Development Standards for the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) District

In the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) district of the City of Concord, new development is permitted a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 4.0. The maximum allowable lot coverage for individual subdivided parcels within the DP district is not explicitly restricted by a single percentage, but is instead governed by the applicable development standards and design requirements specified in the Concord Development Code.

Development Intensity and Coverage in the DP District

The Downtown Pedestrian (DP) district is intended to support high-density, pedestrian-oriented development surrounding Todos Santos Plaza and connecting to the Concord BART station [Section 18.45.010]. Development intensity and site coverage are regulated as follows:

Development Standard	Requirement for DP District
Minimum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	0.75
Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	4.0
Minimum Lot Area	5,000 square feet
Minimum Lot Width (Interior Lot)	50 feet
Minimum Lot Width (Corner Lot)	60 feet
Minimum Lot Depth	100 feet
Minimum Building Height	30 feet
Maximum Building Height	70 feet

Note: For projects utilizing the Affordable Housing Incentive Program, the maximum FAR may be increased to 4.0 as a base, with additional modifications permitted for qualifying projects [Section 18.185.060].

Development Regulations and Requirements

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Calculations

The maximum permitted floor area in the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) district is determined by multiplying the FAR established by the general plan designation by the total net area of the site [Section 18.20.030]. Parking structures located below grade are excluded from FAR calculations. For structures only partially above grade, the portion above ground level is calculated toward the FAR [Section 18.150.140].

Lot Coverage Standards

While the DP district does not have a single specified maximum lot coverage percentage in the general development standards table, development must comply with all other applicable provisions of the Concord Development Code, including setback requirements, open space requirements, and design standards [Section 18.45.030]. If a project is a qualifying affordable or mixed-income housing development, it may be subject to specific modified standards as outlined in Chapter 18.185 [Section 18.185.060].

Additional Design Considerations

Development within the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) district must adhere to specific design requirements to promote active, pedestrian-friendly environments:

Facade Articulation: Primary facades must be located as close to the sidewalk or front property line as possible [Section 18.45.030].
Building Differentiation: Projects must differentiate upper floor uses from ground-floor uses through architectural changes in materials, textures, or by providing specific architectural features like arcades or awnings for buildings exceeding 35 feet in height [Section 18.45.030].
Residential Use Restrictions: For properties directly facing Todos Santos Plaza, residential uses are restricted to levels above the ground floor, and ground floors must be occupied by retail or restaurant uses [Section 18.45.030].

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