Register for this Event

Preservation Bootcamp: Objective Design Standards in Historic Contexts

Join CPF for a comprehensive two-part training on Objective Design Standards (ODS) and their implications for historic resources in California. The program will introduce what ODS are, how they differ from traditional subjective design guidelines, and the statutory framework that requires or enables their adoption at the local level. Special attention will be given to how ODS intersect with preservation goals, including their application to historic districts, landmarks, contributing and non-contributing buildings, and adjacency conditions.

Part 1 will focus on case studies from jurisdictions across the state, showcasing real-world examples of how ODS are applied in historic contexts. These examples will highlight both successful strategies and common challenges, illustrating how ODS can support preservation goals while meeting housing and planning mandates. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how standards can be structured to address historic resources, districts, and adjacent contexts in ways that are measurable, defensible, and preservation-sensitive.

Part 2 will feature a moderated discussion with practitioners who have developed and applied ODS in preservation-sensitive settings. Panelists will share experiences and strategies for crafting defensible, objective standards that balance housing and planning mandates with the stewardship of historic resources. An extended Q&A will allow participants to raise jurisdiction-specific challenges and learn from peers.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to define Objective Design Standards (ODS) and explain how they differ from traditional subjective design guidelines.

• Participants will be able to identify the statutory requirements and opportunities for adopting ODS in California, including their relationship to preservation mandates.

• Participants will be able to apply lessons from case studies to draft standards that address scale, massing, and materials while remaining compatible with historic resources.

• Participants will be able to recognize common challenges in ODS development and implement strategies to ensure clarity, defensibility, and preservation sensitivity.

Speakers

Speakers will be announced shortly.

 

Posted in: Code Compliance, Historic Integrity, Housing, Planning & Preservation Practice, Preservation Basics, Webinars, Workshops