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10-04-2006 DRC MinutesCITY OF ORANGE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES -FINAL 4 October 2006 Committee Members Present: Jon Califf Bill Cathcart Donnie DeWees Craig Wheeler Committee Members Absent: Joe Woollett Staff in Attendance: Leslie Aranda Roseberry, Planning Manager Anne Fox, Contract Staff Planner deKoven James, Planning Consultant Daniel Ryan, Senior Planner Historic Preservation Howard Morris, Senior Landscape Coordinator Mari Burke, Recording Secretary Administrative Session - 5:00 P.M. The Committee met for an administrative session beginning at 5:00 p.m. Regular Session - 5:30 P.M. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:43 p.m. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 2 of 14 Pages 1. DRC No. 4096-06 - KULCSAR RESIDENCE A request to construct a 1,989 square foot 2-story room addition to an existing 1,952 square foot, 1-story, single-family dwelling and an attached 400 square foot two-car garage. 1899 North Chouteau Street Staff Contact: de Koven James, 714-744-7219, jdekoven[a~,cityoforange.org DRC Action: Review and comment on revised elevations (continued from the September 6, 2006 meeting). A project overview was provided by Planning Consultant deKoven James. No public comment was provided on this item. Chair Califf asked the applicant what they intended as far as window treatment. The applicant responded they would be wood framed and on the rear of the house they would be EZ-fit vinyl. Committee Member Wheeler stated they should do what they could to ensure the windows on the addition match the existing residence. The applicant responded they would be replacing all the windows. Chair Califf stated he would be pleased to see the wood siding eliminated. The applicant questioned whether it would be acceptable to install French sliding doors on the front elevation. Chair Califf and Committee Member Wheeler both indicated that was acceptable. Chair Califf made a motion to approve DRC No. 4096-06 with the conditions listed in the Staff Report and two additional conditions: 1) The T1-11 wood siding on the front elevation is eliminated. 2) The window trim that currently exists should match the new windows. Chair Califf also noted French doors can be installed on the front elevation at the owners discretion. SECOND: Bill Cathcart AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 3 of 14 Pages 2. DRC No. 4111-06 - HOLLINS RESIDENCE A request to construct a manufactured home on a vacant lot creating a new single-family residence with an attached garage. 2505 East Taft Avenue Staff Contact: Anne E. Fox, (714) 744-7229, afox r,~,cityoforange.org DRC Action: Final Determination Contract Staff Planner Anne Fox provided a project overview for this project and the related DRC No. 4112-06 project, which was also under consideration at this meeting. The applicant stated there are distinct differences between modular homes and manufactured homes and she wanted to make it perfectly clear these would be manufactured homes. Public input was provided as follows: Katrina Mathes, address on file stated: All homes in Meredith Acres are either tri level or two stories. Manufactured homes would not visually match the existing residences. She is concerned that manufactured homes would harm their property values. Susan Parker, address on file stated: She is concerned with property values. This home is in the entrance to Meredith Acres and the quality and appearance won't match the existing homes. She is not supportive of this project. Michael Mathes, address on file stated: He is opposed to the project. He has lived in Meredith Acres for 20 years. They are second generation homeowners. His wife commutes 87 miles as they don't want to move from their dream home. He is concerned about property values if this project is approved. Meredith Acres is not the place for a manufactured home. Daniel Harper, address on file stated: He is a contractor in Orange. He owns a manufactured (trailer) home at the River. He lives in Hillcrest and his home backs up to Taft. Meredith Acres is on the border of Villa Park and modular homes are not appropriate there. He vehemently opposes this project. For the benefit of the public attendees Chair Califf and Committee Member Wheeler discussed the differences between manufactured and modular homes. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 4 of 14 Pages Public input continued as follows: Gladys Johnson, address on file stated: She has been a resident of Meredith Acres for 40 years. She wanted to know the value of the two manufactured homes being put up. She wanted to know the cost to build the homes. She was concerned about the resale values. Chair Califf responded that the costs and the value of the two homes were irrelevant to the application. Jeff Hewlett, address on file stated: He lives 8 houses down from the project. He wanted to reiterate what was stated by previous speakers with respect to property values being impacted. He is a general contractor. These homes are not built the same as the homes in Meredith Acres. These homes will be an eyesore. These homes will not last. These homes are wrong for the neighborhood. Mary Jane Stratman, address on file stated: She has lived in Hillcrest since 1981. She would like to see a home of this caliber in 40 years. Has an environmental study been done? What is the traffic pattern going to be? How many people