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07-0822_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES ' AUGUST 22, 2007 CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL - PLANNING COMMISSION — DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE JOINT WORKSHOP Mayor Allevato called the adjourned, regular, joint workshop of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review Committee of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 7:03 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Council Member Hribar led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Londres Uso, Mark Nielsen, Tom Hribar, Mayor pro tem Joe Soto, and Mayor Sam Allevato COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Tim Neely, Virginia Kerr, Gene Ratcliff, Vice Chairman Sheldon Cohen PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Chairman Robert Cardoza (excused) DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeff Parkhurst (Planning Commissioner Tim Neely also serves on the committee) DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: (Planning Commissioner Chairman Robert Cardoza serves on the committee and as noted above had an excused absence.) STAFF PRESENT: Steven A. Apple, Planning Director; Grant Taylor, Assistant Planning Director; David Contreras, Senior Planner; Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager; Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager; Meg Monahan, City Clerk DISCUSSION ITEMS 1, CONSIDERATION OF APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DENIAL OF ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 06-12, MEXICO LINDO-VAQUERO WEST BUILDING, 26755 VERDUGO STREET (410.60) Description: On July 17, 2007, the City Council considered the appeal of the Planning Commission denial of an Architectural Control application for a 4,746 square foot addition to the existing building located at 26755 Verdugo Street. At that 1 8-22-2007 meeting, the City Council voted to continue consideration of the project at a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and Design Review Committee. The intent of the workshop is to provide collective direction to the applicant on whether the existing building, which is on the Buildings of Distinction (BOD) list should be saved as part of the proposal, or razed, allowing for development of a new building, or left substantially as is with tenant improvements. Written Communications: Report dated August 22, 2007, prepared by David Contreras, Senior Planner. Staff Discussion & Presentations: David Contreras, Senior Planner, summarized the agenda report. During workshop discussion he verified that a new building in this location had a Not line setback requirement. Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager, reported the Cultural Heritage Commission had placed the building on the BOD list due to the possibility it is connected with the community's Basque history, which needs to be documented through a cultural resources report. The estimated cost to prepare a report is $10,000 to $15,000. The report would be utilized in the environmental analysis of the project. Since the Cultural Heritage Commission membership has changed, the result of a re -review may differ from the initial building review. Eric Altman, applicant, San Juan Capistrano, provided a power point presentation and handout, including sketches of building design proposals prepared since the July 17, 2007 Council meeting. Proposals included buildings ranging from 7,880 to 8,800 square feet. He stated that an 8,800 square foot building was needed for the project to be financially viable. His proposals have assumed retaining and adding to the existing building, based on direction from the Cultural Heritage Commission. If the City now desires the building razed, this will cost approximately $500,000 to $600,000 more. He requested the City assist in the financial viability of the project and design the building. Public Comment Don Tryon, City resident, (not representing the Cultural Heritage Commission), stated that as Cultural Heritage Commission members, he and Jan Siegel were the two dissenting votes when the Commission placed the building on the Buildings of Distinction (BOD) list. He felt the building should be removed, while retaining the pavilion at the rear, because the depot is a very prominent historic building and needs to be protected visually and physically. Ken Friess, City resident, felt that the project had to make financial sense. He recommended the City contact Pamela Gibson and the few remaining Basque 2 8-22-2007 descendents in the community, in order to determine the historical value of the building. This would quickly and inexpensively resolve whether the building should remain as a BOD. Jennifer Cox, Partner with Eric Altman, E & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, asked for clear direction as to how to proceed with development of the building. She and the applicant have tried to respond to the varying direction received during the processing of the application, which has been costly. They need to know what the City wants before considering razing the building. David Streshinsky, Principal, DKY Architects, Irvine, ascertained from discussion that if the building were removed, a new building in its place would be massed toward the east and north, using the design style of the depot and Franciscan Plaza. He felt an interesting project that provided a better pedestrian experience from Verdugo Street was possible. Council/Commission/Committee General Discussion: Council, commissioners and committee members expressed general concern with the massiveness of the applicant's proposal. Views to and from the depot are important to retain, as the proximity and relationship to the depot. Razing the existing building, would allow for the desired departure from the boxy appearance of the existing building architecture. The project elevation facing the depot and the Verdugo Street elevations are the most important. Council Member Nielsen felt the project could expand to the rear, but not as presented. The Verdugo Street elevation should draw people down the street toward the depot and landscaping was needed on the west and Verdugo elevations. There was concurrence among Council Members that the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) should consider potential project financial support. The applicant could present the economics of constructing buildings of various sizes such as 5,000; 6,000; and 7,000 square feet for the CRA to consider. Commissioner Kerr suggested the applicant consider a design charrette process to inexpensively explore design ideas. Council Member Hribar suggested she initiate such a process. Commissioner Neely was opposed to BOD reconsideration returning to the Cultural Heritage Commission. He felt, instead, the reconsideration should be decided by the City Council with the City Council directing the Cultural Heritage Commission what to include on the BOD list. 3 8-22-2007 Items of Council/Commission/Committee General Consensus: The following design direction to the applicant met general consensus: • The existing building should be razed. • The east elevation is the most suitable for two story building massing. There is less concern for variation or architectural interest. • Some seating area close to the depot should be retained. • The Verdugo Street elevation should be pedestrian oriented. • The west elevation, facing the depot, should include variation and interest in the building setback, design elements, and massing. • Building architecture should reflect the styles of the Santa Fe Train Depot and/or the Franciscan Plaza • Staff should expeditiously schedule Community Redevelopment Agency review of the project in order to determine the Agency's participation in the project development. Action: Moved by Council Member Nielsen, seconded by Council Member Uso, and carried 9-1-1 with Planning Commissioner/Design Review Committee Member Neely opposed, and Planning Commissioner/Design Review Committee Member Cardoza absent, to direct Cultural Heritage Commission to reconsider whether the Mexico Lindo-Vaquero West Building, located at 26755 Verdugo Street, should be placed on the City's Buildings of Distinction list, considering opinions from Pamela Gibson and the community's Basque descendents. _ ROLL CALL AYES: DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBER: Parkhurst PLANNING COMMISSIONER: Kerr, Ratcliffe, Cohen COUNCIL MEMBER: Uso, Nielsen, Hribar, Soto, and Mayor Allevato NOES: DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBER: None PLANNING COMMISSIONER: Neely COUNCIL MEMBER: None ABSENT: DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBER: None PLANNING COMMISSIONER: Chairman Cardoza COUNCIL MEMBER: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Allevato adjourned the joint workshop at 9:08 p.m. 4 8-22-2007 • The City Council was adjourned to Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. for ' Closed Session, and 7:00 p.m. for the Business Session, in the City Council Chamber. • The Planning Commission was adjourned to Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. • The Design Review Committee was adjourned to Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Respectfully submitted, R. MONAHAN, CITY CLERK September 18, 2007 5 8-22-2007