Council Minutes 03/08/11APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 22, 2011
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OF A REGULAR MEETING
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
March 8, 2011
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on March 8, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in
a Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.
4:30 P.M. SESSION
1. OPENING
1.1 INVOCATION
Given by Rev. Stephanie Toon Glassman, First United Methodist Church
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Led by Councilmember Denis Bilodeau
1.3 ROLL CALL
PRESENT - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
ABSENT - None
1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS
Presentation of MADD Deuce Awards.
Presentation by the International Code Council, Orange Empire Chapter of Building
Officials recognizing the City Council for their continued support and commitment to
building safety and recognizing Building Official David Khorram as 2010 president.
Library Foundation presentation on Children's Garden.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS — Lisa Ball, South Coast Air Quality Management District
provided Council with a State of Our Air 2011 DVD.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
March 8, 2011
All items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and are enacted by one
motion approving the recommended action listed on the Agenda. Any member of the
City Council, staff or the public may request an item be removed from the Consent
Calendar for discussion or separate action. Unless otherwise specified in the request to
remove an item from the Consent Calendar, all items removed shall be considered
immediately following action on the remaining items on the Consent Calendar.
3.1 Confirmation of warrant registers dated February 17 and February 24, 2011.
ACTION: Approved.
3.2 City Council Minutes, Regular Meeting of February 22, 2011. (C2500.D.4)
ACTION: Approved.
3.3 Waive reading in full of all ordinances on the Agenda.
ACTION: Approved.
AGREEMENTS
3.4 A Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Orange, Orange County
Transportation Authority, and the Cities of Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa,
Fullerton, Santa Ana, and the State of California Department of Transportation
for Inter - jurisdictional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project along Bristol
Street /State College Boulevard corridor. (A2100.0 Agr -5727)
ACTION: Approved the Memorandum of Understanding; and authorized the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.5 First Amendment to Cooperative Agreement No. C -9 -0243 Between the Orange
County Transportation Authority, the City of Orange, and the Orange
Redevelopment Agency for Parking Capacity Expansion at the Orange
Transportation Center. (A2100.0 Agr - 5437.1)
(See related Redevelopment Agency Minutes Item No. 3.3)
ACTION: Approved First Amendment to Cooperative Agreement No. C -9 -0243; and
authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the amendment on behalf of the
City.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
3. CONSENT CALENDAR (Continued)
BIDS
3.6 Bid No. 101 -30; Approval of plans and specifications, and authorization to
advertise for bids for construction of Storm Drain Improvements in Palm Avenue,
Cambridge Street, and Santiago Canyon Road Project. (C2500.M.17)
ACTION: Approved plans and specifications and authorized advertising for bids.
(REMOVED AND HEARD SEPARATELY)
3.7 Approval of Request for Proposals (RFP) for Landscape Maintenance of City
Parks and Recreation Trails, and Authorization to advertise for proposals.
Discussion - Councilmember Whitaker asked about contract compensation; and
clarified with staff the amount of the general liability insurance.
Councilmember Dumitru requested inclusion of background checks on the successful
bidder's employees working in the parks.
MOTION - Whitaker
SECOND - Cavecche
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
Moved to: Approve RFP and authorize the advertising of an RFP with the direction to
change the contract provisions for a flat compensation for two years with CPI increases
in ensuing years capped at 3 %; increase the general liability to $2 million; and
verification that no 290 registrants are working on the contract and that all employees
working have gone through e- verify.
(REMOVED AND HEARD SEPARATELY)
3.8 Approval of Request for Proposals (RFP) for Landscape Maintenance of City
Facilities, Medians, and Rights of Way; and Authorization to advertise for
proposals.
Discussion - Councilmember Whitaker stated that with the concurrence of Council he
wanted the same provisions discussed for Item 3.7 to be in this contract as well.
MOTION - Whitaker
SECOND - Cavecche
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
Moved to: Approve RFP and authorize the advertising of an RFP with the direction to
change the contract provisions for a flat compensation for two years with CPI increases
in ensuing years capped at 3 %; increase the general liability to $2 million; and
verification that no 290 registrants are working on the contract and that all employees
working have gone through e- verify.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
3. CONSENT CALENDAR (Continued)
3.9 CLAIMS (C3200.0)
SUMMARY: The following claim(s) have been received and investigated by the City
Attorney's Office and /or the Risk Manager. After a thorough investigation with the
involved departments, it is the recommendation of the City Attorney's Office that the
claim(s) be denied.
a. Thomas McConnell
ACTION: Denied Claim(s) for damages and referred to City Attorney and Adjuster.
