1994-05-18 Final DRC MinutesCity of Orange
Design Review Board
MINUTES
Conference
Room "C"
Wednesday,
May 18, 1994
Board members present. Robert Homacek, David Kent, Steven Prothero,
Beau Shigetomi and Erika Wolfe
Staff in attendance: Jim Donovan and Howard Morris
Item 1)
Item 2)
Administrative Session - 4:00 P. M.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of meetings held on April 20 and May 4 as recorded.
DRB 2640
ORANGE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION
JIM PALMER
367 SOUTH LEMON STREET
Request for a revision to approved plans to omit river rock exterior covering on the porte
cochere/trash enclosure on a group home in the Old Towne District.
(No plans were submitted. The applicant will present photographs of the new building at
the meeting.)
This item was withdrawn from the agenda, and will be considered at a future date.
Cify of Orange
Design Review Boarcl Minutes
May 18, 1994
Page 2
Regular Session - 5:00 p.m.
Final Items -
Item 3)
DRB 2924: BEAZER HOMES, TRACT 14847
WEST OF PROSPECT ST., AT BOND AVE.
Comprehensive final submittal for a residential condominium development along Santiago
Creek; R-3, or Multiple Family Residential District.
A presentation was made by Tom Grable. The staff had some questions about the applicant's irrigation
plans. Manual systems are proposed in four of the homeowners' (private) back yards. Each of the four
water lines should contain a vacuum breaker at the top of sloped areas. The board directed the applicant
to resolve this matter to satisfy the Community Services staff.
The board expressed concern about the rear elevations on some of the buildings. The board felt that
architectural detail has been simplified to the point where elevations are somewhat "bleak." These
elevations could benefit from added shutters or window trim. The applicant pointed out that preliminary
elevations were reviewed last November. The board replied that their only concern was for the side of a
building located at the northwestern tip of the project site, which is visible from Collins Avenue.
Other buildings will not be visible from Prospect or Collins. The road bed is substantially higher than
building pads, the intermediate slope is adequately landscaped and a garden wall should make the rear
elevations impossible to see. While the applicant resisted any change in final plans, the board did not
think it too much to ask for embellishment at this time.
The applicant ultimately agreed that window trim and "stucco foam" detailing, similar to that on front
elevations, could be added to the plans.
Motion: to approve the final submittal, based upon the content of discussion.
by: Robert Hornacek
2nd: David Kent
ayes: Robert Hornacek David Kent and Beau Shigetomi
noes: Steven Prothero and Erika Wolfe
MOTION CARRIED
(Continued on the following page)
City of Orange
Design Review Board Minutes
May 18, 1994
Page 3
Item 3)
DRB 2924: BEAZER HOMES, TRACT 14847
WEST OF PROSPECT ST., AT BOND AVE.
(Continued from the previous page)
Staff Recommendation and Requirements
• Provide the following note on Irrigation Plan, Sheets I-1 thru I-7:
NOTIFY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT (714)744-5596, FOR IRRIGATION MAIN LINE
PRESSURE TEST AND COVERAGE TEST. 48 HOURS NOTICE REQUIRED.
• Sheet I-3, Irrigation Plan:
Provide atmospheric vacuum breaker at top of slopes watered by manual valves. Vacuum breaker
must be 6" above the highest sprinkler on the irrigation system for proper backflow prevention and
indicate atmospheric vacuum breaker on plans. Staff recommends substituting RICHDEL 704 PR or
equivalent for Hardy 700 APR Series valve.
• Sheets P-4 thru P-6, Tree/Ground Cover Planting Plan:
Ground cover hydroseed mix for slope areas is not indicated on Plans & Specifications, and need to
be submitted to the DRB for approval.
• Staff is also concerned about the extensive amount of slope areas to be hydroseeded throughout the
development. Since most hydroseed mixes are only temporary and last for 3-5 years, Community
Services recommends more flatted or 1 gallon plant material be used in the landscape.
Furthermore, Gazania hybrid ground cover is short-lived and also should be reduced at the site.
• Sheet I-3, Planting Plan:
Staff recommends slopes maintained by homeowner be planated with flatted material rather than
hydroseeded.
• Sheet P-4, Tree/Ground Cover Planting Plan:
Landscaping is missing on common area slope.
• Sheets P-4 thru P-6, Planting Plan:
Symbol for hydroseeded slopes is the same as Hypericum calycinum, St. John's Wort. Change
hydroseeded slope symbol to match sheets P-1 thru P-4.
• Provide landscape notes per Community Services Department requirements.
City of Orange
Design Review Boarrl Minutes
May 18, 1994
Page 4
Item 4)
DRB 2972: PARSONS FAMILY TRUST (BRUCE PARSONS)
WEST OF PROSPECT ST., AT BOND AVE.
Freestanding sign for a multi-tenant industrial complex, remanded upon Zoning
Administrator's review of Variance 1970-94; Santa Fe Depot Area Specific Plan, Old
Towne and M-1 (Light Manufacturing) Districts; Southwest Redevelopment Project Area.
The applicant was represented by Bruce Parsons and Douglas Arch, from Carey Sign Graphics. Staff
presented the results of the Zoning Administrator's hearing. The Zoning Administrator does indeed feel
that the applicant is entitled to special consideration, since the industrial complex is exceptionally large
and has a greater number of tenants than any other property that has the same zoning classification.
