1998-01-07 Final DRC MinutesCity of Orange
Design Review Board
MINUTES
for Wednesday, January 7, 1998
Board Members Present:
(*Left at 6:30 p.m.)
Board Members Absent
Staff in Attendance
Rick Cavecche*
Tim McCormack
Steven McHarris
Steve Prothero (Chair)
Robert Reilly
Rick Cavecche
Chuck Lau, Associate Planner
Howard Morris, Landscape Coordinator
Administrative Session - ~: 30 P.M.
The board met for an administrative session beginning at 4:30 P.M. The meeting adjourned at
approximately 7:30 P.M.
Regular Session - S: 30 P.M.
Steve Prothero opened the meeting. Review and approval of the December 17, 1997 minutes
were deferred to the January 21, 1998 meeting.
SECOND: Robert Reilly
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve McHarris, Tim McCormick, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 2
A motion was made by Tim McCormack to approve Item 7 of the November 19, 1997 minutes
with the following corrections:
DRB 3265 (Carmax) page 11, para raph 2, sentence 2 amended as follows:
The board suggested the use of a low "ha-ha" wall/landscape berm treatment €~e~for security
purposes, rather that a picket fence, for improved visibility and aesthetics.
Page 11, condition 1, sentence 2 amended as follows:
The landscaping along the south side of the building shall match that as shown on the submitted
~g architectural elevation plans.
~~ 11, condition 2, sentence 3 amended as follows:
It is preferable that the other walls are also split-face of the same color.
Pale 11, condition 4 amended as follows:
4. Provide vertical screen trees along property line adjacent to freeway off-ramp.
Pale 11, condition 5 amended as follows:
5. Provide trees at service lot adjacent to the neighboring tenants towards the east for
screening.
~e 11, condition 6 amended as follows:
6. Add ~~~+~trees and shrubs at the end planter islands at the west end of the
parking lot area.
SECOND: Rick Cavecche
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Steve McHarris, Tim McCormack, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 3
(1) DRB No. 3231
Chapman University
SEC Lemon Street & Sycamore Avenue
Robert Murrin, Albert C. Martin & Assoc.
• 5-level parking structure designed with
approximately 700 parking spaces
• P-I (SP) District; Public Institution,
Chapman University Specific Plan
The project was presented by Bob Murrin and Ed Holakiewicz from A. C. Martin Partners. The revised
parking structure plans incorporated the changes that were suggested by the DRB from the previous
meeting. Various details that were carried over from the Law school building.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to approve the revised parking structure plans subject to the following
conditions:
1. Cornice profile shall match the law school building.
2. Sandblast precision block is approved in lieu of split-face block.
3. Prior to issuance of building permits, submit final landscape plans to DRB for approval. (Landscape
plans to show Canary Island Pines along east side of the building to be planted 15 ft. to 20 ft. apart)
4. Submit signage plans to DRB.
SECOND: Robert Reilly
AYES: Rick Cavecche, Tim McCormack, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: Steve McHarris
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 4
(2) DRB No. 3275
Ewing Properties New mixed-use retail and residential
777 S. Main Street project
Architects Orange • C-3 (Commercial) District
• Recommendation to Planning Commission
The project was presented by Jack Selman, Architect Orange. The proposal is to redevelop the
north side of the existing Town & Country Shopping Center site with a new mixed-use project
consisting of luxury apartment units and retail commercial uses.
The DRB expressed concerns with the transition/interface area which separates the commercial
uses from the residential units. The perpendicular parking stalls in front of the apartment would
cause the headlights of cars to shine through the metal picket fence onto the residential units.
This creates a "motel" like environment that would not be desirable for the residential units.
Perhaps this area maybe revised with parallel parking spaces or eliminate the parking altogether.
This "transition" area needs further study. The DRB asked if a tree survey is being done to
determine if any of the existing specimen trees can be saved. The use of Ficus retusa along the
south property line is strongly discouraged, as this is a rather confined planting area that would
not be appropriate for this type of tree because of evasive roots. Other discussion items included
location of trash enclosure, transformers, usable common open space, and further breaking-up
the horizontal mass of the apartment building.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to continue review of this item to the January 21, 1998 meeting with
the following suggestions:
L Further define the method of screening for the balconies.