MOTION - Smith
SECOND - Cavecche
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
Items 3.7 and 3.8 were removed and heard separately. All other items on the
Consent Calendar were approved as recommended.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR CAVECCHE - None
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
5.1 Councilmember Dumitru — Pursuant to Government Code Section 36801 — request for
vote on reorganization of City Council.
Councilmember Dumitru stated he wanted to follow state law and agendize this for the next
council meeting.
Mayor Cavecche stated she was happy with the current Council organization.
MOTION - Dumitru
SECOND - Bilodeau
AYES - Dumitru, Bilodeau
NOES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche
Moved to agendize on the March 22, 2011 City Council agenda.
(MOTION FAILED)
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1 Building Plan Review and Inspection Fees Charged on Photovoltaic (P.V.) Solar
installations. (C2500.J.1.0.1)
Discussion - Councilmember Bilodeau requested staff survey other cities' practices to
determine whether they are requiring P.V. Solar installers to include a turn off switch; and if
not, bring back to Council for reconsideration of a previous action to require this costly feature.
RESOLUTION NO. 10540
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange amending the Master Schedule of Fees
and Charges for Plan Review and Inspections for Photovoltaic (P.V.) Installations.
MOTION - Smith
SECOND - Whitaker
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
Moved to adopt Resolution No. 10540.
7.2 Commitment of federal HOME Investment Partnerships funding for the proposed
Serrano Woods Apartments to be located at 1820 East Meats Ave. (C2500.G.1.9)
(See related Redevelopment Agency Minutes Item No.7.1)
NOTE: This item was considered after Item 10.1
Discussion — Sr. Housing Manager Mary Ellen Laster gave the staff report, noting the per unit
subsidy cost is $137,335. She provided scenarios in the event of the dissolution of
Redevelopment Agencies, as to how the funding would be handled. She reiterated that the
City's commitment is for the housing set -aside funds and HOME funds, and if the funding is
not available the commitment is null and void.
Councilmember Bilodeau expressed concern about utilizing HOME funds given the
Governor's proposal to eliminate Redevelopment Agencies and possibly establishing the
effective date of that legislation back to January.
City Attorney David DeBerry noted that if a contract is in place it would not be cancelled.
Councilmember Whitaker stated that this project is a solid financial endeavor, speaking to the
loan to value ratio.
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7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Continued)
MOTION
- Smith
SECOND
- Whitaker
AYES
- Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche
NOES
- Bilodeau
ABSTAIN
- Dumitru
Moved to:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute letter regarding the Loan Commitment of federal
HOME funds in the amount of $1,369,527 for the proposed Serrano Woods Apartments
2) Authorize the transfer of $1,234,527 from the following accounts to account
317.9660.56571.20090 (HOME — Serrano Woods — East Meats Loan) for the project:
• $195,225.75 from account 317.9660.56510.11210 (HOME Community Housing
Development Organization [CHDO] funds) and
• $1,039,301.25 from account 317.9660.56510.11250 (HOME Developer Funds)
3) Appropriate $135,000 from unreserved fund balance of the HOME Fund to account
317.9661.56571.20090 (HOME -HOME Program Income - Serrano Woods -East Meats
Loan).
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER - None
9. LEGAL AFFAIRS
9.1 ORDINANCE NO. 01 -11 (SECOND READING) (A2500.0 False Alarms)
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Chapter 9.04 of the Orange
Municipal Code relating to False Alarms.