will be living in these two homes? Did the applicant purchase this style home because they couldn't otherwise afford a home in Meredith Acres? She was not aware there was a previous meeting with the Design Review Committee relating to this project. She would like to see a continuance to this project to give the homeowners an opportunity to do some further research. Committee Member Cathcart asked Chair Califf if this project had ever been before the committee. Chair Califf responded it had not and added that perhaps it was the tract plan that had gone before the City Council. Ms. Fox interjected that it had not gone to City Council and suggested that perhaps Ms. Stratman had received a copy of the letter one of the other interested homeowners had circulated in the neighborhood. Committee Member DeWees asked Ms. Fox to address the environmental comments. Ms. Fox stated the environment issues were handled by the Building Department and a soil study would come under the purview of the Engineering Department if a grading plan were required. Further, Ms. Fox stated this project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 5 of 14 Pages Robert Dell, address on file stated: They were the original owners of their home which they purchased 41 years ago. He was opposed to the project. He would suggest the existing wall on Fern be kept as is so it is apparent these homes are not part of Meredith Acres. If the project were to be approved he would not be happy but at least the wall would provide some mitigation. The access off Taft should be restored as it was. Mary Romo, address on file stated: Her home is directly across from the proposed home. The proposed home would not match. She is opposed to the approval of this project. Mel Vernon, address on file stated: The pitch of the roof should be reviewed. The overhangs should be looked at. He is not pleased with the second story as it appears to be an after thought. John Hollins, address on file stated: He is the property owner. He and his sister inherited this property. The property has been owned by family since 1955. He and his sister have done research on the most feasible approach to building. They selected this style of home as they are built faster (generally 5-6 weeks). They are permanent structures on a foundation. They are trying to do everything they can to make them visually pleasing. The law will not permit the wall to be retained. The entry/exit off Taft will not be permitted. Three people will live in one of the homes; 1 person will live in the other. He apologized to those neighboring homeowners who were expressing displeasure with the proposed project. Polly Hollins, address on file stated: She is also a property owner. They have spent a lot of time checking out manufactured homes and options for building. She too apologized to homeowners who expressed displeasure. They looked very thoroughly at the construction of these homes as they didn't want to live in a trailer. They are not party people. She is hurt that they are not being given a chance to be the good neighbors they want to be. Amanda Cherry address on file stated: Her grandmother lives in Meredith Acres. Her grandfather worked very hard to get into the neighborhood. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 6 of 14 Pages It is a shame that the neighborhood will be negatively impacted by the imposition of a modular home. The applicant's representative, Norman Perez stated: The traffic should not be impacted. These homes have 2x6 walls versus 2x4 walls that are in many of the existing homes. The roof is wood-very similar in construction to the existing homes. Both homes will have stucco exteriors. The garage portion over the second floor occurs in about 20% of the existing homes. The attendees should go to Silvercrest.com and take the tour to familiarize themselves with the construction of the proposed homes. Also, there are homes in Corona where they can have a tour. Committee Member DeWees stated the charter of the Design Review Committee for the attendees that posed concerns that are outside of the purview of the committee. Committee Member DeWees stated the entry way is too asymmetrical and it should be congruent with the neighborhood. The applicant responded they were trying to enhance the entry. Committee Member DeWees suggested they restudy what currently exists in Meredith Acres as those entries are understated. Committee Member DeWees stated he didn't have an objection to the portion above the garage. Committee Member Wheeler suggested adding a walkway from the front door directly out to the Taft Avenue sidewalk to eliminate foot traffic across the landscaping. Committee Member Wheeler questioned if the note stating that the existing block wall reduced to 4'-0" high and the note about a 4'-0" high pvc fence would both be changed to 3'-6"? Ms. Fox responded this was already noted in the conditions. Committee Member Wheeler stated he assumed that the stucco is true 3 coat stucco that will be field applied; however, if the window trim shown as 1x3 is factory applied then the stucco and the face of the trim will be virtually flush with each other and he would rather see 2x trim or some sort of traditional stucco mold. Committee Member Wheeler asked if these homes would be constructed over crawlspaces and if so he asked how they would be accessed and vented? The discussion ensued about how deep below outside grade the bottom of the crawlspace would be and how it would be drained. Committee Member Wheeler clarified that the reason he asked these questions was to be sure these homes would actually be able to be set with their finish floor area so close to grade as was shown (but not dimensioned) on the drawings. If something were to change and the home had to be raised relative to the garages, he felt that the projects should come back to the committee for further review. He also pointed out that this would probably cause some problems with the access between the house and the garage on the Taft project. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 7 of 14 Pages Committee Member Wheeler suggested that the applicant check with the Building Department about the second floor access in the garage as he recalled that in the past, the department has required that a code designed staircase be used to access a "storage" area over a garage and has not permitted pull-down ladders. Chair Califf interjected that if there are windows, stairs are required. Committee Member Wheeler pointed out that on the left elevation of the Fern Street home it shows stone veneer stopping about 2 feet away from the inside corner and that the committee always requires that contrasting veneer materials extend to the nearest reentrant corner where feasible. Committee Member Wheeler requested larger fascia and more substantial eaves to match the existing residences. Committee Member Cathcart suggested the Fern Street project have a 3-car garage and a hip roof to be more compatible with the existing Meredith Acre homes. Chair Califf made a motion to continue DRC No. 4111-06 with comments provided by the committee and in the Staff Report. SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 8 of 14 Pages 3. DRC No. 4112-06 - HOLLINS RESIDENCE A request to construct a manufactured home on a vacant lot creating a new single-family residence with an attached garage. 1834 North Fern Street Staff Contact: Anne E. Fox, (714) 744-7229, afox c~cityouforan~g DRC Action: Final Determination Chair Califf made a motion to continue DRC No. 4112-06 with comments provided by the committee as noted in Item 2 (DRC 4111-06) and in the Staff Report. (A hardcopy of the list of issues raised by Committee Member Wheeler was provided to the applicant.) SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 9 of 14 Pages 4. DRC No. 4133-06 -THE LAZY DOG CAFE A request to remodel an existing restaurant building to establish a new restaurant including a facade remodel and signage. 1623 West Katella Avenue, Space 212 Staff Contact: Anne E. Fox, (714) 744-7229, afox a,cityoforange.org DRC Action: Recommendation to the Planning Commission Contract Planner Anne Fox provided a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. No public comment was provided on this item. Chair Califf made a motion to recommend approval to the Planning Commission subject to compliance with standard code provisions and the standard conditions recommended by Staff. Additionally he recommended the following specific conditions as they related to landscaping: 1) Final landscape and irrigation plans including all City required notes be submitted to the Community Services Department for final review and approval 2) The applicant reconsider the use of the tree varieties, specifically the New Zealand Christmas Tree and the Chinese Elm, since one attracts bees and the other has an invasive root system that requires significant mulched planter area separated from grassy areas, respectively. SECOND: Bill Cathcart AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 10 of 14 Pages 5. DRC No. 4144-06 -HARRIS ADDITION Proposed single-story, 967 sq. ft. addition to an existing Eichler residence. 1078 Granada Drive Staff Contact: Daniel Ryan, Senior Planner, 714-744-7225, drvan(c~cit ofyorange.org DRC Action: Final Determination Chair Califf made a motion to continue this item as the applicant was not present for discussion. SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 11 of 14 Pages 6. DRC No. 4143-06 -LAWRENCE ROOF ADDITION Proposed roof modification to an existing Eichler residence. 1301 N. Linda Vista Street Staff Contact: Daniel Ryan, Senior Planner, 714-744-7225, dryan(c~,cityoforange.org DRC Action: Final Determination Senior Planner Dan Ryan provided a project overview consistent with the Staff Report and noted that the project was being reviewed under the City's Infill Residential Guidelines. Mr. Ryan provided a draft copy of the historic preservation element of the general plan indicating the potential list of the three Eichler tracts and significant resources in the City. The applicant, Maxwell Lawrence stated: Fifteen years ago a petition was circulated and he signed up 43 (of 49) people in 3 hours that wanted the roofs of their Eichler homes re-done. They could not find a single roofer to take the job. His best friend (with his crew) took two weeks off his job to do the roofing job. The crew tore off the roof. He went to Genstar Materials and purchased 30-year materials; however, the materials leaked after only 10-12 years. He wants to put on a slightly sloped roof, which should alleviate the problems. The Building Department gave him a list of requirements. He did everything the Building Department requested. He got an Architectural Engineer that checked the plans and did exactly what was requested. Lights are shorting out and condensation is coming down the walls. (He provided photographs