Design Review Commission

WALNUT CREEK DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION June 18, 2008 7:00pm Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall, Council Chamber 1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek COMMISSIONERS: Chair Darcy Kremin Vice Chair Joseph Gorny Brian Kilian Mark Lopez Dorothy McDonald 1. OPENING Roll Call: All Commissioners were present, except Commissioner Mark Lopez 2. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR a. DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION NO. Y07-086. A request to approve a revision to the Ygnacio Plaza Sign Program for Sports Basement retailer located at 1881 Ygnacio Valley Road. ZONING: PD- 1385. Planned Development. Motion by Kilian, second by Gorny to approve the Consent Calendar. AYES: Kilian, Gorny, Kremin, McDonald 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. DESIGN REVIEW/HILLSIDE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/TREE REMOVAL PERMIT APPLICATION NO. Y08—024, 1509 ARBUTUS DRIVE SINGLE FAMILY HOME – REVISED (PUBLIC HEARING). A request for Commission consideration and approval of a revised proposal to construct a 3,581 square foot, one-story home on a sloping, vacant, ¾-acre flag lot. Four trees are proposed for removal including a 12” oak. The site is located at 1509 Arbutus Drive (Lot 99). ZONING R-10 (Single Family Residential) Victoria Walker, Assistant Planning Manager, reported a correction to the draft minutes of 5/21/08. Ann Hinshaw had said that “the codes in general” needed to be amended, and not “the zoning codes” as written in the draft minutes. Ms. Walker noted that the 5/21/08 draft minutes were not being voted on at this time. Commissioner McDonald recused herself from this agenda item as her residence is located within 300 feet of the project site. Kenneth Nodder, Senior Planner, presented the staff report, noting revisions to the proposed plan based on previous Design Review Commission comments. The Commissioners had no questions for Staff. The Commissioners asked questions of Chris Trent, applicant; Christopher Lyons, landscape designer; Bing Young, architect; and Jim Diggins, engineer, with a focus on tree types for screening along the drive aisle, removal of tree #29 and drainage issues.

Design Review Commission June 18, 2008 Minutes Page 2 of 5 Chair Kremin opened the Public Hearing. The following members of the public spoke: Pete Johnson, 1701 Lilac Drive, opposes the project. He does not believe the City’s review process is working as well as it used to. He said the principles of the General Plan have been ignored. He asked if the Design Review Commission is empowered to interpret the General Plan in support of neighborhood compatibility. He also asked how the neighbors could get the project to the Planning Commission or City Council and he asked when the City will update City Ordinances to support the protection of neighborhoods as stated in the General Plan. Tom Sheridan, 1848 Magnolia Way, opposes the project. He discussed the differences between the General Plan and Zoning, referring to the State of California Planning Guide and the Citizen’s Guide to Planning. He read from page 2 of the 5/21/08 staff report and Policy 1.1.1 of the General Plan. Francine Podenski, 1750 Magnolia Way, opposes the project. She read from the General Plan 2025 regarding the preservation of neighborhood character and described the bungalow style homes of the Parkmead neighborhood. She suggested a meeting between the City and the neighborhood to discuss the meaning of “preserving neighborhood character”. Troi Nelson, 1710 Newell Avenue, opposes the project. She referred to page 2 of the staff report regarding compliance to the General Plan. She read portions of the arborist’s comments regarding the removal of tree #29 which she opposes. Tom O’Brien, 1981 Shuey Avenue, opposes the project. He referred to Policy 1.1 and 1.5 of the General Plan regarding protecting and enhancing neighborhood character. Joe Huettl, 1731 Lilac Drive, opposes the project. He said he appreciated working with the applicant on screening between his property and the project site, but still believes the proximity of the project has a big impact on his property. He said a home with 2500 to 3000 square feet would be a better fit. He would like to see the oak tree saved and has concerns regarding the stormwater drainage along the garage side. Sue Chan, 1731 Lilac Drive, opposes the project. She described the homes in the Parkmead area and that the proposed home does not fit in with the neighborhood. She asked about the market value of large homes. Steve Nelson, 1710 Newall Avenue, opposes the project. He does not believe that a 4500 square foot house fits in with the character of the neighborhood. Ann Hinshaw, 179 Arlene Drive, opposes the project. She asked about providing a process that would help identify the distinct and unique characteristics of a neighborhood. Chair Kremin closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Gorny asked for clarification on the story pole that had been installed on site and the height of the proposed house. Mr. Trent clarified that the house is about 3500 square feet with a 626 sq.ft garage and a 453 sq.ft porch. The Commissioners provided comments as follows:

