Architectural Review Committee Meeting

MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Wednesday, March 5, 2014 AFTERNOON SESSION ONLY 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Latasa, Freeman, Dawson, Kimzey, Silva, Sullivan Members Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Kinison Brown, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Associate Civil Engineer Llantero, Recording Secretary Nelson CALL TO ORDER Chair Latasa called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. CONSENT ITEMS Committee Member Dawson made a motion to move item #2 to the Consent Agenda. On a motion by Committee Member Dawson, seconded by Committee Member Kimzey, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee moved item #2 to the Consent Agenda: AYES: 6 MEMBERS: Latasa, Freeman, Dawson, Kimzey, Silva, Sullivan NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None Committee Member Dawson and Committee Member Sullivan abstained from voting on item #1 of the Consent Items due to their absence from the February 19, 2014 meeting. On a motion by Committee Member Dawson, seconded by Committee Member Kimzey, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 6 MEMBERS: Latasa, Freeman, Dawson, Kimzey, Silva, Sullivan NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. February 19, 2014 ACTION: Approved as submitted, with Dawson and Sullivan abstaining.  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Other Consent Items 2. Consider 2124 North Fremont Street; Sign Permit 13-509 for One Halo-Lit Wall Sign, One Internally-Illuminated Wall Sign and One Internally-Illuminated Vehicle- Oriented Freestanding Sign; Applicant Chris Merrell for Northwest Signs; Property Owner G6 Hospitality for Motel 6; C-2 Community Commercial Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Moved to Consent Agenda; Adopted a Resolution approving the two wall signs and one freestanding sign with special Conditions of Approval that all signs are halo-lit and the freestanding sign and “Welcome” sign facing North Fremont be redesigned to have raised letters on an aluminum background. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Consider 2401 Del Monte Avenue; AR Permit 13-495 for Exterior Alterations Associated with Conversion of La Quinta Inn to Hampton Inn and the Addition of a 1754 Square Foot Breakfast Room; Applicant James McCord, AIA; Owner Del Monte Hospitality, LLC; VAF Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Adopted a Resolution approving the exterior alterations with Conditions of Approval. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Committee Members’ questions. Applicant James McCord, applicant, said the shaded area near the entry shown on the plans is a change from AC paving to paving stones and that entry will remain as shown with the area to be enclosed under the post tension slab. He also said he would like to update the breakfast room area because the current area is combined with the lobby and is inadequate in size. In response to Chair Latasa’s question, Mr. McCord said water allowance for the property is based on the number of guest rooms and that breakfast food is not prepared on site. Public Comments None. Committee Member Comments Committee Member Dawson said the proposed colors are very beige and the ARC has been criticized for approving overly beige projects in the past. Chair Latasa said the proposed colors are understated and appropriate given the proximity to the freeway. 2  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Committee Member Silva made a motion to adopt a Resolution approving the exterior alterations with Conditions of Approval. On a motion by Committee Member Silva, seconded by Committee Member Freeman, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee Adopted a Resolution approving the exterior alterations with Conditions of Approval: AYES: 6 MEMBERS: Latasa, Freeman, Dawson, Kimzey, Silva, Sullivan NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None 4. Consider MST Transit Center, Simoneau Plaza; AR Permit 14-056 for Installation of a Modular Sidewalk Restroom; Applicant City of Monterey Capital Projects Office; Owner City of Monterey; PC-D Planned Community Zoning District (Downtown Specific Plan); Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Continued the application with direction for staff to present alternatives that are stick-built or design-built for the location. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Taven M. Kinison Brown presented the Agenda Report and answered Committee Members’ Questions. Applicant Richard Llantero, Associate Civil Engineer, said Capital Projects proposes to move the wall at Simoneau Plaza back six to seven feet to provide a flat landing for placement of the Portland Loo unit. In response to Vice Chair Freeman’s question, Mr. Llantero said the inset area on Tyler Street would not be appropriate for the restroom unit due to security reasons. In response to Committee Member Silva’s question, Mr. Llantero said he has heard of problems with the homeless occupying the Portland Loo permanently when placed in secluded areas, however, the manufacturers have redesigned the unit and reported problems have declined. In response to Committee Member Kimzey’s question, Mr. Llantero said the louvers on the bottom of the unit make it easy to see if the unit is being occupied. In response to Chair Latasa’s question, Mr. Llantero said he is only aware of one color option for the Portland Loo, and that the stainless steel and powder coating is graffiti resistant, and that a landscape plan and modified guardrail could be incorporated with installation. Public Comments None. Committee Member Comments Committee Member Kimzey said he is troubled by the proposal because the ARC is tasked with preserving Monterey’s character and harmony by examining all exterior aspects of a project, and the proposal does not allow for this. He also said the proposed project goes against the recently adopted Downtown Specific Plan in that it would not 3 Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 5, 2014 encourage residents to visit the area, would not complement Monterey’s image, would not preserve the architectural character and complement the surrounding adobes, and would not contribute to the visual continuity of the district. Committee Member Kimzey also said the Portland Loo should not be placed in Simoneau Plaza as it is a landmark entry point of Monterey and the MST transit center may be moved within one or two years. Committee Member Dawson said he agrees largely with Committee Member Kimzey’s Comments. He also said the proposed project detracts from the historic downtown area and suggested mitigation to cause the restroom to look like a landscape item. Committee Member Sullivan said that the proposed project goes against the vision of the City and said a more compatible site-specific restroom facility could be constructed. Committee Member Silva said that the Portland Loo is not appropriate for Monterey’s population and environment and that a restroom should be site-built and site-specific, not prefabricated. Vice Chair Freeman said she would like to see a site-built restroom facility in a less offensive place, but of the three proposed locations, location #3 would have the least footprint and impact. Chair Latasa said he supports the proposal because he has seen other Portland Loos that are attractive and there is a need for restrooms at the MST station. At the Committee’s request, Council Member Libby Downey came forward from the audience to speak and said she is on the MST Board and regularly receives complaints for restroom facilities at Simoneau Plaza. Ms. Downey also said she supports shrubbery and keeping the bathroom facility as discrete as possible. Committee Member Silva made a motion to continue the application in order for staff to consider alternate restroom facility locations. Committee Member Kimzey asked if Silva would consider adding a condition that a stick-built approach be used in the alternate location. Chair Latasa said that the intention of the City Council when approving the restroom was to serve the MST station. Mr. Llantero said the Simoneau Plaza location was chosen because it is very centrally located and not currently serviced by any other restroom facility. Committee Member Silva struck his motion. Committee Member Silva made a motion to continue the application with direction for staff to present alternatives that are stick-built or design-built for the location. Chair Latasa said he does not support the motion because the proposed project is reasonable and could be integrated and mitigated in the location. 4  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 5, 2014 On a motion by Committee Member Silva, seconded by Committee Member Kimzey, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee Continued the application with direction for staff to present alternatives that are stick-built or design-built for the location: AYES: 5 MEMBERS: Freeman, Dawson, Kimzey, Silva, Sullivan NOES: 1 MEMBERS: Latasa ABSENT: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee Member Silva said he forwarded an application to a fellow architect who is interested in joining the ARC. Chair Latasa said he will be attending the Mayor’s meeting on Monday, March 10, 2014 and will speak about honoring Boris Jacoubowsky and the ARC’s desire to have more gender representation on the Committee. Committee Member Dawson said he attended a lunch and opening ceremony for the new Cannery Row monument and encouraged everyone to go see the monument. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Mr. Kinison Brown gave an overview of past and upcoming Architectural Review Committee Projects. Mr. Kinison Brown also said that a new sign proposal for 296 Lighthouse Avenue will be coming before the ARC, and the 230 Lighthouse Avenue project will likely be heard on April 2, 2014. Ms. Hopper said that the City Council Meeting on March 18, 2014 will include an item that affects the Citywide Sign Ordinance in regards to political signs in the right of way. 6. Planning Office Update Mr. Kinison Brown presented the Planning Office Update. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:21 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Taven M. Kinison Brown Chair Principal Planner Architectural Review Committee 5