Loading...
2015-09-16 DRC Final MinutesCITY OF ORANGE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES - FINAL Committee Members Present: Tim McCormack - Chair Carol Fox — Vice Chair Robert Imboden Anne McDermott Craig Wheeler September 16, 2015 Staff in Attendance: Robert Garcia, Senior Planner Jennifer Le, Acting Principal Planner Marissa Moshier, Associate Planner — Historic Preservation Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner Sharon Penttila, Recording Secretary Administrative Session — 5:00 Chair McCormack opened the Administrative Session at 5:06 p.m. Chair McCormack inquired if there was any Policy or Procedural information. Robert Garcia, Senior Planner, indicated there was no Policy or Procedural information. Committee Member Wheeler indicated he would be recusing himself from the last two items. Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner, gave the Committee an update on a Special Session being held on October 21 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Chapman University to discuss the paint color on the north side of the Performing Arts Center building. Committee Member Wheeler asked if the hanging signs on the Swift & Swift Building were approved. Marissa Moshier, Associate Planner — Historic Preservation, said no, but staff had been in contact with the property owner. Committee Members reviewed the Design Review Committee minutes for September 2, 2015. Committee Member McDermott distributed a flyer announcing the Urban Landscape and Garden Education Expo being held by the University of California on September 26th in Irvine. Committee Member Wheeler made a motion to close the Administrative Session of the Design Review Committee meeting. SECOND: Carol Fox AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, Anne McDermott, and Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED. Administrative Session adjourned at 5:26 p.m. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 2 of 13 Regular Session — 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: All Committee Members were present. 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 (1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 2, 2015 Committee Member Fox made a motion to approve the minutes from the Design Review Committee meeting of September 2, 2015 as emended during the discussion at the Administrative Session. SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Carol Fox, Tim McCormack, Anne McDermott, and Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Robert Imboden MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 3 of 13 AGENDA ITEMS Continued Item: 2) DRC No. 4797 -15 Village at Orange Sign Program • A proposal for adoption of a new master sign program for the Village at Orange shopping center. The first review of the project took place on August 5, 2015. • 1500 E. Village Way • Staff Contact: Kelly Ribuffo, 714. 744.7223, kribuffo @cityoforange.org • DRC Action: Recommendation to the Planning Commission Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. She discussed the five major issues the Committee commented on at the August 5 DRC meeting. The applicants who were present for this project were Linda Smith and Connie O'Connor. Public Comments: Chair McCormack opened the item to the Public for comments. There were none. Ms. Ribuffo indicated the applicant had sent a minor correction to the sign program in which the location of Pylon 3 was slightly modified but was shown correctly in the landscape drawings. Chair McCormack opened the item to the Committee for discussion. The DRC commented on the following: • Questioned if there were any parking spaces being lost. Ms. Ribuffo said no. • Questioned the use of blade signs. Ms. Ribuffo disclosed it was the option of the tenant. • Questioned the placement of the rods supporting the letters on the "The Village" freestanding sign. Another way to support the letters was suggested. Ms. Smith stated the suggested method would not work with the letter "G ". • Questioned if the existing pylons on the west side of the rear entrances would be removed. Ms. Ribuffo stated all the existing freestanding signs on the site would be replaced. She explained that when 60% of the signage on the site has been replaced with signage from the approved program, all the remaining signage has to be brought up to code. • Questioned the clearance between the M4 sign and the building on Page 08. Ms. Ribuffo said she would ask the Building Department if they had any issues with the proximity of the sign. • Questioned if the existing palm would be removed where directional sign D3 was located on Page 10. Ms. Smith said yes. • Questioned the material of the cabinets on the monument and pylon signs. Ms. Smith stated the material was aluminum. Ms. O'Connor explained the material was referenced in the Sign Program on pages 12 and 13. • Questioned the color and temperature of the LED lights and wanted all the lights to be consistent. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 4 of 13 • Wanted to know the minimum height below the directional blade signs shown on Exhibit 3 on Page 14. Suggested making it 36 ". • Recommended using low profile plants under the monument signs. • Wanted to be sure the landscaping along Tustin Street was coordinated. • Noted the need to proofread the Sign Program for typographical errors. Committee Member Imboden made a motion to recommend approval of DRC No. 4797 -15, Village at Orange Sign Program, to the Planning Commission based on the findings and conditions listed in the Staff Report, and with the additional conditions: 1. Before the project advances to the Planning Commission, that the drawing be revised to reflect the removal of the existing signs at the southeast and northeast corner of the JC Penney building in conformance with the Sign Program requirements established in the Orange Municipal Code. 2. The sign identified as M4 be reviewed with the Building Department to confirm feasibility of the proposed location in regard to its adjacency to the building and the door. 3. Color temperature of the proposed LED lights to be used in the signs be both consistent and coordinated to match with the other exterior site lighting. 