Design Review Commission

WALNUT CREEK DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION March 4, 2009 7:00pm Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall, Council Chamber 1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek COMMISSIONERS: Chair Joseph Gorny Vice Chair Brian Kilian Mark Lopez Dorothy McDonald Sanjiv Bhandari 1. OPENING Roll Call: All commissioners were present, except Commissioner Lopez 2. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner Kilian pulled item “3a”, Brian Ranch Application Y08-126 for comment. Scott Harriman, Assistant Planning Manager asked to clarify item “c”, Time Extension for 235 Ygnacio Valley Road, Application Y06-102. a. BRIAN RANCH SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES - APPLICATION NO. Y08-126- DESIGN REVIEW & TREE REMOVAL PERMIT (PUBLIC HEARING). Final design review of five new, one-story, single-family homes, fences, landscaping, and a request to remove two trees (Trees 78 and 87) at 3085 Oak Grove Road (APN 142-112-001). GENERAL PLAN LAND USE: Single Family Medium Density (3.1-6.0 DU/A). ZONING: Single Family R-12 (12,000 Sq.Ft.Min Lot Size) Commissioner Kilian commented that the landscape site plan had organic-shaped bioswales; however the current civil drawings do not reflect this condition. Mr. Harriman stated that the Conditions of Approval require the organic-shaped bioswales with the site development permit and than plans will be modified during plan check and construction. Chair Gorny commented that the applicant and Staff should note these changes on the drawings to expedite the review of plans. As a side note, Chair Gorny suggested that half-size plans could be used to reduce paper and printing costs, provided that the plans were legible. b. One-Year Time Extension – Design Review Application No. Y06-051, Kingsbury Terrace, 1601 Third Avenue c. One-Year Time Extension – Design Review Application No. Y06-102, 235 Ygnacio Valley Road Mr. Harriman noted that the plans in the Commissioners packet were incorrect. He showed the correct, approved drawings and elevations. d. Approve minutes of February 4, 2009 Motion by Bhandari, second by McDonald to approve the Consent Calendar as discussed and clarified. AYES: Bhandari, McDonald, Kilian, Gorny ABSENT: Lopez

Design Review Commission March 4, 2009 Minutes Page 2 of 4 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. WALNUT CREEK LIBRARY TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION BARRICADE GRAPHICS DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION NO. Y09-012. A request to construct a temporary construction barricade with graphics for the Walnut Creek Library located at 1644 N. Broadway. ZONING: CF, Community Facility. Deborah Han, Associate Planner, provided a summary of the staff report regarding installation of story panels on the library construction barricade. The theme of the panels would be, “A Place for Everyone – A Place for You.” The panels would be 8ft x 4ft with peep-holes to allow pedestrians a view of the construction progress. Kristin Anderson, and Carole Wynstra, Applicants, stated there would be nine panels totaling less than the 15% coverage restriction. The vinyl panels would depict the various functions of the library and updated information could be glued on the panels to keep them relevant. Logos on the panels would include those of the City, the County, and the Library Foundation. This summer the Library Foundation will be providing guided tours using the panels. The Commissioners asked questions of the Staff and Applicant regarding the panel designs, panel material, location of panels and other signs on the fencing including the number of subcontractor signs,. Chair Gorny opened the Public Hearing. There were no speakers and Chair Gorny closed the Public Hearing. The Commissioners commented on the application as follows: Commissioner Kilian: Panels are fine as long as there is a neat frontage and no signs would rise above the top of the fencing. Chair Gorny: All subcontractors should be represented on one sign and all construction signs would be located in one area. Commissioner Bhandari: Suggested that panels be spaced an equal distance apart and aligned along the top of the fence. Motion by Kilian, second by Bhandari to approve application No.Y09-012 with the following conditions: All signs, including the story panels cannot extend above the top of the fence; there should be a consistent gap between signs; all construction signs to be grouped together at one end of the barricade . AYES: Kilian, Bhandari, McDonald, Gorny ABSENT: Lopez b. NEIMAN MARCUS RETAIL PROJECT - DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION NO. Y08-073- PUBLIC HEARING for Design Review of a new 92,000 square-foot retail building (48,000 net new square feet), comprising a basement, loading dock area, and two floors of retail sales. Building height would be 35 feet. Pedestrian entries would be from South Main Street and the pedestrian walkway

