2017-01-04 DRC Final Minutes CITY OF ORANGE
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES - FINAL
January 4, 2017
Committee Members Present: Carol Fox - Chair
Robert Imboden
Tim McCormack
Anne McDermott
Staff in Attendance: Robert Garcia, Senior Planner
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner
Melissa Castillo, Recording Secretary
Administrative Session—5:00
Chair Fox opened the Administrative Session at 5:04 p.m.
Chair Fox inquired if there were any Policy or Procedural information.
Committee Member Imboden read a letter he composed on behalf of the DRC to Community
Development Director, William Crouch. City Manager, Rick Otto was copied in the letter. The letter
addresses the DRC's concern regarding the demolition review process being done in a more expedient
way. The consensus expressed by the committee was for a more robust demolition review process in
order to detour unpermitted demolitions. The committee also expressed the urgency of this issue, due
to the recent number of unpermitted demolitions occurring on properties designated as having
historical significance. The committee's understanding is that the topic will be discussed with the City
Council as part of the update to the Old Towne Design Standards.
Chair Fox discussed Affordable Housing Act that recently went into effect, in regards to accessory
housing.Chair Fox is concerned that new law will ease regulatory burdens,for example,only requiring
ministerial approval for remodeling existing homes and garages when they are compliant with building
and safety codes. DRC would like to have the discretionary process and not just the ministerial
building permit in the Historical District. Staff will research the matter further.
Chair Fox announced there are no minutes to review.
Senior Planner, Robert Garcia informed the committee the Mayor has requested that the City Clerk
Agendize the filling of the DRC vacancy on the January 10, 2017 City Council Agenda.
Committee Member Imboden made a motion to close the Administrative Session of the Design
Review Committee meeting.
SECOND: Tim McCormack
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED.
Administrative Session adjourned at 5:12 p.m.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes January 4, 2017
Page 2 of 7
Regular Session—5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Four Committee Members were in attendance with one vacancy.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Design Review Committee on matters not listed
on the Agenda.
No speakers.
CONSENT ITEMS:
(1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NONE
Chair Fox announced there were no minutes to approve.
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City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes January 4, 2017
Page 3 of 7
AGENDA ITEMS
New Agenda Items:
(2) MNSP No. 0857-16 Chapman University Villa Park Orchards Association Packing
House and West Residential Village
• 350 N. Cypress Street and 400 W. Sycamore Avenue
• A proposal for rehabilitation of the Villa Park Orchards Association(VPOA) Packing House,
relocation of existing historic era accessory structures, and construction of a new multi-story,
multi-family student residential building. This is the second preliminary review of this
project focusing on the design of the new residential building.
• Staff Contact: Kelly Ribuffo, kribuffo(a�cit�oforan�e org, 714-744-7223
• DRC Action: Preliminary Review
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report.
The applicants who were present for this project were Tom Greer, Kris Olsen, Ken Ryan.
Kris Olsen stated that the project team worked hard to respond to the suggestions and address the
concerns of the DRC.
Ken Ryan added that they focused on three things. Widening the gap between the packing house and
new residential building on the corner, revising the corner entry and simplifying the architecture.
Tom Greer presented diagrams to highlight the features changed. The project team addressed the issue
of the secondary elevation. Kept things minimal to show architecture. Number of units were reduced,
eliminating bedrooms, in order to open up the vista. Staircase was brought around the other side of
building to give it a more contemporary appearance. Lowered color contrast of the stucco. Changes to
windows to make them more in conformance to Old Towne style. Lowered steeL The project team
simplified the proposed project with updates.
Public Comments:
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments.
Representative of Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA), Tony Trabucco stated that OTPA is
impressed with the improved elevation and modified entrance. OTPA empathizes with the
neighborhood because it's in the historic district.
Chair Fox opened the item to the Committee for discussion:
• Pleased with simplification.
• Committee member Imboden suggested dispersing brick fa�ade material throughout building.
It will reinforce that this is an entirely new building and avoid the appearance of the new corner
entrance looking like an old building that is surrounded by a new building.
• Pleased with the opening on Cypress,the new corridor area and reduction of the canopy.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes January 4, 2017
Page 4 of 7
• Concern about project time span. Clarification of the project's three phases listed in the staff
report: demolition, construction of housing and rehabilitation of the packing house. Applicants
stated they plan to have two general contractors, one focusing on construction of the housing,
the other on the rehabilitation of the packing house. The bifurcation of the project will allow
work to be done simultaneously.
• Committee member McDermott wishes there was a discussion regarding the basic forms of
the mass and bulk of the building prior to preliminary review. The project is already
dimensioned and ready for construction. Does not leave room for changes.
