2017-02-15 DRC Final Minutes CITY OF ORANGE
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES -FINAL
February 15, 2017
Committee Members Present: Carol Fox - Chair
Robert Imboden
Tim McCormack
Anne McDermott
Staff in Attendance: Robert Garcia, Senior Planner
Chad Ortlieb, Senior Planner
Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner
Vidal Marquez, Assistant Planner
Monique Schwartz, Assistant Planner
Deb Arnold, Recording Secretary
Administrative Session—5:00
Chair Fox opened the Administrative Session at 5:08 p.m.
Mr. Garcia indicated that there were two changes to the Agenda tonight:
1. Item (2) DRC No. 4823-15 should read 4822-15
2. Item (5) DRC No. 4851-16 should read 4871-16
Chair Fox inquired if there was any Policy or Procedural information. Mr. Garcia indicated there
was no Policy or Procedural information to discuss:
Committee Members reviewed the Design Review Committee minutes for February 1, 2017
Corrections were made and will be updated.
Committee Member Robert Imboden made a motion to close the Administrative Session of the
Design Review Committee meeting.
SECOND: Anne McDermott
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Administrative Session adjourned at 5:17 p.m.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15,2017
Page 2 of 10
Regular Session 5:30p.m.
ROLL CALL:
All Committee Members were present, with one vacancy.
COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF
MARCH 1,2017:
Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
Committee Member Anne McDermott nominated Robert Imboden to be the Chairperson for 2017-
2018 Design Review Committee.
SECOND: Tim McCormack
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
Committee Member Robert Imboden nominated Tim McCormack to be Vice-Chairperson for 2017-
2018 Design Review Committee.
SECOND: Anne McDermott
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Design Review Committee on matters not
listed on the Agenda.
CONSENT ITEMS:
(1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 1, 2017
Committee Member Anne McDermott made a motion to approve the minutes from the Design
Review Committee meeting of February 1, 2017, as emended during the discussion at the
Administrative Session.
SECOND: Tim McCormack
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15,2017
Page 3 of 10
This item (2) was removed from Consent Calendar for further discussion.
AGENDA ITEMS:
New Agenda Items:
(2) DRC No. 4822-15 Encore Prospect Senior Apartments Landscaping
• 184 N. Prospect Street
• On September 7, 2016, the Planning Commission approved the project for the construction
of 28 senior apartments and associated improvements. Landscaping and irrigation plans
were conditioned to return to the Design Review Committee. This review is for the project
landscaping and irrigation.
• Staff Contact: Chad Ortlieb, (714) 744-7237, cortlieb@cityoforange.org
• DRC Action: Final Determination
Chad Ortlieb, Senior Planner,presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report.
The Applicant was present for DRC No. 4822-15
Jeff Moore, RC Hobbs
Public Comments
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments.
There were no speakers:
Applicant Mr. Jeff Moore, RC Hobbs, reviewed the project landscaping with the Committee as it had
last been seen on August 16, 2016. Grading had started and Mr. Moore was here to be able to obtain
approval to obtain permits and start construction on the project.
Discussion with the committee members was to consider the trees that would be allowed on the
property.
Committee Member Tim McCormack moved to approve DRC No. 4822-15 Encore Prospect
Senior Apartments Landscaping with the following additional conditions:
1. T-3 Magnolia grandiflora 24 inch box to be replaced with T-1's in the west parking lot, total
of 10 trees. An additional tree which would be designated as T-5 to be Magnolia grandiflora
in 36 inch box tree to be the two trees that flank the entry throat into the parking lot.
SECOND: Anne McCormack
AYES: Carol Fox,Robert Imboden,Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 4 of 10
3) DRC No. 4881-16—MT Plaza Sign Program
• 1738-1750 W. Chapman Avenue
• A proposal to establish a sign program for an existing multi-tenant commercial building.
• Staff Contact: Vidal F. Marquez, 714-744-7214, vmarquez@cityoforange.org
• DRC Action: Final Determination
Vidal Marquez, Assistant Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report.
The applicant was present for this DRC No. 4881-16.
David Pham, Owner
Public Comments:
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments.
There were no public speakers
Chair Fox opened the item to the Committee for discussion:
Staff let Chair Fox know there is no color board. Committee found that the Program presented
lacked consistency as there were too many variables of Font and Size. The color scheme is not
very easy to read. Would like to see a cohesive usage of signage throughout, fewer colors, font types
limited. This program must work over time for future tenants as well. We would need to see what
the acrylic sign samples look like. Mr. Pham stated he likes to meet the City's requirements.
Committee Member Robert Imboden moved to continue DRC No. 4881-16 — MT Plaza Sign
Program allowing the applicant time to revise the application based on the comments made this
evening.
SECOND: Anne McDermott
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 5 of 10
4) DRC No. 4886-16 Ricca Donna Salon Signage
• 206 W. Almond Avenue
• A proposal for a new monument sign and directional signage for a contributing historic
residence being used as a salon in the Old Towne Historic District.
• Staff Contact: Marissa Moshier, 714-744-7243, mmoshier@cityoforange.org
• DRC Action: Final Determination
Marisa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the
Staff Report.
The Applicant was present for DRC No. 4886-16
Denise Decker, Insignia
Wes Stewart, Insignia
Public Comments:
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments.
No one was present to speak on this item
Chair Fox opened the item to the Committee far discussion:
The committee reviewed the plans with the designers and had a few questions regarding the location
of the monument sign, color of chain used for sign attachments and the posts to be used for the
signage. Designers indicated that aluminum would be used for the posts and the chain could be
painted to match the signs. The committee discussed the long—term maintenance of the posts below
grade.
Committee Member Tim McCormack moved to approve DRC No. 4886-16 Ricca Donna Salon
Signage with following conditions, in addition to findings and conditions in the staff report.
1.Where the aluminum posts hit the footing at grade to border the post with bender
board and fill with gravel to eliminate moisture build up along the aluminum and to
slope the top of the footing to drain.
2.The chain attachments on the signs shall be the dark brown on the color board.
SECOND: Anne McDermott
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 6 of 10
(5) DRC No. 4871-16 Simply Self Storage
• 1600 N. Glassell Street
• A proposal to demolish three existing buildings and construct a 156,654 square foot, three-
story industrial building to be utilized as a self-storage facility with related on-site
improvements.
• Staff Contact: Monique Schwartz, (714) 744-7224, mschwartz@cityoforange.org
• DRC Action: Recommend approval to Planning Commission
Monique Schwartz, Assistant Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report.
The Applicant was present for DRC No. 4871-16
Shab Valali
Public Comments
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments.
There were no public speakers
Ms. Shab Valali, spoke
Chair Fox opened the item to the Committee for discussion
Committee discussion included comments regarding the following:
Storage Building:
• The exterior design of the southeast corner of the building should be simplified so it looks
different from the northeast corner/main entrance to the building
• Clarification of"building pop-outs" as opposed to material cladding applied to the exterior of
the building
• Projection of canopy and details of inetal canopy design
• Alternating split face and precision block design at base of building gets lost in the joinery.
Stacked bond rather than running bond with raked horizontal and flush vertical joints is
recommended.
• Large mass and scale of proposed building along Glassell street frontage. Project is located
across the street from single story residential properties
• Three-story windows located on east elevation emphasize building height and scale
Landscaping:
• Clarification requested on what types of plants are permitted within the SCE easement area
• Site landscaping appears dense and regimented with no open relief using turf, ground cover,
gravel or mulch.
• Plant palette does not offer a hierarchy
• Concerned with pattern and expansiveness
• Develop more of a scheme,reduce variety and number of plants
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 7 of 10
• Landscaping should help to buffer the mass of the building, making a broader statement that
matches the scale of the building
• Committee felt more trees could be planted in clusters along Glassell
• Requested SCE Guidelines regarding tree height
• More trees required along north property line
• Emulate landscaping at SCE substation located at the southeast corner of North Tustin Street
and Taft Avenue
• Landscaping has no clear form of accent or mass
• A landscape theme and statement is needed
• Plant palette and position should accentuate the length of the parcel and should not be placed
in blocks
Ms. Valali indicated that she will work with the landscape architect to revise the landscape plans and
with the project architect to revise the exterior elevations of the building.
Committee Member Anne McDermott moves to continue DRC No. 4871-16 Simply Self Storage
based on the comments that were given during review.
SECOND: Robert Imboden
AYES: Carol Fox, Robert Imboden, Tim McCormack, and Anne McDermott
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Committee broke for 5 minutes
Chair Fox reconvened the meeting at 7:25
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 8 of 10
(6) 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 the third preliminary review of this project
focusing on the design of the new site plan and landscaping.