of the interior of the home.) The Eichler homes in Palo Alto have pitched roofs. (A magazine photograph was provided.). The house behind him (100' away) burnt down to the ground. His entire home is entirely open, with exposed wiring that could short out. Expediency is imperative now as the weather will begin to change. He is now being told his home is historical. He needs approval to finish the roof. There is no other acceptable solution, he has exhausted all other means of remedy to this project. The applicant provided copies of letters sent to Mayor Murphy in support of this project to the committee for review. Public input was provided as follows: Tiffany Mansouri, address on file stated: She lives around the corner from the applicant. She moved from Corona del Mar specifically due to the unique floor plan and characteristics of the Eichler home, the rectilinear form, with centered raised roof and flat side roofs are unique. Many improvements have been done. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 12 of 14 Pages To add a pitched roof, regardless of how slight the pitch is, would take away from the Eichler style. Lori Cantles, address on file stated: She lives immediately south of the project. She believes the roof should be restored to its original form, to reflect this valued Eichler home. The proposed roof does not have clean lines and simple form. As the age of the homes approach fifty (50) years, an opportunity exists to be listed on the historical registry. The applicant needs to respect the design that Mr. Eichler had intended. The flat roof form is a defining element of the Eichler homes. Kevin Wilkeson, address on file stated: Staff did an excellent job in providing the background to the project. He agreed completely with the Staff recommendations. He was there to speak in opposition of the request to modify the residence. Bill Koenig, address on file stated: He has lived in the neighborhood for ten (10) years. Eichler homes have distinct design characteristics. He suggested the committee deny the request. Brian Jacobs, address on file stated: He is on the Board for the Fairhaven Association. There are 100 homes in the tract. Notice has been served that an application to the State Office of Historic Preservation has been made to nominate the Fairhaven Tract of Eichler homes for listing as a National Registered Historic District. The Eichler design characteristics are what the existing homeowners wanted when they moved into the area. The roof form is a main visible feature on the front facade of the subject home. To change the design would mean a loss of historical fabric. He was in opposition of the project. Committee Member DeWees stated the committee concerns themselves with the loss of historical fabric within the City and in his opinion, Eichler is a classic example of that fabric and he could not support this application as submitted. Committee Member Wheeler stated he could not allow a foreign element to be introduced into the Eichler design for expediency. Instead he suggested a built up with tapered insulation that would only slightly pitch the roof. (A sketch was provided to the applicant.) The applicant interjected that he had purchased Genstar materials, which were represented to last thirty (30) years, and they did not hold up to the environmental issues. Chair Califf responded that unfortunately the committee could not get into specifics of roof companies or materials to use. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 13 of 14 Pages Mr. Ryan made reference to the roofing company used by many other Eichler homeowners. The applicant responded he has contacted the company referenced and they only do business in Northern California. Chair Califf stated his biggest concern in this situation was the cumulative affect and he pointed out the committee looks at the aesthetic impact to the entire neighborhood. The applicant provided photographs of how the home would look upon completion and reiterated that the Palo Alto Eichler homes have all gone to the same style sloped roof. Committee Member DeWees responded that the design changes to the Palo Alto homes are irrelevant. Chair Califf stated there are two options available, one is to deny the project and the applicant can appeal to the Planning Commission. The other option was to continue the project and allow the applicant to return with modifications as discussed. Chair Califf made a motion to deny DRC No. 4143-06 as presented. SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler, NOES:None ABSTAIN:None ABSENT:Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Ryan provided details of the appeal process to the applicant. Mr. Lawrence requested an appeal form that was provided by Mr. Ryan. City of Orange -Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for 4 October 2006 Page 14 of 14 Pages Chair Califf made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2006 meeting with revisions as noted. SECOND: Donnie DeWees AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler, NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. A motion was made by Chair Califf to adjourn until the next scheduled session on October 18, 2006. SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Jon Califf, Bill Cathcart, Donnie DeWees, Craig Wheeler, NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Joe Woollett MOTION CARRIED. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:43 p.m.