MOTION - Whitaker
SECOND - Smith
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
Moved that Ordinance No. 01 -11 be read by title only and same was approved and adopted by
the preceding vote.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
March 8, 2011
10.1 GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA 2010 - 0002), ZONE CHANGE (ZC 1257-
10), CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP 2803 -10), MAJOR SITE PLAN REVIEW
(MJSP 0639 -10), DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE (DRC 4504 -10), TENTATIVE
PARCEL MAP (TPM 0027 -10), AND MITIGATED NEG. DEC. (MND 1824 -10)
SERRANO WOODS, 1820 EAST MEATS AVENUE. (C2300.E GPA- 2010 -0002)
Time set for public hearing to consider construction of 63 rental apartments (62 affordable) in
four buildings with a 27,240 square foot footprint and associated site improvements on a 3.93
acre site that currently has a turf field, a Church and school building, and accessory modular
classroom buildings. The accessory modular buildings would be removed but the Church and
an associated parking lot would remain separately on a separate parcel created under a parcel
map that is part of the project.
Discussion — Community Development Director Alice Angus gave the staff report. She
responded to a question from Councilmember Whitaker and explained the process for
addressing the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) numbers from the State; that the
state would look at the city's progress and programs in place if numbers were not met, and that
if the City did not meet the numbers, there could be a penalty.
Senior Planner Chad Ortlieb responded to questions from the Council, stating that the channel
running along the project is not covered, and that a 6 -foot block wall will be constructed in that
area. He also explained that the residents will have electronic access devices to gain entrance,
and that visitors will have to call in to gain access, but the Fire Department has emergency
access through the church property. He further informed the Council of a one -foot setback
behind the laundry room, and that there are windows providing visibility into the laundry room.
He explained parking availability for the church is not counted toward the project numbers.
Mrs. Angus answered a question from Councilmember Dumitru stating that one on- street
parking space was being lost due to an enhanced entrance.
THE MAYOR OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Speakers -
Faridon Karamati, spoke in opposition due to noise, pollution and congestion issues;
Cathy Seelig, Friendly Center, which operates a Learning Center at church, spoke in support;
Rob Currington, Pastor, spoke in support;
George Metsovai, spoke in opposition due to parking issues.
Barry Cottle, Developer, spoke on the plan to address graffiti, occupancy limits, crime, strict
qualifications to be met by residents, and that having no garages will mean less clutter, and
therefore, result in more parking opportunities. In addition, he spoke on storage areas, and that
the laundry room will have set hours of operation and key access. He further explained the
enforcement of occupancy limits using tax returns and other documents.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued)
THE MAYOR CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Councilmember Bilodeau stated that C & C Development is a great developer of affordable
housing; but expressed his concern for the parking issues in the area and stated that visitors
and possible inadequate parking at the church may compound the issue. He clarified with staff
that this project would not interfere with a proposed Meats Avenue / SR 55 interchange and
that there were no immediate plans to widen Park Lane. He expressed not being able to
support the project due to the parking problems. He stated regret for the immediate need for a
decision on the project due to tax credit deadlines, and that he would have liked more time to
address the parking. He also noted this property was not identified in the recently adopted
General Plan as an area for affordable housing and an area to meet RHNA numbers.
Mayor Cavecche agreed there is a parking problem in the area, noting that the nearby homes
with garages should be using them for parking cars instead of storage, adding that the City
should be looking at enforcement; but did not want to punish this property owner for issues
caused in surrounding developments with parking.
Councilmember Dumitru spoke to the traffic study; and also clarified with staff that there
exists a pro forma analysis and requested it be provided to Council; that it should have been
provided with the project packet. He noted it was a good project, but agreed there were
parking issues in the area, including at the church; and clarified with staff that the School
District was aware of the project but did not provide any communication. He stated that in the
future he did not want to have to consider projects that did not have an option to be continued
due to deadlines.
Mayor pro tem Smith stated her support for the project and agreed that C & C Development is
the best affordable housing provider. She commented that with this project, neighbors may be
motivated to clean up their garages and use them, thereby lessening the parking problem in the
general area, and did not believe this project would further contribute to the parking issues.
She stated that Orange provides a complete spectrum of safe, attractive housing, including
housing for the work force community, and this project would help in contributing to RHNA
numbers.