• Staff Contact: Kelly Ribuffo, kribuffo(c�rtvoforange.org, 714-744-7223
DRC Action: Preliminary Review
Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report.
The Applicants were present for
Mr. Bennitt Mr. Warren Williams
Mr. Kris Olsen Mr. Bob Morrin
Mr. Tom Greer Ms. Johanna Crooker
Mr. Peyton Hall, Historic Resources Group
Mr. Olsen and Mr. Greer provided a summary of the modifications that have been made to the plans
since the previous preliminary review with the Committee.
Public Comments
Chair Fox opened the item to the Public for comments.
There were no public speakers
Chair Fox opened the item to the Committee for discussion
Committee Member Imboden had the following comments:
• He liked the new active patio area inserted into the south elevation of the building to replace
the vending machines.
• Restated his concerns that the southeast corner of the building, with its brick fa�ade, looked
like an older building that the rest of the residence building was built around. This could
create a false sense of development history and be in conflict with the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards.
• He questioned the appropriateness of the new brick planter around the street facing elevations
of the residential building,which looks very residential in comparison to the surrounding
industrial context.
• He also questioned the reorientation of the exiting from the exterior staircase at the northeast
corner of the building. It had previously exited into the courtyard between the residential
building and the packing house, but now empties directly onto the sidewalk along Cypress.
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 9 of 10
Johanna Crooker, KTGY,responded to the comment regarding the northeast corner exiting to say
that the intent of the redesign had been to take traffic away from the bike racks and the courtyard,
which already served several uses and had the potential to be congested with pedestrian traffic.
Peyton Hall, Historic Resources Group,responded to comment regarding the "new old"building
comment, stating that it was his professional opinion that the composition of multiple parts to the
building, with different materials, was appropriate to the context of the building. Committee Member
Imboden stated that he still felt the residential building appeared"dishonest" and did not reflect its
true development history.
The Committee discussed the proposed dock railing for the packing house. They stated they would
like to see a historically sensitive choice made for material and design, given there will be so much
of the railing used in the adaptive reuse of the building.
The Committee commented that they expect to see a much more detailed set of plans when the
project returns to the Committee for formal review and recommendation, especially including
finishes and materials.
Committee Member McDermott stated that she would like to see an equal treatment of the
pedestrian pathways to Palm and Sycamore Avenues, given that traffic to and from the site is likely
to come from both directions. She also stated that she liked the idea of campus entry markers into the
site at the end of Sycamore Avenue.
Committee Member McCormack had the following comments:
• Restated his comment regarding the desire for"tactile" materials on the residential building
at the ground level to create a more interesting pedestrian experience. Committee Member
Fox stated she felt the order of the use of materials from the top to the bottom of the building
(metal to stucco) was consistent with architectural convention.
• Stated that the courtyard between the residential building and the packing house seems
segmented because of the number of uses it was being designed for. He recommended the
design be revisited to create better integration between all proposed uses.
• He liked the treatment of the rail spur across the site.
• He restated his concern about the existing 90 degree on street parking spaces in front of the
packing house, and how the presence of these spaces interrupts the sidewalk along Cypress
Street.
• He stated his desire to see options for traffic calming measures along Cypress Street, given
that there will be a significant increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Bill Crouch,
Community Development Director, stated that he would coordinate a meeting with Public
Works to discuss street improvement options in relation to the project.
• He stated that he thinks the design of the parking lot area north of the packing house seems
less interesting and not as well thought out in comparison to the rest of the project, and could
use improvement.
• Asked how shade in the inner courtyard of the residential building will be addressed in winter
months.
Committee Member Fox had the following comments:
City of Orange—Design Review Committee
Final Meeting Minutes for February 15, 2017
Page 10 of 10
• Agreed with other Committee members regarding concerns related to pedestrian circulation
to and from the site. Also acknowledged Committee Member Imboden's comment regarding
the "false development" issue for the new residential building, but felt the design was
balanced and did not have a recommendation on how to change it.
• Stated that she liked the changes made to the roofline of the residential building, especially
the reduction of the number of lifts in the sawtooth roofline.
• Stated that she believed the addition of the brick planter around the residential building
unifies the design of that end of the site, creating a transition between the surrounding
industrial area and the new residential area.
ADJOURNMENT:
Committee Member Tim McCormack made a motion to adjourn to the next Design Review
Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 1, 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 9:08p.m.