12-04-2019 DRC MinutesAPPROVED BY THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITEE ON DECEMBER 18, 2019
Page 1 of 6
FINAL MINUTES
CITY OF ORANGE December 4, 2019
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE 5:30 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT: Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner
Ashley Brodkin, Associate Planner
Monique Schwartz, Associate Planner
Jessica Wang, Administrative Specialist
Simonne Fannin, Recording Secretary
REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING:
1.1 CALL TO ORDER:
Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1.2 FLAG SALUTE:
Committee Member Skorpanich led the flag salute.
1.3 ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Committee Members McDermott, Fox, McCormack, Skorpanich, and Imboden.
1.4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Design Review Committee (DRC) on
matters not listed on the Agenda.
There were no speakers.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR:
2.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 6, 2019
A motion was made to approve the November 6, 2019 minutes as written.
MOTION: Skorpanich
SECOND: Imboden
AYES: McCormack, Fox, Skorpanich, McDermott, and Imboden
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
3. AGENDA ITEMS:
Continued Items: None
FINAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES December 4, 2019
Page 2 of 6
New Agenda Items:
3.1 DESIGN REVIEW NO. 4979-19 – METSOVAS PLAZA
Final determination regarding the awning fabric and color for a façade improvement to a
commercial building. The project was approved by the Design Review Committee on
August 7, 2019.
2091-2097 N. Tustin Street
Staff Contact: Ashley Brodkin, (714) 744-7238, abrodkin@cityoforange.org
DRC Action: Final Determination
Ashley Brodkin, Associate Planner provided an overview of the awning fabric and color
consistent with the staff report.
John Lopez, applicant, was available to speak on behalf of the project.
Chair McDermott opened the public hearing.
There were no speakers. The public hearing was closed.
Committee discussed their preference for the style, color, and location of the lighting.
Committee Member Fox made a motion to approve Design Review No. 4979-19 – Metsovas
Plaza based on the findings and conditions in the staff report with a recommendation:
If additional lights are needed to meet the photometrics, the applicant should select lights
of a similar style to the rectangular lights submitted to Design Review Committee for
their consideration.
SECOND: Imboden
AYES: McCormack, Skorpanich, Imboden, McDermott and Fox
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
3.2 DESIGN REVIEW NO. 4966-19 – 76 GAS STATION RENOVATION
Final determination regarding landscape/irrigation plans for a gas station renovation
project. The Design Review Committee recommended approval of the project to the
Planning Commission on September 18, 2019.
5344 E. Chapman Avenue
Staff Contact: Monique Schwartz, (714) 744-7224, mschwartz@cityoforange.org
DRC Action: Final Determination
Monique Schwartz, Associate Planner, provided an overview of the landscape and irrigation
plans consistent with the staff report.
Damon Forghani, owner, was available to speak on behalf of the project.
Chair McDermott opened the public hearing.
FINAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES December 4, 2019
Page 3 of 6
There were no speakers. The public hearing was closed.
The Committee asked the applicant if he would be willing to move the transformer two feet
closer to the wall in order to move the tree further away from the curb.
The applicant agreed to move the transformer closer to the wall.
Committee Member McCormack made a motion to approve Design Review No. 4966-19 –
76 Gas Station Renovation subject to the findings and conditions in the staff report with an
additional condition:
The applicant shall move the transformer to the south and west approximately 2 feet
in order to place the new Sycamore tree 5 to 6 feet away from the curb surrounding
the landscape planter.
SECOND: Skorpanich
AYES: McCormack, Skorpanich, Imboden, McDermott and Fox
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
3.3 DESIGN REVIEW NO. 4977-19 – RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE EXPANSION
A proposal to construct a 20,483 square foot addition to the Orange County Ronald
McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House would expand from 21 bedrooms to 44
bedrooms. A surface parking lot with 44 parking spaces will be provided on the south
side of the property. An existing historic single-family residence at 802 W. Culver
Avenue will be incorporated into the site and converted to office use.
383 S. Batavia Street and 802 W. Culver Avenue, Old Towne Historic District
Staff Contact: Marissa Moshier, (714) 744-7243, mmoshier@cityoforange.org
DRC Action: Preliminary Review
Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner, provided an overview of the project
consistent with the staff report.
Noel Burcelis, Ronald McDonald House Executive Director; Eric Pan, project
architect/applicant; Bob Stone, landscape architect; and Jan Van Dijs, project manager, all
spoke on behalf of the project.
Chair McDermott opened the public hearing.
David Schneider, Linda Duyette, Joe Schneider, Paula Acken, and Shari Carter, residents of
the neighborhood, and Jeff Frankel, Old Towne Preservation Association representative,
spoke in opposition of the project due to size of the addition, affected property values, and
parking & privacy concerns.
Darcy Golden, resident of the neighborhood, spoke in support of the project.
Chair McDermott closed the public hearing.
FINAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES December 4, 2019
Page 4 of 6
Ms. Moshier advised the residents that this is a preliminary review for the design of the
addition and they will have additional opportunities to voice their concerns at future
decision-making meetings.
The Committee had comments and questions on the following:
The relocated house at 802 W. Culver Avenue was part of the Sycamore Plaza project
and how the orange grove came to be.
Changes to the property where the historic residence is located.
The relocation of the house and the orange grove was part of the mitigation for the
previous construction that was brought to Planning Commission many years ago.
How landscape is determined for the Public Institution Zone.
Whether the proposed rezone will include the historic residence at 802 W. Culver
Avenue.
Whether the project will require a Section 106 review.
The purpose of the change to the General Plan designation.
If the garage will need to be moved due to the storm drain realignment.
Whether 44 parking spaces are sufficient for staff and guests.
Requirements to replace street trees that are being removed.
Development of the grading plan. Ms. Moshier responded it is being reviewed by Public
Works.
The building massing and design looks like a hotel. There is a disconnect between the
spirit of the Design Standards and the project. Size has not been sensitively addressed and
the project is not reflective of the historic character of the neighborhood.
View into neighboring properties must be eliminated from windows, outdoor balconies,
and terraces.
Trees on neighboring properties should not be used to reduce privacy impacts.
The landscape plan is the residual of what is left after the building has been designed.
The length of the porch is extreme.
Cantilevered tuck under parking is not traditional architecture; it is more contemporary.
However, some Committee Members were supportive of the tuck under parking because
it mitigates the appearance of a large parking area.
North and east façades provide views into the neighbor's property.
Roof pitch creates more massing, compared to the existing Ronald McDonald House.
Consider a separate building on the southwest corner next to the medical office building
where it would be more compatible with the surrounding properties and would reduce
privacy impacts. If the footprint shifts, orange trees may be preserved. Also, drainage
would not have to be rerouted.
A view shed study should be conducted for views from windows and decks into
neighboring properties.
The front setback is too close to the street. Some Committee Members would support
maintaining the existing front setback for the addition, but are opposed to reducing the
setback beyond the existing. Need context and outline of neighboring buildings on the
plans.
Landscape needs to be scaled to the architecture.
Look for plant material that will be sustainable in full shade as opposed to full sun.
FINAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES December 4, 2019
Page 5 of 6
The use of 100 feet of Cypress trees is not acceptable as a screening method for adjacent
properties.
The compatibility of fiber cement siding in the Historic District and to the Design
Standards.
Ms. Moshier thanked the Committee for their comments and recommendations.
RECESS: 7:57 p.m. – 8:06 p.m.
3.4 DESIGN REVIEW NO. 4989-19 – 114 N. OLIVE STREET
• A proposal to convert a 2,622 square foot historic industrial building to a restaurant in the
Old Towne Historic District.
• 114 N. Olive Street, Old Towne Historic District
• Staff Contact: Marissa Moshier, (714) 744-7243, mmoshier@cityoforange.org
• DRC Action: Final Determination
Committee Member Fox recused herself from this item, because her firm worked on the
project, and left the Council Chamber.
Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner, provided an overview of the project
consistent with the staff report.
Rick Fox, applicant; Adam Feliz, contractor; and Ben Spekjian, tenant’s representative,
spoke on behalf of the project.
Chair McDermott opened the public hearing.
Jeff Frankel, representing the Old Towne Preservation Association, spoke in support of the
project.
There were no other speakers. The public hearing was closed.
The Committee had comments and questions on the following:
Options for treatment and materials of the exterior block structure.
Whether the block structure should be treated the same as the historically significant
portion of the building.
Consider leaving the masonry structure as it is to remain authentic.
Timing of the patio cover returning to the DRC.
Nature of the easement on the south side of the property.
Concern that the fire stick plants, which are toxic, are located near the seating area.
There are discrepancies in paint colors on the plans that need to be corrected.
Consider options to minimize the starkness of the light colored building.
The visibility of equipment and optional screening materials.
The patio should stay simple and plans need to return to the DRC.
Decomposed granite migrates and is difficult to govern; it should be finished with a
bocce ball type mix.
FINAL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES December 4, 2019
Page 6 of 6
Committee Member Imboden made a motion to approve Design Review No. 4989-19 – 114
North Olive St. subject to the findings and conditions in the staff report with the additional
conditions as follows:
The proposed white color for the exterior plaster shall be replaced with a color
representative of natural cement plaster and should be reviewed and approved by staff.
The patio plans, including design details, landscape, colors and materials shall return to
the DRC for a final review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit for tenant
improvement work.
Second: Skorpanich
Ayes: McCormack, Skorpanich, Imboden and McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Fox
MOTION CARRIED.
4. ADJOURNMENT:
Chair McDermott adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.
The next Regular Design Review Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,
December 18, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.