4. Prior to advancing to the Planning Commission, the drawings be modified to indicate a minimum 36" clearance below the bottom of the lowest sign and finished grade, and that the landscape plantings remain low and close to grade per the approved landscape package for the directional signs. SECOND: Carol Fox AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, Anne McDermott, and Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 5 of 13 New Agenda Items: 3) DRC No. 4790 -14 — AFG Property Investments Parking Deck • A proposal to construct a two level parking deck in order to provide additional parking for proposed medical uses at an existing two -story office building. • 3745 W. Chapman Avenue • Staff Contact: Robert Garcia, 714.744.7231, rgarcia @cityoforange.org • DRC Action: Recommendation to Planning Commission Robert Garcia, Senior Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. The applicants who were present for this project were Brij Patel and Michael Schaffer. Public Comments Chair McCormack opened the item to the Public for comments. There were none. Chair McCormack opened the item to the Committee for discussion. The DRC commented on the following: • Questioned the elevations on Sheet A3 which stated the proposed exterior materials were to match existing style and color — did that mean it wouldn't be the stone but the painted concrete. • Asked why the stairs were not shown. Mr. Schaffer explained they were behind the precast panels. • Questioned the plan which stated the proposed green screen planting was to the match existing. Mr. Schaffer stated that they were proposing where there were openings they would use the planting material for the green screen and it would be behind the existing hedge. Committee suggested striking the term "match existing ". • Asked if the applicant had considered using a texture on the concrete on the lighter color areas and making it replicate the characteristic of the existing building. • Suggested that contrasting the paint color would make it better since it would never look like the stone and would look like pretend stone. Suggested using a darker color. • Questioned the parking ramp railing and where it transitions from slope to flat on the ramp on the north elevation. Mr. Schaffer agreed that it should be parallel to the top of the parapet so it ties together. • Questioned how the ramp connects to the structure. Mr. Schaffer said it was freestanding from the structure. • Asked if the trees on the existing plans were going to be removed. Mr. Schaffer indicated those being removed were noted with an "R ". The four cypress trees would be removed due to the stairwell. • Mr. Garcia confirmed that the site will still have enough trees per City code. • Suggested continuing the green screen on the south side. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 6 of 13 • Wanted a final planting plan to come back to the Committee with the green screen as part of the review. Committee Member Fox made a motion to recommend approval of DRC No. 4790 -14, AFG Property Investments Parking Deck, to the Planning Commission based on the findings and conditions listed in the Staff Report, and with the additional conditions: 1. The paint on the new concrete elements be only one color and that would be the DE6084 Roxy Brown. 2. The green screen would continue at the south side of the parking structure under the ramp. 3. A landscape final planting plan return to the Committee prior to building permit issuance. SECOND: Craig Wheeler AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, Anne McDermott, and Craig Wheeler NOES: None ABSENT: None City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 7 of 13 4) DRC No. 4675 -14- Metrolink Parking Structure Project • A proposal to construct a new parking structure at the northwest corner of Chapman Avenue and Lemon Street. The structure would provide 611 parking spaces on five levels (two below grade, one at grade and two above grade). • 130 N. Lemon Street, Old Towne Historic District • Staff Contact: Jennifer Le, 714 - 744 - 7238, ilekcityoforange.org • DRC Action: Preliminary Review Committee Member Wheeler recused himself, due to the proximity to his office, and left the room. Jennifer Le, Acting Principal Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. Damon Dusterhoft and Gus Puertas, from LPA, were present to answer any questions the Committee Members had. Mr. Dusterhoft and Mr. Puertas explained the design team's proposed solutions to the DRC comments made at the July 15th meeting. Responses to the comments were outlined in the current staff report. Public Comments Chair McCormack opened the item to the Public for comments. Jeff Frankel, address on file, stated that OTPA had met with staff, and attended workshops and community meetings regarding the parking structure. OTPA had sent a letter to the City in support of the project. They appreciated the efforts that were made to address their concerns including the height of the elevator structures, the lighting, and the solar panels. Their preference was to support vertical landscape versus wall art and found the new proposed brick color was a better solution. Chair McCormack opened the item to the Committee for discussion. The DRC has the following comments: Elevations /Design Elements • Questioned the open mullion treatment on Maple Avenue. Suggested using brick instead of the openings. • Questioned the height of the parapet /railing on the top level. The Committee was told it was 3' 10" and it was expected that the parapet would block headlights. It was explained that the building height limit in the Specific Plan was 28' and this parking structure was 25'. • Mr. Dustorhoft stated the vent was now to be 8' x 8'. • The DRC thought the new proposal looked better. • Wanted an example of what the prefab brick wall and wall color would look like. It appeared everything was the same color, looked manufactured, needed more contrast or art, and expressed concern for the monotony of the prefab appearance. • Concerned with the building finish since it was not something they were used to. • Concerned it was a big blank space, and the fagade showed weakness. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 8 of 13 • Concerned if it was simple, it had to be right and didn't want it to come across as cheap prefab. • Suggested having photographs of other buildings that have brick imbedded precast and have one the Committee could look at. Mr. Garcia said they could provide a list of buildings nearby that may have precast walls. • Questioned the fenestration situation on the north fagade. Suggested to not put an open frame against the solid concrete wall. Either replace the system with solid brick or use opaque glass in the frames. • Suggested using a panel of brickwork. • Suggested breaking down the scale of the masonry. Color and Materials • Liked the two -tone brick blend color now being proposed. • Did not understand the need for the brown glass and concerned how it would show scratched graffiti. Preference was indicated for the clear glass. Landscaping • Agreed with the use of the Lavender Trumpet Tree on Maple Avenue and the Magnolia on Lemon Street as well as the use of Escallonia but not with the Nandina. • Questioned the use of the Prunus caroliana and suggested allowing it to grow to a taller height. • Noted there could be a problem with the Agave as it grows older. • Concerned with the linear root barriers and wanted more root zone area. • Discussed the use of structural soil. Mr. Puertas indicated this soil could not be used on the trees located on Lemon Street (Magnolia Tree) and Maple Avenue (Lavender Trumpet Tree). • Suggested using an aluminum tree grate to make it more interesting. Ms. Le had some samples of tree grates that were suggested for the Depot Specific Plan area. Mr. Puertas was looking for one off the shelf. Committee Member suggested using a rectangle shaped tree grate. • Questioned if the street trees would be uplighted. Ms. Le indicated that had not been considered. • Ms. Le stated the trees wells were 7' x 6', making them rather large. • Questioned the use of green screen in lieu of the public art. • Would like to see photographic examples of the proposed landscaping plants. • Summarized comments: let the Prunus be and get more height; consider exposing the base of the structure to show the precast; look into the planting medium and the planting fit for the trees and the use of structural soils; not sold on the Nandina and the use of the Agaves from a long term perspective. Public Art • Questioned if there was any money for public art. Ms. Le said there is currently no budget for it. • Questioned if there could be public art in the future. Ms. Le indicated there was that intent and that needed to be determined now in order to finalize the design. • Agreed there was an opportunity for public art and the building could be designed for future art. Ms. Le said if the art was added in the future, it would have to go through a process. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 9 of 13 • Noted the landscape cannot overpower the building so there was an opening for some interest in art. Lightin • Ms. Le had received direction from the last meeting about the lighting. She confirmed that acorn lighting would be used and there would be no uplighting on the building but just on certain entrances. • Questioned if the building could accommodate lighting for future art. Mr. Dusterhoft indicated there would be conduits installed for anything added in the future. • Questioned if there would be bright security light coming out of the building. Mr. Dusterhoft stated the roof top lighting was not envisioned to be visible and would not spill over the edge. Lighting inside the garage would be direct /indirect so the ceiling and ground would be lit with LED lights. • Would like to see any ceiling mounted fixtures be held back from the building perimeter as far as possible and still retain the needed light levels. • Ms. Le explained that they made some exhibits on the height of the lights on top of the structure that show how the lights would look from various points around the community. • Asked if this project would require Planning Commission approval and it would. For preliminary review only — no action is required. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 10 of 13 5) DRC No. 4817 -15 — Watson's Storefront Rehabilitation • 116 -120 E. Chapman Avenue, Plaza Historic District • A proposal to rehabilitate the existing storefront at Watson's and to install new signage. • Staff Contact: Marissa Moshier, 714 - 744 -7243, mmoshierkcityoforange.org • DRC Action: Final Determination Committee Member Wheeler had recused himself due to the proximity to his office and his continued business relationship with the owner of the building. Marissa Moshier, Associate Planner — Historic Preservation, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. She stated the applicant had material samples and pieces of the building. The applicants who were present for this project were Jon Califf, Bill Skeffington, and Alan Haustad. Mr. Califf shared a piece of wall material found under the blue canopy and described the texture and colors of the building. Public Comments Chair McCormack opened the item to the Public for comments. Jeff Frankel, address on file, stated three OTPA members had met with the applicant and