1999-01-20 Final DRC MinutesCity of Orange
Design Review Board
MINUTES
for Wednesday, January 20, 1999
Board Members Present: Rick Cavecche
Steve Prothero
Susan Secoy
Board Member Absent: Tim McCormack
Staff in Attendance: Chuck Lau, Associate Planner
Administrative Session - 4: 30 P.M.
The board met for an administrative session beginning at 4:30 p.m.. The meeting adjourned at
approximately 8:30 p. m.
Regular Session - S: 30 P.M
The review and approval of the January 6, 1999 minutes was deferred to the February 3, 1999 meeting,
as the minutes were unavailable.
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 2
(1) DRB No. 3275
Ewing Properties Final landscape plan for a new retail
777 S. Main Street commercial development
Closson &Closson C-2 (General Business District), and
C-3 (General Commercial District)
The project was presented by Ryan Dierking with Closson &Closson Landscape Architects.
This is a final review of the landscaping plans prior to issuance of building permits.
The board noted that the required street trees were not indicated on the plans, and that vine
trellises were not provided for the 2 commercial trash enclosures as required per the minutes of
previous DRB meetings.
MOTION by Rick Cavecche to approve the project subject to the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of building permits, final landscape and irrigation plans shall be reviewed
by Department of Community Services for approval. (Plan to indicate City required street
trees; Ficus Benjamina on Main St. and Crape Myrtle red fern on Town & Country Rd.)
2. Provide trellis cover at trash enclosures and plant with Boston Ivy vine.
3. Extend turf blocks the full length of north trash enclosure.
4. Staff to verify with Traffic Engineering Division regarding the vehicular stacking distance
required for the location of the 5rst parking stall adjacent to the north drive approach along
Main Street.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 3
DRB No. 3376
Chapman Storage
NEC Chapman Ave. &Wayfield Street
Valli Architectural Group
• New ±123,000 sq.ft. self-storage facility
• C-2 (General Business District)
Recommendation to Planning Commission
The project was presented by Bill Walker with Valli Architectural Group, and Jim Beam, project
consultant. Plans have been revised per recommendation of the DRB from the previous meeting. The
revised plan shows the new CalTrans right-of--way with a 16 ft. high block wall that would screen most
of the east building elevation. The previous tuck-under parking and trash enclosures have been
eliminated along the south elevation. The glazing along the top of the building now carries across the
entire length of the building. The project has been scheduled for Planning Commission public hearing on
February 17, 1999.
The board expressed concerns with the difficulty of reviewing the revised plans due to the time lapsed
since the last meeting's review of this project (November 4, 1998). It is very difficult to remember all
the items that were discussed from a meeting that occurred so long ago, as the plans and meeting minutes
were not included in the packets. Other issues of concern includes the following:
View of multiple overhead doors from Wayfield Street. But can be mitigated with proper
landscaping to provide screening.
Lack of landscaping along the south elevation to help soften the building as viewed from Chapman
Avenue.
The site appears over-built for the Chapman corridor area. North elevation is at zero setback from
the property line. Needs better articulation to help break-up the building and provide some
architectural relief. The building appears monolithic as viewed from the adjacent roller skating rink
parking lot.
Steve Prothero further stated that he is still uncomfortable with the project unless some mitigation is
provided along the north building elevation, possibly landscape setback.
MOTION by Rick Cavecche to recommend approval of the project to the Planning Commission with the
following conditions:
1. Submit revised building elevations to the DRB for approval. Further study is needed, with emphasis
on providing better articulation and architectural relief along the north elevation. Suggestion to
further set back and break-up the northwest corner of the building for additional landscaping.
2. Add landscaping along the south elevation. Landscaping to include vertical tree elements to help
screen the building mass as viewed from Chapman Avenue.
3. Address the issue of multiple overhead doors as viewed from the front (west) elevation. This can be
mitigated with proper landscaping to provide screening, and possibly lessen the focus of the doors by
painting it the same color as the building.