Design Review Commission June 18, 2008 Minutes Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Gorny: There probably should have been eight lots and homes on the site where the other new homes were recently built. He has concerns and had discussions with others regarding the effectiveness of the Oversize Home ordinance as many large homes aren’t reviewed by the Design Review Commission. The outdoor space, drive aisle, trees, design/material, details wrapping the house are all good. House is still too big, but reducing its size will not change the view from the driveway. Saving tree #29 would require moving the house and making it taller. The applicant could have done more to tighten the floor plan of the house. Ms. Walker noted that appeals of the Design Review Commission(or Planning Commission) decisions go to the City Council. Commissioner Kilian supports the project. A smaller house would not change the view up the driveway. It is a well-designed house and fits the lot. The applicant has met what the Design Review Commission requested. Tree #29 is not highly visible, oaks require lots of space and therefore is not opposed to the tree’s removal. When the trees mature, this house will not be noticeable. The original barn structure was larger than any of the new homes. Chair Kremin: supportive of the project. The visual impact won’t change with a smaller home. North landscape and integration of the building into the hillside are good. Commissioner Gorny: Style is different, but architecture is not out of character of the neighborhood. Details could be improved. Motion by Kilian, second by Kremin to approve Design Review Application No. Y08-024 as submitted with modified conditions (1) that drainage is analyzed by the civil engineer to ensure that there is no excessive runoff or additional runoff toward the property to the north, (2) clarification on the drainage on the south side of the easement, coordination with landscape engineer regarding the depth of the pipe, swale and the trees planted in the same area (3) larger trees on the easement, specifically the proposed Myrtle trees at the top to be a larger tree. Ayes: Kilian, Kremin Noes: Gorny Absent: McDonald, Lopez Commissioner McDonald rejoined the Commission meeting. b. DESIGN REVIEW, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW No. Y07-059 – 1432 N. MAIN STREET. STUDY SESSION to review a proposal to demolish and remodel a portion of the existing structure at 1432 N. Main Street and to construct a new permanent outdoor eating space to accommodate a new restaurant. ZONING: Pedestrian Retail (PR) Ethan Bindernagel, Associate Planner, provided a summary of the staff report. Applicant, Brian Hirahara described the historic meat market building and that the proposed plans would restore the building as close to original as possible. He has encouraged the future tenant to use some of the older items from the historic building in their interior design.

Design Review Commission June 18, 2008 Minutes Page 4 of 5 The Commissioners asked questions of staff and applicant with a focus on the landscaping to soften the wall next to the easement, and the design of the outdoor dining area. Chair Kremin opened the Public Hearing. Primo Facchini, President of the Walnut Creek Historical Society, stated that the oak tree will not be damaged by this project. The Society approves the plans as the applicant is preserving the historical building. The Commissioners commented on the project as follows: Ms. Walker noted that Mr. Hirahara has also worked with a historic architect to assist in maintaining the character of the building. Commissioner McDonald: supportive, it is interesting and classy. Suggested a roof garden to have vines growing over the addition edge adjacent to the driveway, but is okay with no additional landscaping. Commissioner Gorny: Is concerned that vehicles will back out of parking spaces and hit the building. Site plan is nice, would like to see the interaction between the inside and outside. Proportions will be critical to the detailing. Commissioner Kilian: supportive of project, likes the use of high-quality materials, would like larger window and door openings for interaction between inside and outside. A minimum of two feet of dirt area would allow for shrub growth, may not be worth trying for landscaping. Chair Kremin: Fantastic design and likes the saving the older building. Likes the blade sign. It would be difficult to add landscaping. Applicant, Brian Hirahara, noted that after meeting with the historic architect and structural engineer it was found that to install additional openings in the wall would be detrimental to the structural integrity of the building. He said that there would be upgrading of the public space by installation of City standard pavers into the sidewalk. Commissioner Gorny left the meeting at this time. 5. COMMISSION CONSIDERATIONS None 6. CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Walker commented that the Commissioners should have received a notice regarding the Ethics Training. 7. STAFF’S BRIEF ANNOUNCMENTS OR BRIEF REPORTS ON HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES None 8. COMMISSIONERS’ BRIEF ANNOUNCMENTS OR BRIEF REPORTS ON HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES None

Design Review Commission June 18, 2008 Minutes Page 5 of 5 9. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kremin adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m. to the next meeting, July 2, 2008. ____________________________________ VICTORIA WALKER, Secretary, Walnut Creek Design Review Commission Approved 8/6/08