Councilmember Whitaker stated his agreement with the previous comments and that this is a
well - planned project with a lot of detail that will serve to enhance the neighborhood. He added
his concern for the neighborhood parking problem, but that this project offers a parking plan
that exceeds the code.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued)
RESOLUTION NO. 10538
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange approving and adopting Mitigated
Negative Declaration 1824 -10, and General Plan Amendment 2010 -0002 reclassifying
property from Low Medium Residential 6 -15 du /ac (LMDR) to Medium Density Residential
15 -24 du /ac (MDR) upon property located at 1820 E. Meats Avenue.
MOTION -Smith
SECOND - Whitaker
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru
NOES - Bilodeau
Moved to approve Resolution No. 10538.
ORDINANCE NO. 07-11 (FIRST READING)
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange approving the reclassification of
property from Single Family Residential (R -1 -8) to Residential Multiple Family (R -3) located
at 1820 E. Meats Avenue.
MOTION
-Smith
SECOND
- Whitaker
AYES
- Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru
NOES
- Bilodeau
Moved that Ordinance No. 07 -11 be read by and same was set for second reading by the
preceding vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 10539
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange approving Conditional Use Permit
2803 -10, Major Site Plan Review 0639 -10, Design Review Committee 4504 -10, Tentative
Parcel Map (TPM 0027 -10) and, a Density Bonus Housing Agreement with two Affordable
Housing Concessions to allow for the construction of 63 housing units located at 1820 E.
Meats Avenue.
MOTION -Smith
SECOND - Whitaker
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru
NOES - Bilodeau
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
11. RECESS TO THE MEETING OF THE ORANGE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
12. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed at 9:40 p.m. to a Closed Session for the following purposes:
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
City Negotiators: City Manager John Sibley and Human Resources Director Steven Pham
& Human Resources Manager Mike Harary
Employee Organizations: All Bargaining Units
b. Conference with Legal Counsel—Anticipated Litigation.
Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of California Government Code Section
54956.9: One potential case.
To consider and take possible action upon such other matters as are orally announced by
the City Attorney, City Manager, or City Council prior to such recess unless the motion to
recess indicates any of the matters will not be considered in Closed Session.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
7:00 P.M. SESSION
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
14. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
15. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
March 8, 2011
15.1 APPEAL NO. 0528 -11 — DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE NO. 4508 -10 AND
ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT NO. 185 -10, LOCATED AT 626 W. CULVER
AVENUE. APPLICANTS: PETER & HEATHER WESTENHOFER (REPRESENTED
BY DOUG ELY, ARCHITECT). APPELLANT: OLD TOWNE PRESERVATION
ASSOCIATION. (A4000.0 APP - 0528 -11)
Appeal of the Planning Commission decision to approve a request to construct a 450 square
foot one -story rear and side addition to an existing 617 square foot Bungalow, located at 626
W. Culver Avenue.
Discussion - Community Development Director Alice Angus gave the staff report. In response
to a question from Mayor Cavecche, she stated that homes in the Old Towne district whether
they are under the Mills Act or not, must comply with the Secretary of the Interior Standards.
Speakers — Ms. Michelle Carder, representing Old Town Preservation Association (OTPA)
spoke of the issues of concern with the project, including procedural issues, submittal of
documents not provided to appellants, inadequate review by lower bodies, and that the addition
does not comply with standards. She suggested that OTPA could either litigate this issue,
attempt to delist the property in the Historical Register, or, which they would prefer, offer to
fund an independent analysis by a neutral party.
Mr. Doug Ely, Architect for homeowners, spoke on the project, noting the Floor to Area Ratio
(FAR) in this neighborhood is 3.5, and that this remodel will have an FAR of 3.4. He
addressed areas of the appeal:
1. The homeowner is removing only 10.5 feet of siding;
2. Project found to be in compliance to Secretary of Interior Standards by Design Review
Committee and Planning Commission;
3. Planning Commission did not have issues with size and administrative adjustments.
4. The project is not in breach of the Mills Act contract.
5. Will allow for the bolting of the foundation.
He further provided a document citing Secretary of Interior Standards acknowledging
reasonable changes.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
15. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (Continued)
The following persons spoke in support of the project:
Sharon Westenhofer
Byron Smith
Peter Westenhofer, homeowner
Heather Westenhofer, homeowner
Mr. Ely, referencing staff reports and minutes of previous Design Review Committee and
Planning Commission meetings, read favorable assessments and comments on the project
made by commissioners stating it was sympathetic to open space, it possessed character
defining features, and that it met Old Towne Design Standards. He noted the Design Review
Committee motion was to approve the project subject to the conditions contained in the Staff
Report, and the Staff Report referenced the Secretary of Interior Standards. In response to
questions by Mayor pro tem Smith he pointed to drawings to show the 10.5 linear feet of siding
being removed, with the remainder covered by the new addition, the 18 square feet of overlap
on the roofline, and the plans to relocate windows and replace an aluminum window with a
wood window.