4. Submit final building elevations and landscape plans to DRB for approval.
5. Submit glazing sample to DRB for approval.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Susan Secoy
NOES: Steve Prothero
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 4
(3) DRB No. 3383
Dan Arguello Residential addition in Old Towne
604 E. Almond Avenue R2-6 (Duplex Residential District)
Brian Davis Recommendation to Planning Commission
(Applicant not present)
MOTION by Rick Cavecche to continue the project.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 5
4) DRB No. 3393
Vons Facade renovation of an existing market
4509 E. Chapman Avenue C-1 (Limited Business District)
Nadel Architects
The project was presented by David Larson with Nadel Architects. Amore detailed site plan
shows the location of the existing transformer in relationship to the new east tower element.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to approve the project, subject to the following conditions:
1. Applicant to verify with the Edison Company regarding the possibility of adding landscaping
and/or view obscuring doors at the east tower to help screen the existing transformer.
2. Existing landscaping along Chapman Avenue to be maintained or enhanced.
3. Existing Sycamore tree at the southwest corner planter to be saved if possible, while still
maintaining compliance with Federal and State handicap access code requirements.
4. Submit signage plans to DRB for approval.
SECOND: Rick Cavecche
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 6
(5) DRB No. 3397
Elegance In Time New 6,000 sq.ft. furniture store
1610 N. Tustin Street C-TR (Limited Business District ,Tustin
Crane Architectural Group Street Redevelopment Project Area)
The project was presented by Mark Blumer with Crane Architectural Group. The proposal is to
construct a new 6,000 sq.ft., 2-story building for a furniture business. The building utilizes
modern material to achieve traditional style architecture.
The DRB commented on the following:
• This is a new application of block material that have not been widely used.
• Trash enclosure should be re-oriented to have the gate opening facing west.
• The main storefront entrance to the building is located on the north elevation facing the
parking lot. The entrance needs to be more formal and should have better articulation.
Perhaps adding enhanced paving would help.
• The project proposes the use of smooth face block for the quoins at the corners and the use
of coarse split-face blocks for the building walls. This is typically done in the reverse with
the corners being more dominant and the walls being subordinate to it. Further study is
needed.
• The use of precision blocks along the west elevation is inappropriate. Material should match
the rest of the building.
• Need to address the issue of lighting.
• Need to address signage opportunities.
• Although some of proposed landscape material are not period to the design, the overall
design concept is acceptable for this project.
MOTION by Rick Cavecche to approve the project subject to the following conditions:
1. Modify handicap access ramp at main storefront entrance. In lieu of asphalt paving, this area
shall be enhanced with the use of inter-locking blocks or textured concrete paving. (Note:
must comply with all Federal and State handicap access code requirements)
2. Trash enclosure shall be re-orient to have gates opening facing west.
3. Replace precision blocks on the west elevation with the same matching split-face block
pattern used on the other three elevations.
4. The use ofnon-tooled joints on the building elevation is approved.
5. Submit lighting and signage plans to DRB for approval. Signage to be integrated and
compatible with the building architecture.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 7
(6) DRB No. 3398
Fidelity Federal Bank
745 S. Main Street
Carey Sign Graphics
• New tenant wall sign in shopping center
• C-2 (General Business District)
(Approved on the Consent Calendar)
MOTION by Steve Prothero to approve the project as submitted.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 8
(7) DRB No. 3399
Dennis Montgomery Accessory second housing unit addition
1143 E. Taft Avenue . R-1-8 (Single Family Residential District -
VAI Architects 8,000 sq.ft. min. lot size)
• Recommendation to Planning Commission
The project was presented by Gus Orozco with VAI Architects. The proposal is to construct a
640 sq.ft. accessory second housing on the property. The exterior finish material and color will
match the existing residence. The project is scheduled for Planning Commission hearing on
March 1, 1999.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to recommend approval of the project to the Planning Commission
with the following conditions:
1. Exterior finish material and colors to match the existing residence.
2. Architectural elements, including roof overhang, to match the existing residence.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 9
81 DRB No. 3400
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
777 S. Main Street
SIMCO, Inc.
