Architectural Review Committee Meeting

MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Wednesday, January 15, 2025 4:00 PM 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Pauly, Ostovar, Tregenza, Turgen Members Absent: Hunter, Palmer, Sanders Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Recording Secretary Arganbright CALL TO ORDER Chair Pauly called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Recording Secretary Arganbright announced staff present and provided information to the public about how to participate by calling in to give public comment on the live web meeting. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes No comments were made regarding the consent agenda. 2. December 18, 2024 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) Action: Approved as submitted. On a motion by Committee Member Tregenza, seconded by Committee Member Turgen, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved the CONSENT ITEMS as submitted: AYES: 3 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Pauly, Ostovar, Turgen NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 3 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Hunter, Palmer, Sanders, ABSTAIN: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Tregenza RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (None) General Public Comment None 3. Consider 890 McClellan Street; Application ARP-24-0127 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review of a First- and Second-Story Addition to an Existing One-Story Single-Family Dwelling; Applicant Aaron Tollefson; Owner Mr. Brent Thye; R-1-5 Zoning District; Low Density Residential General Plan Land Use Designation; Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Action: Approved application ARP-24-0127 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review of a First- and Second-Story Addition to an Existing One-Story Single- Family Dwelling at 890 McClellan Street. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Planning Manager Hill presented the Agenda Report and briefly described the field trip held previously on the same day. Applicant Owner Brent Thye presented the proposed project and addressed questions from the Committee, as well as comments from neighbors raised at the previous ARC meeting. Thye mentioned they were open to keeping the cypress trees trimmed to hedge level but preferred not to lower the roof height of the proposed residence. In response to a Committee inquiry, Thye confirmed they would be living in the residence full-time. Public Comments Neighbor Steve Nelson expressed concern that the project would unnecessarily obstruct the height be reduced while maintaining the increased square footage. Neighbor Steve Biehle echoed the request to lower the roof height. Biehle suggested removing the cypress trees and replacing them with shorter alternatives to preserve a height of 10 feet. Biehle noted that while they had recently added on to their own home, they chose not to add an additional story. However, if the proposed project were approved, they would need to reconsider their options. Neighbor Diane Biehle voiced concern about losing views due to the proposed project. Biehle disagreed with the arborist's recommendation to allow the cypress trees to grow taller, explaining that the trees need more space to thrive. Neighbor Tom Clark supported following the arborist's advice regarding the trees, as they had encountered similar challenges when building their own home around trees. Clark expressed appreciation for the project as a positive addition to the neighborhood. Neighbor Martha Nelson estimated that they would lose 50% of their views due to the project. Nelson requested that the ARC impose a condition limiting the height of the cypress trees if they were unwilling to impose a similar restriction on the height of the second-story addition. Committee Member Comments The Committee expressed appreciation for the opportunity to observe the view impacts from neighboring properties during the field trip. They noted that the impact on neighboring views was not overly drastic and that neighbors were not losing the entirety of their view. The Committee also appreciated that the applicant was open to keeping the trees as hedges. The Committee discussed the possibility of requesting a decrease in the roof pitch but concluded that it would involve significant cost and effort for minimal impact on views. They reflected on previous view impact cases, emphasizing that the process is about compromise. The Committee reiterated that the project meets all necessary findings. The Committee noted that it would be unusual to impose strict height limits on trees or Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 15, 2025 2  Architectural Review Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 15, 2025 vegetation and expressed a preference for neighbors to address these matters through civil discussion. The Committee expressed surprise by how much view remained for neighbors despite the project. Additionally, the Committee observed that utility lines had a more significant impact on views than the proposed project. The Committee continued to discuss whether to impose a condition on the height of the trees or vegetation. On a motion by Committee Member Tregenza, seconded by Committee Member Turgen, and carried by the following vote, the Architectural Review Committee approved application ARP- 24-0127 for Preliminary and Final Architectural Review of a First- and Second-Story Addition to an Existing One-Story Single-Family Dwelling at 890 McClellan with the condition that the Monterey Cypress trees along the property frontage be maintained at their current height or be replaced with other vegetation of the same height: AYES: 4 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Pauly, Ostovar, Tregenza, Turgen NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 3 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Hunter, Palmer, Sanders ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (None) RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (None) COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Planning Update Received. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Planning Manager Chair Architectural Review Committee Architectural Review Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 15, 2025 3 ARC Field Trip Minutes January 15, 2025 Call to order at 2:01 PM Attendees Committee: Pauly Ostovar Tregenza Turgen Staff: Levi Hill Christy Sabdo Applicants: Brent Thye Aaron Tollefson Public: Steve Nelson Martha Nelson Steve Biehle Diane Biehle Staff member Hill called the meeting to order at 2:01 and provided a brief explanation of the purpose of the field trip and the procedures for the meeting. Attendees of the field trip visited the neighboring property at 529 Pine Street and viewed the project site from the front porch and front room of the residence. Attendees of the field trip then visited the neighboring property at 515 Pine Street and viewed the project site from the front porch and front room of the residence. The Committee members inquired about the row of cypress trees planted along the they were already planted when he acquired the property. Staff member Hill answered questions regarding process. The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 pm.