Architectural Review Committee Meeting

MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Wednesday, January 17, 2024 4:00 PM 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Tregenza, Ostovar, Palmer, Schmidt, Turgen Members Absent: Pauly, Hunter Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Senior Associate Planner Schmidt, Recording Secretary Arganbright CALL TO ORDER Chair Tregenza called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Recording Secretary Arganbright provided information to the public about how to participate by calling in to give public comment on the live web meeting. CONSENT ITEMS No comments were made regarding the consent agenda. On a motion by Committee Member Schmidt, seconded by Committee Member Turgen, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved the CONSENT ITEMS as submitted: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Tregenza, Ostovar, Palmer, Schmidt, Turgen NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Pauly, Hunter ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 2. December 20, 2023 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) Action: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Consider 1047 Cass Street; Architectural Review Permit ARP-23-0214 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review of a New Two-Story Single-Family Dwelling; Applicant Brendan Connolly & Diane Coward, Re:Vision West, LLC; Owner 1045 Cass LLC; CO-ES Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3) Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Action: Approved Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-23-0214 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review of a New Two-Story Single-Family Dwelling at 1047 Cass Street as submitted. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered Committee regarding the style of the house and trees to be planted. Applicant Applicant Diane Coward informed the committee about their experience and the vision of the company, Revision West, and how they would like to ease the housing crisis by creating workforce housing currently and low-income housing in the future. Applicant Brendan Connolly noted it is not affordable to build affordable housing and to help mitigate costs Revision West partnered with Shibusa Systems. Connolly mentioned the positives behind the Shibusa System and implementation in Monterey. Connolly then answered Committee questions regarding the component assembly. Public Comments The owner of 1035 Cass St spoke up to express opposition to the project. The owner mentioned that the runoff from 1047 Cass St flooded their property and speculated that this was not disclosed to the new buyers. The property owner also said that the increased impervious surface will increase the runoff and that the project at 1047 Cass St is not exempt from CEQA due to pre-existing conditions. The property owner also mentioned that the previous owner of 1047 Cass St never installed a sump pump and speculated the new plans do not include a pump for runoff. Senior Associate Planner Schmidt relayed that the runoff was considered in plans by changing the grade to allow more flow towards the street, a new sump pump, and a retaining wall. Schmidt also informed the owner/Committee that City does require storm water control systems in the building process. The 1035 Cass St. property owner restated that there was no plan for the pump and would like a condition for a pump to be added to the resolution. The Committee and Senior Associate Planner Schmidt pointed out the plans for a pump on the Site Plan. Applicant Brendan Connolly mentioned the developers have taken the runoff under heavy consideration and that the project attempted to avoid increasing impervious surfaces, hence the driveway is pervious. Connolly acknowledged it was a civil matter and verbally agreed to the pump condition. Planning Manager Hill noted that as part of the project the drainage plan has been reviewed and approved by the Public Works department for the City of Monterey. Committee Member Comments The Committee expressed the support of the building s environmentally friendly design and aesthetics as well as the community s need for housing. The Committee noted the thoughtfulness put into the design by the developer and were assured that the stormwater will be addressed by the Public works/engineering department. Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 2  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 On a motion by Chair Tregenza , seconded by Committee Member Palmer, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-23-0214 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review of a New Two-Story Single-Family Dwelling at 1047 Cass Street as submitted. AYES: 5 MEMBERS: Tregenza, Ostovar, Palmer, Schmidt, Turgen NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 2 MEMBERS: Pauly, Hunter ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None 4. Consider 2101 North Fremont Street; Architectural Review Permit ARP-24-0001 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review to Construct a New 42-Room, 4-story Hotel and Parking Lot. In lieu of story poles, which pose a potential safety hazard in this location, the applicant has displayed noticing boards on-site showing a rendering of the proposed structure; Applicant Adriana Cook, Arris Studio Architects; Owner Lakshmi Hotel Partners; VAF Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation (CEQA: Environmental Impact Report certified) Action: Approved Architectural Review Permit ARP-24-0001 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review to Construct a New 42-Room, 4-story Hotel and Parking Lot at 2101 North Fremont Street as submitted. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered regarding power lines, parking requirements, storm water control, and traffic. Planning Manager Hill also helped to answer the questions regarding power lines. Applicant Cody Phillips on behalf of the applicant recalled the plan was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission and the City Council and stated that the project is fully compliant within the VAF zoning. In response to questions, Phillips also recalled that the C Building Official confirmed the potential hazard in erecting story poles due to the power lines and that they supported the conceptual simulations securely posted on site. Phillips concluded by stating the environmental impact report investigated potential negative impacts and found no potential significant impacts. Applicant and Architect, Adriana Cook, presented the existing conditions, potential future appeal and aesthetics, materials used, how the project complies with zoning and matches the neighborhood, and addressed concerns about story poles and views. Public Comments The adjacent property owner, Laila Mahroom, expressed opposition to the city pushing the project through on grounds of insufficient notice and unsafe sidewalk conditions. Mahroom listed other options in lieu of story poles and referred to what the City of Carmel had done on a recent project. Mahroom stated the lack of story poles obfuscates the project from the public and denies a true representation of architectural aspects of the project. Mahroom also asserted the sidewalk was unsafe around the project considering there were no current plans to underground the utilities before the project is Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 3 Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 constructed. Wendy Brickman, who worked with the North Fremont Business District expressed gratitude for the project. Brickman said the grounding of utilities is up to PG&E. Brookman listed the economic benefits of the hotel and strongly urged for approval. Committee Member Comments Chair Tregenza addressed previous concerns about the sidewalk and asked Senior Associate Planner Schmidt if the project complies with Monterey City Code. Senior Associate Planner Schmidt recounted that City Council s condition of approval required the hotel owner to grant an easement increasing the width and safety of the sidewalk. Schmidt also confirmed that grounding the utilities would be up to the City s engineering/public works department and PG&E. Committee Member Schmidt expressed multiple concerns about traffic, parking, pedestrian and driving safety, and overall aesthetics of the utility lines in regards to the proposed building. Committee Member Ostovar expressed a desire to understand when/if the City would require developers to underground their utilities. Ostovar said that the proposed project overall looks good and then had to leave due to a time conflict. Committee Member Palmer expressed appreciation for the project and talked about how the area of North Fremont needed revitalization. Palmer also asked the number of previous parking spaces to which Senior Associate Planner Schmidt replied there were 32 parking spaces compared to the 42 proposed for the project. Chair Tregenza appreciated the additions to the hotel plans and believed it to be a good addition to North Fremont Street and long overdue. Tregenza noted that the undergrounding will eventually happen, and that pedestrian safety has been addressed. He also noted that he was in favor of the project as well as the pedestrian access. Committee Member Turgen appreciated the non-typical design and thoughtfulness of the hotel compared to other hotels under the same brand and expressed concern about the power lines. On a motion by Committee Member Palmer, seconded by Chair Tregenza, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-24-0001 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review to Construct a New 42-Room, 4-story Hotel and Parking Lot at 2101 North Fremont Street as submitted. AYES: 3 MEMBERS: Tregenza, Palmer, Turgen NOES: 1 MEMBERS: Schmidt ABSENT: 3 MEMBERS: Pauly, Hunter, Ostovar ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 4 Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Received update. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Planning Manager Chair Architectural Review Committee Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 17, 2024 5