Design Review Commission March 4, 2009 Minutes Page 3 of 4 within the shopping center. The project would require the demolition of existing buildings totaling 44,000 square feet of floor area and a 41-space parking lot at the site. Design Review approval is contingent on approval of a General Plan Amendment to increase the allowable Floor Area Ratio at the site from 0.75 to 1.75 and a Conditional Use Permit for parking that would include lifts and attendant parking (for employees only) for 175 spaces, both of which are part of a separate permit application by the Macerich Company (Y09-001) that are currently undergoing public review by the Planning Commission. ZONING: Pedestrian Retail. Steven Buckley, Senior Planner, provided a summary of the staff report, describing revisions to the design plans based upon previous Design Review recommendations. Andreas Greke, Architect, described the design plans and the proposed revisions, including a reduction in the corner wall, additional windows along Main Street, reduction in the size of letters on the signage and the tall bamboo along Mt. Diablo Boulevard to be held closer to the wall. The paving and landscaping would remain the same. The Commissioners asked questions of staff and applicant team regarding location of street trees, the Macerich “Broadway Plaza” sign, lack of entry on the corner, and the colored glass. Chuck Davis, representing Macerich, described the current corner “Broadway Plaza” signage and the proposed new sign that would be close to the building. The sign is proposed to be 7.5 feet tall with illuminated back-lit letters on wood. The sign and the Neiman Marcus building are being designed by different designers. The sales floor area continues to be reduced and loading dock area is a very tight space. Clifford Suen, Applicant, noted that there is no entry on the corner due to the triangular property line that goes to the corner and a building entry cannot cross over a property line. He noted that there is a considerable grade change which also causes site design difficulties. Chair Gorny opened the Public Hearing. There following member of the public spoke: Pat Gaffney: In favor of the project; would prefer to have an entry on the corner as Mt. Diablo Boulevard is an important retail corridor; has concerns regarding pedestrian circulation. The Commissioners and applicant team discussed the “Broadway Plaza” signage, including materials, design, quality, finishes, location, interaction with the Neiman Marcus building, and use of banners. Chair Gorny closed the Public Hearing. The Commissioners provided comments as follows: Commissioner Kilian: Ready to forward project to the Planning Commission with a positive recommendation; not pleased with the corner design on Mt. Diablo Boulevard and South Main Street and wants the application brought back to Design Review Commission; appreciates the exterior changes that have been made; felt that the 7 ft. by 10 ft. area was not sufficiently sized for the “Broadway Plaza” signage.

Design Review Commission March 4, 2009 Minutes Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Bhandari: Agreed to send project forward; good job on design except the corner. The glass used in the plans is an old design from the 1950s and suggested that a glazing system would be better; the architecture is old style and not high-end fashion; suggested glass and corner should be reconsidered. Commissioner McDonald: Agreed with a positive recommendation to the Planning Commission; has same concerns as other commissioners such as the lack of a corner entrance and the dated glass. Chair Gorny: Agreed to send project forward to Planning Commission; no entry on corner is fine; likes the rhythm of the glass transparency leading to the mid-block entry, likes architecture; does not believe there is enough space for the “Broadway Plaza” sign as presented. Motion by McDonald, second by Kilian to forward Neiman Marcus Application No.Y08-073 to the Planning Commission and a recommendation to the Art Commission to locate the public art within the scope of the glass fins, with the intent that the project will return for final design and further consideration of the corner wall. Signage was accepted as revised. AYES: McDonald, Kilian, Bhandari, Gorny ABSENT: Lopez 5. COMMISSION CONSIDERATIONS Commissioner Bhandari nominated Joseph Gorny as the new Chairperson and Brian Kilian as the new Vice Chairperson. Both Commissioners accepted the nomination. Commissioner Kilian seconded the motion. AYES: McDonald, Kilian, Bhandari, Gorny ABSENT: Lopez 6. CORRESPONDENCE None 7. STAFF’S BRIEF ANNOUNCMENTS OR BRIEF REPORTS ON HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES Mr. Harriman reported that the City Council reappointed Mark Lopez to the Design Review Commission. 8. COMMISSIONERS’ BRIEF ANNOUNCMENTS OR BRIEF REPORTS ON HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES The Commissioners discussed the possibility of providing automatic extensions when a design review application expires, especially for single family homes. The Commissioners discussed the art element for John Muir Medical Center, as the artist requests no vegetation near the art piece. This issue will be taken to the Art Commission for resolution. 9. ADJOURNMENT Chair Gorny adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. to the next meeting, March 18, 2009. /s/ SCOTT HARRIMAN, Secretary Walnut Creek Design Review Commission Approved 4/1/09