2. The locations of trash enclosures for both the commercial and residential components needs
to be further studied and developed.
3. Landscape concept plan needs further study and refinement.
4. Replace the Ficus Retusa with another type of trees with less root problems.
5. Consider alternative screen trees (in lieu of Palms) along the east driveway for consistent
screening and cost purposes.
6. Provide a better solution for the mitigation of potential light and noise impacts at the
interface/transition area between the commercial uses and residential units. (Suggest study
other alternatives such as rearranging and/or elimination of parking spaces to create a
pedestrian walkway area).
7. Recommend addition of trees to help soften the interior of the courtyard areas.
8. Recommend eliminating some units to further break-up the west building elevation.
9. Treatment of parking area at the Main Street entry and drive needs further enhancement.
10. Recommend that a tree survey be done to determine if existing trees can be saved and/or
relocated.
11. Color palette is approved in concept.
12. Provide building elevations to all sides of the buildings.
13. Provide minimum 10 ft. landscape setback along Town & Country Road. (Only 5 ft. of
landscaped area is shown on plans)
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 5
SECOND: Tim McCormack
AYES: Steve McCormack, Steve McHarris, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: None
ABSENT: Rick Cavecche
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 6
(3) DRB No. 3277
South Coast Insurance
2233 N. Tustin Street
Francisco Ramirez
• New wall sign for existing commercial
building
• C-TR (Commercial -Tustin Street
Redevelopment District)
Applicant not present.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to continue this item.
SECOND: Steve McHarris
AYES: Tim McCormack, Steve McHarris, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: None
ABSENT: Rick Cavecche
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 7
(4) DRB No. 3282
Public Storage
601 N. Main Street
National Sign Network
• New illuminated fascia band/wall sign for
an existing public storage facility
• M-2 (Industrial District)
The project was presented by Joyce Sehi, Quality Project Coordinate. The proposal is to install 2
illuminated fascia band signs partially across the front and side building elevations of an existing
self storage building. The building currently has a flat roof with no parapet walls.
The DRB explained their policy regarding opaque sign background with only the text and logo
being illuminated. If the fascia band is to be used, it should run the entire length of the building,
otherwise, a more traditional wall sign should be install on an appropriate flat vertical wall area
instead.
MOTION by Robert Reilly to continue review of this item to the January 21, 1998 meeting.
SECOND: Steve McHarris
AYES: Tim McCormack, Steve McHarris, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: None
ABSENT: Rick Cavecche
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange -Design Review Board
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 1998
Page 8
(5) DRB No. 3283
Wells Fargo Bank
101 E. Chapman Avenue
Plasti-line West
• New multiple tenant wall signs for an
existing commercial building in Old Towne
• C-1 (Limited Business District)
The project was presented by Joyce Sehi -Quality Project Coordinate, Julie Mauer with Wells
Fargo Bank, and Warren Degree with Plasti-Line, Inc. The proposal is to install multiple wall
signs for various individual tenants occupying the existing Well Fargo Bank building within the
Old Towne Plaza Historic District. The tenants include Well Fargo Bank, Starbucks Coffee,
Copy & Postal Center, Briazz, and Pressing Business. Also proposed is to replace the existing
signs at the bank parking lot that runs through between Grand Street and Orange Street.
The DRB strongly felt that the type of sign and its proposed locations are inappropriate and
inconsistent with the Old Towne Design Standard. External illumination such as the traditional
goose neck type lights are suggested. The DRB also recommended alternative locations for the
installation of the tenant wall signs. The sign plans as proposed are unacceptable as submitted.
The DRB suggested that further study is needed for better solutions. Please note that the existing
pine trees on the west side are in the public right-of--way and are not to be touched as related to
this project.
MOTION by Steve Prothero to continue review of this item to the January 21, 1998 meeting.
SECOND: Tim McCormack
AYES: Tim McCormack, Steve McHarris, Steve Prothero, Robert Reilly
NOES: None
ABSENT: Rick Cavecche
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED