09-05-2019 DRC MinutesCITY OF ORANGE
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES –FINAL
September 5, 2019
Committee Members Present: Anne McDermott – Chair
Mary Anne Skorpanich – Vice Chair
Tim McCormack
Carol Fox
Robert Imboden
Staff in Attendance: Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner
Kim Kinsler, Administrative Assistant
Jessica Wang, Administrative Specialist
Regular Session – 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Committee Members McCormack, Skorpanich, Imboden, McDermott, and Fox were present.
FLAG SALUTE:
Vice Chair Skorpanich led the flag salute.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Design Review Committee on matters not
listed on the Agenda.
There were no speakers.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Item (1) Design Review No. 4968-19 – Dong Residence was removed from consent to be discussed
by the Committee.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Continued Items: None
New Agenda Items:
(1) Design Review No. 4968-19 – Dong Residence
A proposal to construct an 840 square foot addition at the rear of an existing single -family
residence. The property is a non-contributing resource to the Old Towne Historic District.
621 E. Sycamore Avenue
Staff Contact: Kelly Ribuffo, (714) 744-7223, kribuffo@cityoforange.org
DRC Action: Final Determination
Staff and the Committee discussed the consistency in adhering to design standards regarding wood
windows that are not visible from the street.
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Final Minutes for Meeting on September 5, 2019
Page 2 of 7
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner, provided an overview of the project consistent with the staff
report.
Chair McDermott invited the applicant to step forward.
Fabian Arturo, consultant for the project, spoke on behalf of the proposal.
Chair McDermott opened the public comment portion of the meeting.
There were no speakers. Chair McDermott closed the public comment portion of meeting.
The Committee had comments and questions on the following:
Some elevations are mislabeled on the plans.
The roof eave line has a jog which is not reflected in the plans.
The need to modify the findings to address the compatibility of the project with the Old
Towne Historic District.
The representation of the front door in the drawings as a flush door while the proposed door
specified is a Craftsman style wood door which is not appropriate.
Committee Member Imboden motioned to approve Design Review No. 4968 – 19 - Dong residence,
finding that the project is consistent with the staff report with the following revisions made to the
findings:
In Finding #1, the third sentence of the finding shall read "that the addition will be only
minimally visible from the street…. therefore the project will have almost no impact to the
streetscape along East Sycamore…."
In Finding #3, the period at the end of the sentence shall be replaced with a comma and the
following phrase shall be added "as the proposed project is consistent and compatible to
similar homes of this vintage within the Historic District and that the proposed materials
match those that are existing on the building."
SECOND: Skorpanich
AYES: McCormack, McDermott, Fox, Skorpanich, and Imboden
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.
(2) Design Review No. 4980-19 – Caesar Residence
A proposal to construct a new detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) behind an existing
single-family residence. The property is a contributing historic resource within the Old
Towne Historic District.
166 N. Cambridge Street
Staff Contact: Kelly Ribuffo, (714) 744-7223, kribuffo@cityoforange.org
DRC Action: Final Determination
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Final Minutes for Meeting on September 5, 2019
Page 3 of 7
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner provided an overview of the new ADU consistent with the staff
report.
She noted that staff has not made a specific recommendation and is asking the Committee to decide
whether the project could meet the required findings for compatibility with the Historic Preservation
Design Standards for Old Towne and the Secretary of Interior’s Standards.
Chair McDermott invited the applicant to step forward for further comment.
Michael Mocaby spoke on behalf of the project.
Chair McDermott opened the public comment portion of the meeting.
There were no speakers. Chair McDermott closed the public comment portion of meeting.
The Committee had comments and questions on the following:
Parking requirements for nonconforming uses and ADUs.
The building mass associated with the ADU; the house and ADU read as one building.
Aesthetically, the project is too compressed on the property. It is difficult to make the
findings for approval.
The driveway gate contributes to the reduced parking area and should be removed.
There is a lack of balance between structures versus open space.
Cutting the eaves of the existing home in order to minimize the distance between the two
buildings is not an acceptable approach.
The drawings do not give the context that shows the existing house and how it relates to the
new project.
Windows are facing each other between the house and the ADU, which is a privacy concern.
The addition is appropriately designed as far as the detailing and roof forms.
The distance separation between the house and ADU is not the only problem; it is also the amount of
square footage on the lot.
Committee Member Skorpanich made a motion to continue Design Review No. 4980 – 19 – Caesar
Residence in order for the applicant to redesign the project.
SECOND: McCormack
AYES: McCormack, McDermott, Fox, Skorpanich, and Imboden
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.
RECESS: 6:23 - 6:29 p.m.
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Final Minutes for Meeting on September 5, 2019
Page 4 of 7
(3) Design Review No. 4974-19 – ARCO Gas Station Signage
A proposal for new signage for the conversion of an existing gas station to the ARCO brand
in the Old Towne Historic District.
700 W. Chapman Avenue, Old Towne Historic District
Staff Contact: Marissa Moshier, (714) 744-7243, mmoshier@cityoforange.org
DRC Action: Final Determination
Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner, provided an overview of the signage consistent with
the staff report.
Dave Bartl, spoke on behalf of the project and provided a visual presentation.
Ms. Moshier explained the Historic Preservation Design Standards that are applicable to the Historic
District related to signage.
Chair McDermott opened the public hearing.
PJ Singh, owner of the gas station, spoke in support of the project.
There were no other speakers. Chair McDermott closed the public comment portion of meeting.
