesses and projections or cornice treat-ments, changes in the shape and location of garageand residential entries, or changes in window formsand patterns.

Easement:The right of a person, government agency, or publicutility company to use public or private land ownedby another for a specific purpose. A grant of one ormore of the property rights by the owner to, or forthe use by, entirely.

Façade: The face of a building, especially the principal facethat will face the river or major streets.

Frontage: The front part of a piece of property. Also used torefer to the land between a building and the street orthe river.


42


Riverwalk Trail:A two-way mixed-use path 12 feet in width. Onefoot of the path contains a bard. The remaining 11feet consists of asphalt.

Setback:The required minimum horizontal distance betweenthe building and the top of the bank of the river line.

Sidewalk:An unobstructed path preferencing pedestrians. Tenfeet is the minimum effective width needed toaccommodate both pedestrians and street trees.These requirements include a 5 foot unobstructedpath of movement, a 4 foot ornamental tree grate,and a half-foot curb on the street side.

Stepback:The required minimal horizontal distance betweenand upper level and a lower level of a buildingdevelopment.

Top of Bank:The vertical height of the river edge as determinedby the Army Corps of Engineers.



Executive Summary

The Guadalupe River Park Urban Design Guidelines

This document is intended to provide continuity to development brought to the Guadalupe River Parkover a period of several years. It is also intended to provide developers with a set of clear expectationsand uniform rules for development, which will lessen uncertainties and create a consistent developmentstandard.. Moreover, these Urban Design Guidelines are the culmination of many efforts to balance theneed to protect and restore the Guadalupe River watershed with the desire to encourage development onproperties adjacent to a signature downtown park.

The Guidelines are organized in six sections.

Section 1, Introduction. An overview of the River Park's history, scope and purpose. The Introductiondescribes areas along the river for which these guidelines apply and how the guidelines coexist withrelated policy documents. A clear division of which projects are subject to the guidelines is also provid-ed. Finally, the Introduction briefly overviews the guidelines' six sections.

Section 2, Design Goals and Principles. This section establishes standards for future development tocreate a place within the Guadalupe River Park that will abide by the guidelines' three key principles andobjectives: Promote the Ecology, Expand the River and Extend the City.

Section 3, Parkwide Design Guidelines. Section 3 describes requirements for architectural detail andmaterials, public access and public space, plantings and vegetation, public space, vistas, pathways, light-ing and parking that combined will effectively create the distinctive place envisioned to become theGuadalupe River Park.

Section 4, Specific Site Area Guidelines. A more site-specific presentation of requirements for setbacks,programs and activities, connections, open space character and street frontage. The finer level of detailoffered in Section 4 serves to inform developers of the quantities and measures that apply to the sectionof River Park containing their development.

Section 5, Definition of Terms. A detailed glossary that explains specialized terminology and jargonspecific to Architecture, Community Planning, Land Development and the San Jose area. Terms spanADA to Top of Bank.

Section 6, Developer Checklist. An attached form prepared to assist developers in navigating the designreview process and in determining which requirements apply for a given parcel and scale of develop-ment.

Documents

Guadalupe River Park & Gardens River Park & Garden River Park & Gardens River Park & Garden delines dalupe River DESIGN GUIDELINES GUADALUPE RIVER PARK & GARDENS Section I. Introduction