Ms. Carder reviewed the reasons for the appeal by OTPA:
1. The original plan was to remove 31 feet of siding - that the current plans were submitted
after the appeal was submitted.
2. The Design Review Committee did not make required findings.
3. The remaining siding is being covered with new construction.
4. The Planning Commission addressed only the standard of reversibility; there was no
analysis of standards 2 through 5.
She noted the Secretary of Interior Standards are minimum standards.
She further suggested that other alternatives have not been considered, that there has been no
compromise from the Applicant, and reiterated that the process has not been properly followed.
Mayor pro tem Smith noted the subject house was built in 1923.
Mayor Cavecche asked Ms. Carder to explain her contention that the process in handling this
project was different than other projects.
Ms. Carder stated the required findings were not made, and that this has been an ongoing
problem.
Councilmember Dumitru noted the appeal may be invalid, as it addresses a removal of 31 feet
of siding, but the plans actually show it to be only 10 feet removed and 21 feet covered with
new construction.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
15. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (Continued)
Councilmember Whitaker agreed and read from the Planning Commission minutes which
reflect a removal of 10.5 feet - that the design change was made at the Planning Commission
meeting. He noted that new plans would not have been submitted if the changes were made at
the Planning Commission meeting.
Mayor pro tem Smith asked if OTPA wanted to withdraw their appeal.
Ms. Carder responded that they did not; and reiterated the confusion with appealing the plans
that were originally submitted.
City Attorney David DeBerry stated a resolution would have come back to the Planning
Commission outlining all the findings, except the issue was appealed. A Resolution will come
back to the Council with findings.
MOTION - Whitaker
SECOND - Dumitru
AYES - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
Moved to deny appeal on the grounds that the Design Review Committee said that based on
conditions in the staff report, that the project is in compliance with the Secretary of Interior
standards; and the Planning Commission deliberated and created a design that meets
guidelines.
Comments by Mayor pro tern Smith
Secretary of Interior Standards are not met if the following occurs: if proposed changes would
require a change or alteration so radical that the character defining features would be
compromised to a point where the structure no longer conveys its historical value. I do not
believe that the proposed changes are going to convey that this tiny little 1923 bungalow
residence is not a tiny 1923 bungalow residence. It still comes in at about 1,000 square feet,
which is small. It was included as a contributing structure in the district, at a little over 600
square feet, and the addition of 400 square feet, in my opinion, has not changed it. The
changes that are being proposed by the Planning Commission are clearly listed in the minutes
on page 15 of 28, when Mr. Knight, who is staff, stated staff understood what would be
maintained and what would not (referring to the plan). He stated a long gridline, being the
existing wall, would be maintained. Siding would be removed, the non - contributing aluminum
door would be removed, and the wall would be removed. The wall that would be removed
would be the wall that split the new bedroom and would be the only portion that would be
completely removed. That was called out earlier at the 10.5 feet area.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
15. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (Continued)
Also, the question of the roof line pitch complying. The exact same roofline pitch is applied to
the added roofline, it only overlaps in the whole roofline at 18 square feet, which to me is
extremely insignificant. It's not visible from the street – the addition. And the original
exterior wall is still visible from the interior. I'm going to tell you about my house, which was
built in 1888, with no indoor plumbing. Somewhere, when indoor plumbing was added, out in
the back in our guest bathroom, the exterior siding is still on two of the walls, because all they
did was build two more walls on the back corner of the house and put the bathroom back there.
The exterior walls have been there for 122 years on the interior of our house, so if the purist
wanted to come in and take that bathroom off, they still have the original footprint of the
house.
