Design Review Commission

WALNUT CREEK DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION March 5, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes 7:00 pm COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Mark Lopez Vice Chair Darcy Kremin Brian Kilian Joseph Gorny Dorothy McDonald COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Walker, Assistant Planning Manager Deborah Han, Associate Planner Scott Wikstrom, Senior Engineer OPENING Chair Lopez called the Design Review Commission meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall. Chair Lopez acknowledged new Commissioner, Dorothy McDonald and welcomed back reappointed Commissioner Kilian. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve minutes of January 16, 2008 MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Kremin , seconded by Commissioner Kilian to approve the minutes of January 16, 2008. AYES: Kremin, Kilian, Gorny, McDonald NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Lopez MOTION PASSED b. Approve minutes of February 6, 2008 MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Kremin, seconded by Commissioner Kilian to approve the minutes of February 6, 2008. AYES: Kremin, Kilian, Gorny, Lopez, McDonald

Design Review Commission March 5, 2008 Minutes Page 2 of 5 NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSED PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION NO. Y08-013 HARMONY PARK RESIDENTIAL AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN. PRELIMINARY REVIEW for revised design and landscaping plans for an approved seven-lot residential subdivision at 90 Harmony Lane. ZONING: PD, Planned Development (2048). Deborah Han provided a summary of the staff report and noted the revisions made since the Design Review Commission meeting in 2005. She said that this hearing was a study session. Ms. Walker said that there were trees that were removed without permits and asked where they had been located. Ms. Han said the eucalyptus trees had been in the rear of Lots 1 and 2. COMMISSION QUESTIONS The Commissioners asked preliminary questions of staff. R.J. Wilson, Delco Builders, applicant, presented the project. Mr. Wilson introduced Rick Stover, landscape architect for the project. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stover responded to Commissioner questions. Chair Lopez opened the Public Hearing. PUBLIC HEARING Richard Dahlke, 25 Harmony Lane, asked why the name of the project was changed from Carlos Place to Harmony Park. He said he opposed installing a gate on lot 6 that would give pedestrian access to Harmony Lane which is a private road. He asked about the planned hammerhead at the end of Harmony Lane and stated that there should be trees and plantings in that area. Ms. Han stated that the hammerhead being installed belongs to the project site, but is a benefit for the Harmony Lane neighbors to provide a turn around for vehicles. Jon Wylie, 35 Harmony Lane, stated that he agrees with the concerns of Mr. Dahlke. He stated that the former project plan had houses that were one and a half stories high. He said the current plan shows two-story houses that are not as tall, but still very massive. Ms. Han noted that the height of the houses in the previous plan was 29 feet and the current plan has the houses from 21 to 27 feet. She said that the new house designs cover more land area and are relocated on the lots, so may be more visible to the neighbor.

Design Review Commission March 5, 2008 Minutes Page 3 of 5 Bruce Faber, 40 Harmony Lane, stated that he opposes foot traffic from the project’s homes coming down Harmony Lane. John French, co-owner of the project site, stated that the asphalt from the existing driveway at 90 Harmony Lane is being removed. He said he believes that Central Sanitary District is requiring the gate as there is an easement at that location. He noted that there will be a lot line adjustment, so that the hammerhead land would be owned by the two property owners adjacent to it. He said he was agreeable to planting one or two redwoods on this piece of land. Chair Lopez closed the Public Hearing. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Gorny: Supported the gate location and noted that the taller gate arch was fine. The former architecture and garage design was better than the current design. The front porches are not large enough to be usable. The houses don’t fit their sites and the gables don’t relate to the rest of the house. The lot line changes are okay. The proposed house height is acceptable with better design. He does not support the architectural changes. Commissioner Kilian: The new architecture is okay, but the houses need to be situated better on the lots. The lot line changes are okay and the landscaping is good. It is not a good idea to have people cutting through Lot 6 to access the gate. He supports the project, but the details need refining. Commissioner Kremin: The former plan was better suited to the site and would like to see the back doors facing usable backyards. She supports pedestrian access through the gate to Harmony Lane. Commissioner McDonald: The first plan was better suited to family usage. She does not support the installation of a gate. Ms. Walker noted that the project site has legal access to Harmony Lane and it is not within the authority of the Design Review Commission to deny legal access rights. Chair Lopez: The plans are not to the quality of the former plan. The colors on the color board were too bold for the neighborhood and need to be toned down. COMMISSION CONSIDERATIONS a. Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2008 MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Gorny, seconded by Chair Lopez to elect Vice Chair Kremin as the new Chair Person. AYES: Gorny, Lopez, Kilian, McDonald NOES: Kremin ABSENT: None

Design Review Commission March 5, 2008 Minutes Page 4 of 5 ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSED MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Kilian, seconded by Commissioner Kremin to elect Commissioner Gorny as the new Vice Chair Person. AYES: Kilian, Kremin, Lopez, Gorny, McDonald NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSED b. Appointment of Design Review Subcommittee and Sign Subcommittee members. Commissioners discussed the two standing subcommittees, the Sign Subcommittee and the Design Review Subcommittee. The Commissioners agreed that Commissioners Kremin and Lopez would sit on the Sign Subcommittee and Commissioners Gorny and Kilian would sit on the Design Review Subcommittee. Commissioner Kilian stated that he would sit on the subcommittee for three months until Commissioner McDonald is ready to join the Design Review Subcommittee. Ms. Walker described the special subcommittees for Commissioner McDonald. The Commissioners agreed that Commissioners McDonald and Lopez would sit on the subcommittee for the Mercer project; Commissioners Gorny and McDonald would sit on the subcommittee for the Urban Outfitters project; and Commissioners Kilian and Kremin would continue to sit on the subcommittee for John Muir Medical Center. CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Walker reminded the Commissioners about the Planners Institute conference to be held in Sacramento. She noted that Commissioners Gorny and Lopez would be attending. Ms. Walker stated that the Commissioners should have received an email message from the City Clerk regarding security training. STAFF’S BRIEF ANNOUNCMENTS OR BRIEF REPORTS ON HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES It was announced that the Commissioners’ economic forms are due April 1, 2008. COMMISSIONERS’ BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS OR BRIEF REORTS ON HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES Chair Lopez commented that the Mayor’s breakfast would be Friday, March 7, 2008 and neither he nor Vice Chair Kremin could attend. Commissioner Gorny volunteered to attend.

Design Review Commission March 5, 2008 Minutes Page 5 of 5 Primo Facchini suggested Ms. Walker give a summary of the City Council meeting. Ms. Walker noted that the Walden Park subdivision project was approved. She said that there were a lot of comments at the City Council study session on the Locust Street Precise Plan. She said that most comments were positive. Ms. Walker said that the Lincoln/Creekside project would be going to the Planning Commission and the Almond Condos were being redesigned. Commissioner McDonald noted that she would be absent from the March 19, 2008 meeting. Chair Lopez adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. to the next meeting, March 19, 2008. /s/ VICTORIA WALKER, Secretary, Walnut Creek Design Review Commission Approved 7/2/08