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2017-12-06 DRC Final Minutes CITY OF ORANGE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES - FINAL December 6, 2017 Committee Members Present: Robert Imboden- Chair Carol Fox Anne McDermott Mary Anne Skorpanich Committee Members Absent: Tim McCormack Staff in Attendance: Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner Tiffany Chhan, Planning Aide Simonne Fannin, Recording Secretary Administrative Session —5:00 Chair Imboden opened the Administrative Session at 5:00 p.m. Chair Imboden inquired if there was any Policy or Procedural information. Ms. Moshier introduced Simone Fannin, the new recording secretary for Design Review Committee and Planning Commission and Tiffany Chhan, Planning Aide who will be working at the public counter. The Design Standards for Old Towne went to the Planning Commission on November 20. The Commission accepted all of the DRC's recommended changes and City Council made additional changes and recommended adoption to the City Council. It will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, December 12. Ms. Moshier added that the Killefer Square project will bring a very substantially revised project for a preliminary review to the December 20 meeting. This is the fifth preliminary review for the project. There are no items currently scheduled for the first meeting in January; therefore that meeting likely will be cancelled. Chair Imboden shared his concerns that the Committee has continued a discussion for so long under preliminary review without noticing or community involvement. Kelly Ribuffo stated the Chapman University Villa Park Orchard Packing House is now in plan check for the residential building and modifications to the Packing House. All of the recommended conditions from the Committee have been incorporated. Ms. Ribuffo reviewed the schedule for demolishing the non-historic structures and excavation and noted that the Orange Homegrown farmers market will be relocated to the Becket Building parking lot owned by Chapman University. Committee Member Skorpanich asked if the elevations on the renderings on page 8 of the Item No. 3 - Johnson Residence are mislabeled. Ms. Ribuffo stated that they are mislabeled; the front of the house is the east elevation. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6, 2017 Page 2 of 10 Chair Imboden stated that he observed that a house on Palmyra that was previously reviewed by the DRC has a garage door that is simulated wood, a synthetic material deck that was not part of the project approval, and an addition that appears to be clad in synthetic siding. Ms. Moshier advised there is a Code Enforcement case pending on this property. Committee Member Skorpanich asked about a house on South Lemon which is painted fire engine red with a large structure in the back that is bright yellow. Committee Member Fox added property owners do not have to come to the DRC for approval of house colors. Ms. Moshier agreed that paint palettes are not typically reviewed for residential properties; however she has had a conversation with the property owner. Committee Members reviewed and made minor changes to the Design Review Committee minutes for November 1, 2017 and November 15, 2017. Committee Member Skorpanich made a motion to close the Administrative Session of the Design Review Committee meeting. SECOND: McDermott AYES: Imboden, Fox, McDermott and Skorpanich NOES: None ABSENT: McCormack MOTION CARRIED. Administrative Session adjourned at 5:27 p.m. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6,2017 Page 3 of 10 Regular Session—5:40 p.m. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Imboden, McDermott, Skorpanich, and Fox were present. Committee Member McCormack absent. 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: NOVEMBER 1,2017 AND NOVEMBER 15,2017 Committee Member Skorpanich made a motion to approve the minutes from the Design Review Committee meeting of November 1, 2017 and November 15, 2017, as emended during the discussion at the Administrative Session. SECOND: Committee Member Fox AYES: Fox, Imboden, McDermott, and Skorpanich NOES: None ABSENT: McCormack MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6, 2017 Page 4 of 10 AGENDA ITEMS: Continued Items: None New Agenda Items: (2) DRC NO. 4803-15 URTH CAFFE • A proposal to modify the approved exterior paint colors for a historic building in the Plaza Historic District. Rehabilitation of the building was previously approved by the Design Review Committee on November 4, 2015. The approval was amended by the DRC on July 20, 2016 at the applicant's request, based on historic building conditions uncovered during construction. • 100 W. Chapman Avenue • Staff Contact: Marissa Moshier, 714-744-7243, mmoshier(a�citvoforan�g • DRC Action: Final Determination The representative who was present for this project was Victor Corona, architect. Marissa Moshier, Historic Preservation Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. She provided a color board with the proposed paint samples and noted that staff has not made a recommendation in the staff report, as they would like to get the Committee's feedback due to the fact that this is a prominent building in the Plaza. Ms. Moshier asked that relevant findings, specifically 1, 2 and 3, be included in the Committee's motion on the item. Committee Member McDermott asked if any of the proposed colors have been painted on the building yet. Victor Corona responded that the proposed brown has been painted at the corner entrance to see how it matched with the wood doors. He added his client liked the natural rustic look of the columns. She also wanted to highlight the detail on the cornice. Committee Member Fox asked if the second story windows in the alley will be painted white and Mr. Corona stated yes. Chair Imboden asked if the uncolored muntins on one section of the Chapman elevation drawing are an error and Mr. Corona stated yes. Public Comments: Chair Imboden opened the item to the Public for comments. Doug Westfall, historian, stated there was a wagon wheel in the stairwell that couldn't be removed and asked if it was still there. He also asked if the applicant could provide a banner with a Ford sign on it as the building used to be a Ford dealer. He provided a historic photo of the dealer and the Ford sign. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6,2017 Page 5 of 10 Chair Imboden asked if there has been discussion of signage since the DRC reviewed signage for the restaurant. Mr. Corona stated they may revisit the signage above the entrance, but they do not intend to propose signage in the location of the historic Ford sign. Ms. Moshier stated that any changes to the signage would come back to the Committee for review. Chair Imboden brought the item back to the Committee for discussion: Chair Imboden asked if there will be any treatment done on the columns and Mr. Corona stated they will clean up the columns and place a clear coat over them to preserve the existing finish. The Committee generally supported the proposed paint palette as appropriate for the building and harmonious with the historic materials. The Committee supported the proposal to leave the columns in their existing state, as it reflects the age of the material. Chair Imboden requested a condition to avoid any enhancement of the patina on the columns. There was additional discussion of the proposed Swiss Coffee color on the upper floor windows. The Committee discussed the fact that lighter upper floor windows are seen in some buildings on the Plaza, including the Masonic Temple. However, some Committee Members noted the use of brown on the upper floor windows. There was discussion of historic photographs of the building showing darker upper floor windows. There was also discussion of the proposal to add the Swiss Coffee color to some of the details on the cornice. The Committee Members were generally not supportive of the multi-color cornice, because it is a departure from the predominant treatment in the Plaza and will be very noticeable. It is mare historically accurate to have the cornice all the same color. As the staff report did not include findings, the Committee discussed the potential findings and conditions for the project. Chair Imboden suggested Finding No. 1 state that the Committee finds the proposal to be both consistent with the paint colors used in the Plaza today, as well as appropriate for an historic building of this type. All other Members felt the wording was adequate. Committee Member Fox added the fact that all these proposed finishes are allowed by the standards. Chair Imboden stated in Finding No. 2 they can add "the proposed palette of colors is consistent and historically appropriate for a building of this type." Chair Imboden added "colors that are recommended are based on photographic evidence of archival imagery". Committee Members discussed the different color options for the windows, sills, keystones, sashes, frames, and precast pieces. Committee Member Skorpanich recapped their discussion: • Swiss Coffee is being eliminated from the cornice, so that the cornice will only be one color • Swiss Coffee in the upper floor windows is being replaced by Burns Cave to reflect the historic photographs • The color palette on the first level can be approved as presented Committee Member Fox read the following Findings for the project: City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6,2017 Page 6 of 10 Finding No. 1 - In the Old Towne Historic District the proposed work conforms to the prescriptive standards and design criteria referenced and or recommended by the DRC or other reviewing body for the project. The proposal is consistent with paint colors used today and historically in the Plaza and all proposed finishes are allowed by the standards. Finding No. 2 - In any National Register Historic District, the proposed work complies with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines. The retention of existing column conditions further emphasizes the history of the building and preserves the original materials. Finding No. 3 - The project design upholds community aesthetics through the use of an internally consistent, integ-rated design theme and is consistent with all adopted specific plans, applicable design standards and the required findings. The proposed color placement, as amended by the Committee, is based on archival photographic images. Committee Member Fox made a motion to approve DRC No. 4803-15, Urth Caffe, based on Findings 1, 2 and 3 as read in the meeting and including the conditions listed in the Staff Report with the following additional conditions: • Faux aging shall not be applied to the iron columns. • The color Swiss Coffee shall be removed from the palette. • The cornice shall be finished in Boutique Beige as originally proposed. • The second floor windows' wood components shall be painted Burns Cave and the second floor precast sills shall be painted Alabaster. SECOND: Committee Member McDermott AYES: Fox, Imboden, McDermott, and Skorpanich NOES: None ABSENT: McCormack MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6, 2017 Page 7 of 10 (3) DRC NO. 4923-17 JOHNSON RESIDENCE • A proposal to construct a new 660 SF addition to an existing single family residence. The property is a non-contributing resource to the Old Towne Historic District. • 466 N. Pine Street • Staff Contact: Kelly Ribuffo, 714-744-7223, kribuffo(a�cityoforange.org • DRC Action: Final Determination Kelly Ribuffo, Associate Planner, presented a project overview consistent with the Staff Report. She pointed out that the applicant is proposing vinyl windows for the proposed addition which is generally not a material used in the historic district. She indicated that the design standards for Old Towne do allow for approval of alternative materials by the Design Review Committee where appropriate. The existing non-permitted vinyl windows have been on the home from the previous owner since 2005. The material substitution for the addition could be considered to be appropriate as it would allow for a consistency of window type and material on the home and the windows on the addition would not be visible from the street, also, the property is noncontributing to the historic district. Ms. Ribuffo expressed staff s opinion is that it could be consistent with the finding and not have an adverse impact on the Historical District as a whole. The representatives who were present for this project were Adam Johnson, Jessica Johnson, and SandyJohnson Public Comments: Chair Imboden opened the item to the Public for comments. Sandy Johnson stated the windows are of high quality and don't appear to be vinyl unless you touch them. Jessica Johnson stated their home is literally one house from not being in the historical zone. Chair Imboden opened the item to the Committee for discussion: Chair Imboden asked staff at what point did they require that non-contributors' modifications be done in the style consistent with the period of the original construction. Ms. Moshier the standards were last updated in 1999; therefore this update predated the windows in the photo. Committee Member Fox stated she drove past the home and asked Ms. Ribuffo why the house looks different than the photo. Adam Johnson described the work that had been initiated on the house, and indicated that they anticipated a shorter permitting process; therefore they started some of the work. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6,2017 Page 8 of 10 All the Committee Members were in support of the addition as proposed. Chair Imboden stated he understood staff s comments about the consistent appearance of the windows, and that the addition is not visible from the street, and agreed that it would not have an adverse impact on the Historic District. His expressed concern about not setting a precedent of approving non-permitted modifications which later drive the project. Committee Member Fox stated some of the homes on that street have the original wood windows with the single horizontal muntin going across the middle and about half have been replaced with vinyl windows, which were probably done without permits. She objected to the use of vinyl windows. Chair Imboden stated the solution would be to allow the windows to match; however the design standards have led the Committee to deny previous vinyl window proposals that have come before them. Committee Member Skorpanich offered the following perspective: if new vinyl windows were to be approved, when the time came to replace the existing vinyl windows, replacement with vinyl would be justified; this creates the precedent the Committee seeks to avoid. However, if wood windows were required for the addition, it would dictate that the existing vinyl windows be replaced with wood in the future. This scenario avoids setting a precedent for vinyl. Sandy Johnson and the Committee members discussed the period of the house in relation to the window material, with Chair Imboden and Committee Member Fox reiterated that the Old Towne Design Standards call for modifications to noncontributing buildings to be consistent with the original design or the period in which it was originally built. Committee Member Skorpanich explained that if they installed new wood windows, when it comes time to replace the existing vinyl windows, they should be replaced with wood at that time. Jessica Johnson noted that many neighbors have vinyl windows. Committee Member Fox indicated that had those changes come before the DRC, vinyl windows would not have been approved. Chair Imboden reiterated the standards prohibit vinyl windows and the DRC has to make the appropriate findings in order to allow them. He also added that the staff report indicated that the windows are not visible from the street therefore the DRC could easily make a finding that the inconsistency would not have an impact on the Historic District. He asked for comment from the staff. Ms. Moshier stated that staff took the position that the "historic resource" is the Historic District. With non-contributors, the question is whether the material change has an impact on the Historic District as a whole. Generally their opinion that high-quality alternate material replacement on a non-contributor does not have an impact to the Historic District. That is the approach they took in recommending approval of the project. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6, 2017 Page 9 of 10 Chair Imboden noted that following the rules is essential to him and questioned if the DRC approves this project, how could other requests be denied in the future. He did not have enough ordinance language to support the findings. Adam Johnson asked if they can just strike the word vinyl. Committee Member Fox proposed changing Finding No. 1 by leaving the first three sentences intact, then striking the remainder of the paragraph beginning with "Vinyl has been proposed..." Chair Imboden explained to the applicant that there are required findings that need to be made and based on the requirements in the Municipal Code, this Committee does not feel they can make those findings. If the Committee approves the project with removing part of the finding that discusses the vinyl windows and adds a condition that the new windows must be wood, they wouldn't have to change the existing vinyl windows and could approve the project. Adam Johnson was agreeable to that suggestion. Committee Member Skorpanich made a motion to approve DRC No. 4923-17, Johnson Residence based on the findings in the staff report with the exception of the deletion in Finding No. 1 beginning with the sentence "Vinyl has been proposed.." and conditions listed in the Staff Report with the following additional condition: 1. All new installed windows and doors shall be wood. SECOND: Fox AYES: Fox, Imboden, McDermott, and Skorpanich NOES: None ABSENT: McCormack MOTION CARRIED. City of Orange—Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes for December 6,2017 Page 10 of 10 ADJOURNMENT: Committee Member Skorpanich made a motion to adjourn to the next Design Review Committee meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. SECOND: McDermott AYES: Fox, Imboden, McDermott, and Skorpanich NOES: None ABSENT: McCormack MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.