The Committee had comments and questions on the following:
Material and fascia of the pump island canopy.
The service station on Glassell Street and Walnut Avenue was approved in 2016/17 with a
vinyl decal on the canopy and plastic material on the light bar. Ms. Moshier stated at that
time, the Committee made a determination that it was reasonable for the branding of the
station.
Age of the building and whether or not the neon signage is the original signage. Ms. Moshier
explained the signage is outside the period of significance for the Historic District; the
building is a non-contributor to the Historic District.
The age of the Mitchell sign, and whether it was historical and should be removed. Ms.
Moshier indicated that it is not designated as historic signage.
The canopy and the building have a strong connection to each other on the property right
now is lost with the new proposal. The proposed treatments for the canopy will make it much
more contemporary than the building itself.
The existing canopy has a red cornice that matches the building behind it, but the renderings
show a completely flat face.
There is too much plastic on the project.
Signage on the pump toppers causes visual clutter.
The Committee would like to see a more site specific design.
The Committee cannot use the ARCO on Glassell Street and Walnut Avenue as justification
for this project because it was not built to plan.
Mike Glassman, a representative of ARCO, pointed out the significance and importance of the price
sign for the business. If the sign is not allowed per the plan, the applicant will have a competitive
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Final Minutes for Meeting on September 5, 2019
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disadvantage. The lighting from the canopy ensures safety for nighttime patrons. He asked if the
Committee would approve an externally illuminated sign and brushed aluminum with non-
illuminated valances and externally illuminated channel letters on the canopy with a laser line
around it.
Committee Member Skorpanich attempted to make a motion to approve Design Review No. 4974 –
19- ARCO Gas Station Signage in conformance with the conditions and findings in the staff report
with an additional condition as follows:
The pole sign shall be faced with non-plastic and not internally illuminated.
Marissa Moshier stated the findings in the staff report are for denial and asked the Committee
Member to restate the motion and explain why they find the application is in conformance with the
Design Standards.
Committee Member Skorpanich modified her motion to include:
Finding #1 shall read "In the Old Towne Historic District, the proposed work for the pole
sign conforms to the prescriptive standards and design criteria referenced and or
recommended by the DRC and other reviewing body for the project."
Finding #2 shall read "In any National Register Historic District, the proposed work complies
with the Secretary of Interior Standards and Guidelines for the pole sign."
Finding #3 is modified to indicate that the project is internally consistent and consistent with
the applicable design standards as described in Findings #1 and #2.
The Committee discussed how to make the findings.
Chair McDermott clarified that the motion is to approve with a condition to modify the pole sign and
does not address any of the other comments.
Marissa Moshier reiterated the motion that was made was to approve the project with the valances
and canopy as proposed with one condition to modify the re-face of the pole sign to a non-plastic
face with external illumination.
Committee Member Skorpanich revised her motion to approve Design Review No. 4974 – 19
ARCO Gas Station Signage with the findings and conditions as described before with one additional
condition as follows:
The face of the pole sign shall be fabricated of aluminum and be externally illuminated.
SECOND: Fox
Committee Members and staff discussed the various motions that have been placed on the table.
Committee Member Fox withdrew her second and a straw poll was taken on the motion.
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Final Minutes for Meeting on September 5, 2019
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All five Committee Members stated they could not support the motion.
The Committee Members asked the applicant if the plastic signage on top of the pumps is necessary
and if ARCO ever had any deviations from that size and material.
Mr. Glassman responded that the applicant has agreed to a brushed aluminum, externally
illuminated, non-plastic pole sign. The valances are important for brand identification.
Marissa Moshier explained for the applicant 's benefit that the removal of the plastic from the pole
sign is not sufficient for the Committee to make the Findings. The Committee is asking if other
plastic elements can be reduced, either in the size of the valance or the canopy.
The Committee Members stated the blue vinyl decal on the canopy could be painted or aluminum.
Mr. Glassman stated the size of the valances can be reduced. He asked what other suggestions the
Committee can make in order to move the process forward. He asked for a recess in order to talk
with his team.
RECESS: 7:47 - 7:58 p.m.
Upon reconvening, Mr. Glassman proposed a non-illuminated, brushed aluminum price sign and
valances, everything would be externally illuminated; however, the channel letters and decal would
remain as proposed.
The Committee and the applicant's team further discussed the LED laser lighting and canopy.
Committee Member Fox made a motion to approve Design Review No. 4974 – 19 ARCO Gas
Station Signage with the conditions listed in the staff report, with the additional conditions as
follows:
The pole sign shall be painted aluminum and externally lit.
The valances shall be painted aluminum
Based on the following Findings:
o Finding #1: The proposed project is in conformance with the Historic Preservation
Design Standards for Old Towne which are the prescriptive design criteria for
projects within the Old Towne Historic District. The proposed signage materials meet
the requirements of the Design Standards and are consistent with other materials
within the Historic District.
o Finding #2 does not apply.
o Finding #3: Projects located within Old Towne Historic District must comply with the
Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne and the Secretary of Interior
Standards as applicable. As described above, the proposed work does comply with
these Design Standards.
o Finding #4 does not apply.
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Final Minutes for Meeting on September 5, 2019
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Marissa Moshier clarified that the painted aluminum pole sign, and the painted aluminum at the
valances will match the colors that are proposed in the signage package.
SECOND: Skorpanich
AYES: McDermott, Fox, Skorpanich, and Imboden
NOES: McCormack
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair McDermott adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18, 2019.