toured the building. He had the following comments: • The building has an aluminum store front and any changes to the doors needed to be aluminum to match. • The tile needs to be addressed because the tiles currently are mismatched and chipped. • This building is past due for rehabilitation. • Any railing installed should be appropriate for the building on the front facade. • OTPA supports the project. • The sign appears appropriate. • Anything that is uncovered or revealed that is historic during this rehabilitation such as signage needs to be retained and preserved. • Crown molding on the interior has been revealed along with some plaster relief work on the ceilings and those should be retained. Chair McCormack opened the item to the Committee for discussion. The DRC had the following comments: • Noted that there was no idea what the fagade was when the building was remodeled with the plaster finish. Ms. Moshier stated there are photographs only from the early 1900s and late 1940s and early 1950s and there was a period where there was no documentation. • Did not understand the reveal in the area between the two storefronts on Chapman. Mr. Califf explained it was a steel column and sticks out 3 /4" from the stucco face and they were going to bring the stucco up to it. • Questioned if the patio was staying. Mr. Califf said yes. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 11 of 13 • Concerned that this building in some way was being restored to an appearance that never really existed historically and would have to be careful about that since it was technically outside the established period of significance for the historic district. • Questioned the use of the gate on the front elevation and whether that was where patrons entered to eat. Applicant stated the entry would be on the bakery side. • Concerned with the amount of railing that was in the downtown area and whether that created a new street scene. • Concerned with the tile replacement and requested staff review the material. • Glad to get the canopy back with removal of the awning. • Liked the corner sign. • Suggested using a smooth finished plaster above the corner storefront to differentiate between the two storefronts. It could be the same or different color. Without differentiation, it could be creating a false history to the building. Mr. Califf explained that the brick was still there. The brick sits on a steel beam and everything below the brick is 1949, 1950. • Suggested ways to highlight the new entry at the corner storefront, such as adding a sign or a color to distinguish the entry. Ms. Moshier clarified that one wall sign per elevation was allowed but there was a provision in the Old Towne Design Standards that states that historically referenced signs as documented from the original building photographs may exceed the standard. • Suggested moving the gate on the railing down so people would not see it as an entrance. • Asked if the benches on Orange Street were part of the project. Mr. Califf said no. • Suggested using the Van de Kamp font on a sign above the corner storefront that would reference a historic sign. • Suggested making the building feel like one establishment. • Concerned there were a lot of colors being used. Mr. Califf stated that some of the areas would be different materials with the same color. • Suggested changing the green color at the top of the building. • Concerned with the railing being painted black and suggested using aluminum which would match the storefront. There was concern that the aluminum color would make it look like a cage and suggested using a charcoal color. • Questioned the louvers on Orange Street and suggested making them a lighter color than the proposed color and perhaps making them the same color as the body color. • Discussed bringing all the windows back on Orange Street in place of the louvers. • Asked that the restoration treatment of the existing historic tile be vetted through Ms. Moshier. • Various color options were discussed and incorporated into the conditions and recommendations listed below. Committee Member Fox made a motion to approve DRC No. 4817 -15, Watson's Storefront Rehabilitation, based on the findings and conditions listed in the Staff Report, and with the additional conditions: 1. For the restoration of the blue tile, the treatment shall be reviewed and approved by staff. 2. The frieze above the canopy over the entry (the former Van de Kamp portion of the building) shall have a different treatment than the adjacent surface above the Watson's storefront which is to be either smooth plaster or a horizontal combed surface. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 12 of 13 3. The historic brick cornice above that frieze shall be exposed to the greatest extent possible. 4. The fence /gate on the Chapman elevation shall be painted the charcoal color. With the following recommendations: 1. The cornice may be painted a terracotta -like color that matches the existing tile at the parapet. 2. The band below the existing green cornice may be painted a contrasting color. 3. Existing vents on the east elevation may be replaced with windows to match the one existing window that does remain. 4. The windows that are above the canopy on the east side may be restored. SECOND: Robert Imboden AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott NOES: None ABSENT: None RECUSED: Craig Wheeler MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange — Design Review Committee Final Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2015 Page 13 of 13 ADJOURNMENT: Committee Member Fox made a motion to adjourn to the next regularly scheduled Design Review Committee meeting on October 7, 2015. SECOND: Robert Imboden AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott NOES: None ABSENT: Craig Wheeler MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 9:39 p.m.