I want to propose that this is not an unusual occurrence in Old Towne. If you want to use the
restroom on the back porch of many of the houses you will see that two of the walls are the
exterior walls. I don't think that this addition changes the character of the house, it's a nice
design, and you can't see it from the street.
In addition, I don't know what we have overlooked all these years when room additions have
been put on the back of houses. We've let people take off the exterior back siding of the
houses and second stories have gone up, back walls have gone away and rooms have been
added on to the back, a second story up. I just don't understand what all the fuss is on this
particular house, because for many years, in compliance with our Design Standards and
Secretary of Interior Standards, projects have taken away far more original material than is
being removed from this house.
Councilmember Whitaker: My original laundry porch is gone because of our addition that was
put in with Design Standards.
Mayor pro tem Smith: There you go – total transparency on the Orange City Council. And
was that something you wanted to do, probably not. But if we're going to maintain the
economic viability of our neighborhood and have livable houses, some of these things have to
be compromises.
In terms of the Secretary of Interior Standards, and I won't read all of them, but there's always
going to be loss of historic fabric when you do a change. You're always going to lose
something; in this case it's very minimal. It's not a radical change. I will agree that there were
many fouls along the way, this process should have gone much more smoothly, and for that I
apologize to both the applicant and to OTPA who are very vigilant stewards of our historic
resources here in Old Towne. But let's face it, this is a tiny little addition on the back of a
house and it is not going to make or break either our historic district or the Mills contract. We
have to be careful and I've mellowed as a preservationist myself. Preservation doesn't mean
no change — preservation means preserving what you have in a sensitive way — looking back to
what we had and being able to re -use for the future. Otherwise, the option that I will propose
at the end of every conversation is: there is nothing to preclude the Westenhofers from
demolishing this house and starting over.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
15. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT (Continued)
So, would you rather have the house demolished and a new built there or can you sacrifice 10
feet, 6 inches of the wall and allow an 18 square foot overlay on the roof? Finally, I would like
to say that I think it's very sensitive of the Westenhofers to make this house, even at its small
size, earthquake proof. Part of their Mills Act contract is to bolt down the foundation, so this
little bungalow won't fall down. That is the epitome of sensitivity to historic preservation.
They are going to bolt down the front part and make the second part earthquake proof as well,
retrofit it. So I think that's quite admirable. The finding meets reversibility, which means that
if somebody wants to come back and go to the original structure they can peel off the new
build, and the little bungalow is still going to be there, add back 10.5 feet, replace that 18 sqare
feet on the roof and there it is again. So I am in favor of your proposal, your motion and your
second; I just wanted to put a little bit of support behind it.
The last thing I'd like to say is something I want to address to OTPA. It's not a secret in town
that I'm one of the co- founders of OTPA — 26 years ago, and I would much rather see that the
third option that OTPA provided tonight to solve this problem would have been moved up to
the first option. The absolute last thing that we should be looking to do as neighbors is litigate
against each other because we want to build a home in Old Towne. And, I think the offer of
OTPA to pay for an outside historic consultant could have come a lot earlier in the process. It
probably would have saved a lot of grief for all parties concerned. Litigation should be last on
the list.
And to OTPA, you have great expertise, you have wonderful members, you have financial
resources, and I get the feeling that you need a project, just given what you brought forward on
this one. So I'm going to suggest that you spend your energy educating our community even
more, and try to get some more people to retrofit their houses and bolt down the foundation so
that all doesn't fall down when the big one hits. Why don't you take a look at the St. Vincent
DePaul building on Almond as a project? Get a consultant in there to see how that building
could be preserved. Or get those Nutwood Foundation monuments rebuilt. That's what OTPA
should be spending it's time and money on, in my very humble opinion. I'm only venturing
out because of my intimate association with the group in the past. So with that, I'm happy to
vote to deny the appeal and hope that it's a lesson learned for all us.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2011
16. ADJOURNMENT — The City Council adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of City Council agenda of a
regular meeting of March 8, 2011 at Orange Civic Center kiosk, Police facility at 1107 North
Batavia, and the Main Public Library at 407 E. Chapman; all of said locations being in the City
of Orange and freely accessible to members of the public at least 72 hours before
commencement of said regular meeting; and available at the Civic Center City Clerk's Office.
M Y URP
CITY CLE
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