• Clarification about Palm Street side near the vending machines. McDermott asked if project
team considered a secondary entrance in the location to break up the massing.
• Clarification of plan for loading area. Applicants said the"Plaza"area will be used for loading.
• Number of roofline skylights could be reduced.
• Concerned about amount of signage shown in rendering.
• Committee member McCormack suggested that materials on the side of the building at street
level should be tactual materials, such as brick or metal. Recommended placing stucco on top.
• Lots of windows on Palm Street/Railroad track. Nothing to shield sunlight. Applicant stated
that the glass of windows used will cut down on solar gain and there will be "Mecco" style
shades which students can pull down to mitigate solar gain and glare.
• West elevation looks stark without trees.
• Suggested additional glazing at the northwest corner exterior stairwell facing Cypress Street
to further illuminate and activate the space for residents.
• Recommended street bump outs and diagonal parking to calm traffic.
• Pleased with less density in the two spots that were most important. Made a huge impact.
• Sawtooth roofline should be removed from southeast corner tower element.
• Lighting should be simple and contemporary. Wants to see light fixture without seeing light
source. Recommended placing lighting on the ground.
• Materials, landscaping and lighting should be discussed next time.
• Committee member McDermott has concerns regarding massing.
• Applicants are open to making changes to the plan to come back with a formal submittal.
Preliminary review. Project will return for review at a later date.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes January 4, 2017
Page 5 of 7
(3) DRC No. 4852-16—CONVENIENCE STORE AT 76 GAS STATION
• 684 S. Glassell Street
• A proposal to demolish an existing 1,150 SF gas station with service and repair and
construction of a new 2,800 SF convenience store associated with fuel dispensing
• Staff Contact: Robert Garcia, 714-744-7231 rgarcia@cityororange.com
• DRC Action: Final Determination
Robert Garcia, Senior Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report.
The applicant who was present for this project was Henry Ling.
Public Comments:
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments:
Representative of Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA), Tony Trabucco stated that his only
concern is the noise level of refrigeration system.
Chair Fox opened the item to the Committee for discussion:
• Concerned that the tower elements added a monumental appearance to building.
• Senior planner, Robert Garcia provided zoning and other project details; Property is elevated
to neighboring properties. 4 to 5 ft separation between the wall and the garage. Grade change-
12 feet lower.
• Applicant provided details. Block wall is 8 or 9 ft. tall, stationed higher up than adjacent
condos, and retaining wall is at the top of the slope.
• Concerned about the impact on surrounding properties.
• Concerned about the impact to the existing trees near garage area during construction.
• Asked for clarification of trash enclosure. Applicant stated that it will be located at the back of
the building and will be a buff color. Meets City standards.
• Concerned about the size and brightness of the price sign.
• Suggested making landscape more organic not so contrived.
• Suggested a vine on the rear wall.
• Asked the applicant to keep edge near riverbed simple. Recommend reducing number of trees,
but provide larger growing species.
• Pleased with architecture, very elegant.
• Roof should be darker to compliment the color of the building.
• Discussion of paint colors- eliminate white, yellow and melon color. Suggested Rose Beige.
• Concerns with the entire street being a mixed zone use street. In this case,not sensitive to build
an elevated block wall behind residential property.
• Suggested moving the building 3 ft. from the back property line &back wall.
• Committee member Imboden felt that the layout could be reordered to allow for the movement
of the building away from the property line. Applicant stated that if the layout was rearrange,
it would cause a problem with the functionality of the driveways for fuel and trash trucks. One
driveway serves the store, the other is for access to the trash enclosure.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes January 4, 2017
Page 6 of 7
• Committee member Imboden recommended eliminating 3 parking spots in the front to leave
more of an opening.
• Committee would like to continue discussion for the project.
Committee member McCormack made a motion to continue DRC Item No. 4852-16, Convenience
store at 76 gas station, with the findings and additional conditions:
1. Remove trees along southern boundary and replace with sever, 24 inch boxes- Plantanous
Racemosa.
2. Suggested moving the building 3 ft. clear from the back property line & back wall.
3. Recommended vine/vertical shrubs on wall near trash enclosure and rear wall.
4. Changes to color of building and roof. Darken roof.
5. Light brightness of price sign should not exceed existing lighting.
SECOND: Anne McDermott
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED.
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City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes January 4, 2017
Page 7 of 7
ADJOURNMENT:
Committee Member McCormack made a motion to adjourn to the next Design Review Committee
meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
SECOND: Anne McDermott
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.