• New tenant wall sign in shopping center
• C-2 (General Business District)
(Approved on the Consent Calendar)
MOTION by Susan Secoy to approve the project, subject to the following condition:
1. Sign to match existing channel letters used on front building elevations.
SECOND: Rick Cavecche
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 10
(9) DRB No. 3401
Rite Aid Drug Store • New 12,000 sq.ft. pharmacy store with
4040 E. Chapman Avenue drive-thru lanes
Tarlos & Associates C-1 (Limited Business District)
• Recommendation to Planning Commission
The project was presented by John Tarlos -Project Architect. The proposal is to develop a new
12,000 sq.ft. pharmacy store with drive-thru lanes for prescription pick-up. The project has been
scheduled for Planning Commission public hearing on February 17, 1999.
The board stated that the proposed project is an improvement over the existing uses on the site.
However, several concerns still needs to be addressed as follows:
• Substantial grade difference between project site and adjoining properties to the south and to
the west. This can create potential light spillage and noise impacts. There are opportunities
to mitigate these potential problems with adding significant landscaping along the south and
west edges of the property to reduce these impacts.
• The proposed 5 ft. wide planter fingers are insufficient for proper landscaping.
• Awning is too massive and out of scale with the building facade. Awning appears to
overpower the tower element.
• Signage appears too large; should be more proportional to the background. (Accessory signs
are strongly discouraged)
• If the awning is back lighted, the entire awning reads like a sign. Does this comply with
current sign ordinance?
MOTION by Steve Prothero to recommend approval of the project to the Planning Commission
with the following conditions:
1. Prior to issuance of building permits, submit final building elevations and landscaping plans
to DRB for approval.
2. Roof mounted mechanical equipment to be properly screen from view, or be no higher than
the top of parapet wall height.
3. Color palette approved as submitted.
4. All electrical equipment and sprinkler risers shall be located within the building.
5. Indicate location of lighting standards on plan. (Lighting to be shielded and/or directed away
from adjoining properties, particularly the residences)
6. Provide street trees per Department of Community Services requirements.
7. Add vine along south property line wall. (Boston Ivy - 1 gal. @ 8 ft. o.c.)
8. Recommend increasing the width of planting fingers in parking lot area. (5 ft. width is
insufficient for proper landscaping)
9. Reduce the size of the awning to be more proportional to the building facade.
10. Submit signage plans to DRB for approval. (Accessory signs are strongly discouraged)
11. The DRB requests that the Planning Commission provide direction pertaining to the
calculation of allowable signage area for back lighted awnings.
SECOND: Rick Cavecche
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 11
(10) DRB No. 3402
Early Mustang • New replacement freestanding sign for an
639 N. Main Street existing vintage automotive business
Winston • M-2 (Industrial District)
The project was presented by Shane Darlington, owner of business. The proposal is to construct
a new freestanding sign to replace an existing monument sign. The new sign is non-illuminated.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to approve the project, subject to the following conditions:
1. Extend the posts 1 to 2 inches above the sign frame.
2. Add round ornaments on top of posts.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 20, 1999
Page 12
(11) DRB No. 3403
Corning Development Corp. Revisions to building architecture, including
NWC Tustin St. & Collins Ave. new sign parapet
James McGlothlin Architect C-1 (Limited Business District)
The project was presented James McGlothlin, Project Architect. The proposed remodeling
consists of adding a colonnade in front of the existing building facade that supports a continuous
horizontal fascia band that would be used primarily for tenant signage. Also, the parking lot
would be re-paved and the layout would be modified to improve efficiency.
The DRB discussed the following issues with the applicant:
• New parking layout would result in the removal of existing trees in the parking lot. Provide
tree wells and planting fingers in parking aisle and add trees.
• New fascia band appears rather plain and minimal. The board is not oppose to the idea, but
it may not be the best solution. Need to explore alternatives.
• Possibility of adding some type of height element, and the use of different colors.
• Possibility of a more creative signage program. (see "The Block").
MOTION by Rick Cavecche to continue the project for further study, based on the above
discussions with the project architect.
SECOND: Susan Secoy
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve Prothero, Susan Secoy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Tim McCormack
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED