Architectural Review Committee Meeting

MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 6, 2013 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Hill, Bartram, Davis, Dawson, Jacoubowsky, Latasa, Sullivan Members Absent: None Staff Members Present: Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Halabi CALL TO ORDER Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Committee Member Davis, seconded by Committee Member Jacoubowsky, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 7 MEMBERS: Hill, Bartram, Davis, Dawson, Jacoubowsky, Latasa, Sullivan NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. January 16, 2013 ACTION: Approved as amended. Committee Member Comments: Committee Member Sullivan requested to have item 4 reflect that he abstained from the vote. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, February 6, 2013 2. Approve 1064 Harrison Street; Tree Removal Appeal 12-232 for Removal of One Oak Tree and Construction of a Driveway and Parking Pad; Applicant/Owner Todd and Marianne Bartos; R-1-6 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Action: Adopted a Resolution approving the tree removal appeal and approving the design and location of a driveway and parking pad within the front yard setback area with amended Conditions of Approval. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions: Todd Bennett presented the Agenda Report and answered Committee Members' questions. Applicant: Todd Bartos said the intent of the project is to facilitate off-street parking and minimize the visual impact of a parking pad in the front yard setback. Public Comment: None. Committee Member Comments: Committee Member Jacoubowsky said utilizing turf stone is a possible solution creating a usable, less defined parking area that would not require the removal of any trees. Committee Member Davis said the proposed pavers would create cohesiveness between the existing walkway and proposed parking area. Committee Member Bartram said the location is suitable and proposed adding a condition to require a one to one tree replacement. Committee Member Dawson made a motion to adopt a Resolution approving the tree removal appeal and approve the design and location of a driveway and parking pad within the front yard setback area. Committee Member Davis seconded the motion. Committee Member Sullivan said there are better alternatives that would not require the removal of a tree. Committee Member Jacoubowsky concurred. In response to committee member comments, Committee Member Latasa said alternative locations would create aesthetic problems, therefore the removal of the tree is warranted. He concurred with Committee Member Bartram’s suggestion and suggested adding to the condition that the City Forester make the final determination on the size and location. The motion maker and seconder concurred with the addition conditions as follows: Special: 2. That, the oak tree approved for removal will require a one-for-one replacement, the size (container size and/or diameter of tree) and location to be determined by the City’s Urban Forester. 2  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, February 6, 2013 On a motion by Committee Member Dawson seconded by Committee Member Davis, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee Adopted a Resolution approving the tree removal appeal and approving the design and location of a driveway and parking pad within the front yard setback area with amended Conditions of Approval. AYES: 5 MEMBERS: Hill, Bartram, Davis, Dawson, Latasa NOES: 2 MEMBERS: Jacoubowsky, Sullivan ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None 3. Deny 2339 North Fremont Street; Sign Permit Application 11-317 for New Vehicle- Oriented Freestanding Sign; Applicant Hyangmi Kim Mikhail; Owner Su Yol Kim; C-2 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Action: Adopted a Resolution Approving the Sign Permit application with Conditions of Approval. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions: Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Committee Members' questions. Applicant: Frederick Tygus, representing the applicant, said there are three similar signs currently on Fremont Street and a small sign on the front of the building would have minimal visibility. Public Comment: None. Committee Member Comments: Committee Member Davis said approving a larger sign should be considered due to the double frontage and suggested lowering the sign, and wrapping the base at the four foot fence height which would meet the intent of the North Fremont Area Plan. Committee Member Latasa concurred and said thickening the base would produce the look of a monument sign. Committee Member Bartram suggested trimming the existing pole and sign cabinet down to the top of the fence would better meet the Citywide Sign Guidelines. Committee Member Latasa said the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is able to approve projects that deviate from City standards on a case by case basis. Committee Member Sullivan said dropping the pole down and building the base up to encapsulate it would create the least amount of physical alteration. Committee Member Bartram made a motion to adopt a Resolution approving the Sign Permit applicant with Conditions of Approval. 3  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Committee Member Davis seconded the motion. On a motion by Committee Member Dawson, seconded by Committee Member Davis, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee adopted a Resolution approving the Sign Permit application with amended Conditions of Approval. AYES: 7 MEMBERS: Hill, Bartram, Davis, Dawson, Jacoubowsky, Latasa, Sullivan NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None 4. Review Architectural Review Committee Meeting Protocol; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Action: The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) discussed the Architectural Review Committee meeting protocol. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions: Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Committee Member questions. Public Comment: None. Committee Member Comments: Committee Member Hill said the intent of this item was to discuss the direction and structure of the ARC, as well as the role of ARC as a governing body within the City. He suggested scheduling a future discussion to review the various plans and governing documents that influence and guide ARC decisions. Committee Member Dawson said he would like the Committee’s opinion before he attends subcommittee meetings to be able to provide greater input. Ms. Hopper said discussion from subcommittee representatives could be added as an agenda item under Public Appearance, which would be subject to public comment. Ms. Hopper said the flow of the meetings could be improved by moving to the dias. She suggested the Committee move to the dias for future meetings to allow staff the opportunity to present Power Point presentations. Committee Member Hill said he is unwilling to make the move to the dias at this point if the technology does not support it. Committee Member Dawson said the current layout provides a hospitable, friendly environment for the applicants. Committee Member Latasa concurred. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee Member Dawson gave a brief update on the subcommittees he serves on. He also suggested agendizing residential lighting rules for a future ARC meeting. Committee Member Latasa made mention to the language used in staff Agenda Reports stating that he prefers the use of “Consider” over “Deny” in staff recommendations. 4 Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, February 6, 2013 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS In answer to Committee Member Latasa’s questions, Ms. Hopper said the Cypress Tree on the Recreation trail split and could not be saved. In answer to Committee Member Dawson’s questions from the January 16, 2013 meeting, Ms. Hopper said the tree at 499 Calle Principal has not yet been replaced, however, the Building Permit for the project has not been finaled. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Christine Hopper Chair Senior Associate Planner Architectural Review Committee 5