The Zoning Administrator asked that the applicant revise the proposal so it is consistent with Old Towne
Design Guidelines, and approved by the Design Review Board.
The board felt that the greater size of this proposed sign is "still a problem", especially where it is now
proposed. The board suggests that if a variance is to be granted, that greater area be allowed for wall
signs, rather than a free standing sign. After some discussion, the applicant agreed to work within the
maximum height limit of 42 inches, and to use the sign area only for the title of the complex. The
tenant's sign will be installed as a directory on east- and west-facing elevations. The applicant agreed to
the suggestion as an alternative.
Motion: to approve a revised proposal that is consistent with the content of discussion. Final
plans shall be prepared and submitted for review and approval by the Zoning
Administrator and the Senior Planner, Historic Preservation.
by: Steven Prothero
2nd.• Erika Wolfe
ayes: Robert Hornacek David Kent, Steven Prothero, Beau Shigetomi
and Erika Wolfe
noes: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange
Design Review eoarcl Minutes
May 18, 1994
Page 5
Item 5)
DRB 2975: HOJO INN (PRAFUL PATEL); A. 8~ B. DESIGN GROUP
1930 E. KATELLA AVE.
Building elevations and preliminary landscaping plan for a substantial addition to the
resident manager's unit of a motel, including a tower element proposed to a height of
approximately 47 feet; C-TR, or Limited Business District, Tustin Street R.P.A.
The applicant was represented by Bernard Haynes. The board had questions about Code limitations that
apply to this project. The staff replied that a height limitation of two stories or 30 feet applies only to
habitable living space. OMC Section 17.72.010 specifically allows greater height for "towers, scenery
lofts and cupolas." The board felt that the tower element would add quite a dramatic feature to the local
skyline, although the site is isolated from Katella Avenue and other public streets, and is therefore less
visible. Nonetheless, the benefit for advertising is doubled when one considers the existing freestanding
sign.
The board asked the staff whether the applicant could have wall signs at the proposed location. After
some review of the sign code, the staff reported that a wall sign may not be installed above "the top of
the second floor window line". The only exception is for high rise structures that are over four (4) stories
in height. The board informed the project designer that the plans could not be approved unless the wall
signs were eliminated. Since the tower was designed with a facia to display the sign, the vertical
dimension should be reduced accordingly, if no sign is proposed.
The board then suggested that if the freestanding sign were removed, perhaps the wall signs would be
permissible. The staff agreed that approval of the previous variance could be extended to allow higher
wall signs, so long as the freestanding sign is removed entirely. The City Council has already made the
findings necessary to allow greater height for a sign at this location.
Furthermore, the board asked the designer to reconsider the span beneath the pone cochere. The lower
portion is designed with a couple of extended arches that appear to float in space. The board suggested
that this element of the facade be redesigned as a solid lintel.
Motion: to approve the proposal on a preliminary basis. Final building elevations shall be
submitted with a detailed landscape and irrigation plan.
by: Steven Prothero
2nd: Robert Hornacek
ayes: Robert Hornacek, David Kent, Steven Prothero, Beau Shigetomi
and Erika Wolfe
noes: None
MOTION CARRIED
Staff Recommendations and Requirements
• Submit landscape and irrigation plans to the Design Review Board per DRB Guidelines.
• Provide landscape notes per Community Services Department requirements.
City of Orange
Design Review Board Minutes
May 18, 1994
Page 6
Item 6)
DRB 2976: DEL TACO; AD/ART SIGNS, INC.
3730 E. CHAPMAN AVE.
Relocation and modification of an existing freestanding sign; C-1, or Limited Business
District.
Motion: to approve the proposal as submitted, so long as an opaque background is provided.
by: Erika Wolfe
2nd: Robert Hornacek
ayes: Robert Hornacek, David Kent, Steven Prothero, Beau Shigetomi
and Erika Wolfe
noes: None
MOTION CARRIED
City of Orange
Design Review Boarc! Minutes
May 18, 1994
Page 7
Item 7)
DRB 2977: A WHITE DOVE FLOWER SHOP (MICHELLE BUNGE)
1031 W. CHAPMAN AVE.
New freestanding sign; C-2, or Limited Business District, Southwest Redevelopment
Project Area.
A presentation was made by Michelle Bunge. A revised plan has been prepared by a sign company.
The applicant is proposing to install an existing sign that is fabricated as a single unit, to be modified.
The issues that concern to the board were therefore, whether (1) the sign is appropriate for this location,
and (2) plastic display panels are satisfactory.
Motion: to approve the proposal as submitted, so long as the plastic panel has an opaque
background. Only the "copy" should be visible at night.
by: Erika Wolfe
2nd: Robert Hornacek
ayes: Robert Hornacek, David Kent, Steven Prothero, Beau Shigetomi
and Erika Wolfe
noes: None
MOTION CARRIED
Staff Recommendations and Requirements
Submit irrigation plan to staff, with revised planting plan.
o Provide the following note on irrigation plans:
NOTIFY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, (714) 744-5596, FOR IRRIGATION
MAINLINE PRESSURE TEST AND COVERAGE TEST. 48 HOURS NOTICE REQUIRED.
Adjournment: 6:40 P. M.