Oakland Design Review Manual for the Central ... - City of Oakland

3.33.3 SetbacksAvoidIntentCreate a predictable rhythm along the street that can impart asense of harmony, cohesion and enclosure through consistentsetbacks.historic setbacknew building setbackXX Figure 3.3.a: New buildings should avoidbreaking an established historic buildingsetback line.encourageA setback establishes the distance between buildings at the front,rear, and side property lines. The setback is one tool to protect privacy,buffer impacts and create interest where necessary.Existing front setbacks in the Central Estuary can vary greatly, frombuilding walls at the property line to deep setbacks to vacant lots;these inconsistencies often create a muddled presence along streetsdue to their extreme variation.Front setbacks require careful consideration in all conditions as theyare part of the public face of a project and can vary greatly in theirpurpose and appearance. Front setbacks can accommodate a transitionzone for uses that require some privacy and buffer from publicspaces. Where privacy is not an issue, setbacks can accommodateactivity such as dining, seating, display and gathering space. Rearand side setbacks need careful consideration where adjacent use areincompatible.GuidelinesXX Figure 3.3.b: Consistent setbacks allowspace for a semi-public zone of stairs,porches and yards that provide a cleartransition between the public space ofthe street and sidewalk, and the privatespaces inside residences.General Guidelines3.3.1 Where there is a discernible and predominant front or sidesetback along a street, new buildings should respect thesurrounding context. This is particularly important for newdevelopment in the Jingletown/Elmwood area. See Figure3.3.a.3.3.2 Where there is no discernible and predominant front orside setback along a street, new buildings should provide asufficient setback that allows for the applicable treatmentspresented below. Refer to the Frontage Types for additionalguidelines.3.3.3 Frontage onto streets should include a legible series oftransitions from public to private space. Porches, stoops,forecourts, lobbies, awnings and stairs provide opportunitiesfor an inviting transition as well as allow for social interactionsand more “eyes on the street” to increase safety. See Figure3.3.b.10OAKLAND DESIGN REVIEW MANUAL FOR CENTRAL ESTUARY