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Home My WebLink AboutDRB 2013-05-07 #4Community Development Department "f,-` MEMORANDUM DATE: May 7, 2013 TO: Design Review Board FROM: Kraig Tambornini, Senior PI ane SUBJECT: Annual Meeting 2013 Follow-up At its December 4, 2012 meeting the Board identified topics that would be worthy of further discussion as part of an annual meeting. Staff agreed to return at the next meeting to report back on these comments. There has been a long gap between meetings, with the first and only meeting of the year occurring last April 3rd, thus staff is just now getting back to the Board with its responses. The Board comments primarily fell within two categories; Le, General House Keeping and Board Purview. I have organized the comments into these two general categories, with response from staff as to how these comments can or would best be addressed. Staff would be interested in any further suggestions, comments or discussion on these or additional related design comments, and will available to elaborate upon its responses or respond to any additional questions. A. General Housekeeping, consisting of recommendations to staff in providing information and reports to the Board Board -member comment DRB Liaison response 1. Revised items. Include or have the architect The DRB liaison has and will incorporate a copy of the prior plans for return items, continue to convey this to Planning so that the Board can compare the before and after Staff. In addition, this will be noted conditions. for potential inclusion into revised submittal requirements. 2. Pursue electronic distribution of materials to the This could be implemented fairly Board and Public easily. Staff may need to application submittal requirements to require submittal of plans electronically. Additional budget may be required if the Board desired additional computer equipment for viewing the documents at the meeting. The simplest method for providing materials to the Board and public in this manner is via the links to the City Meetings and Agendas website. Staff can report out at the meeting as to how this is working out for the City Council. Community Development Department MEMORANDUM 3. Require that all plans include a north area Staff can and should be requiring (reference north) and orient plan elevations this as part of its completeness accordingly, review. Board review as these structures have significant zoning code, which will be forwarded 4. Require important large scale, prominent projects Staff can and should require this as to provide a model or 3D presentation. part of project review, and incorporate this into application submittal requirements. requiring design review. 5. Require mandatory paint outs on important large Staff can include this as a standard scale, prominent projects. condition of project approval. out of the purview of the Board. Board as being reintroduced into 4. Conduct annual meetings moving forward. This has been added to the work program for the DRB liaison, and could be incorporated into the Board procedures (which should be reviewed at the annual meeting). B. Suggestions, consisting of recommendations on changes that should be made to items that require review by the Board. Board -member comment DRB Liaison response 1. Temporary Buildings should be restored to require Staff is working on edits to the Board review as these structures have significant zoning code, which will be forwarded design challenges and impacts, and tend to last a to the Board for its comments. This long time. could be suggested by the Board as an additional review time that should be added back to Chapter 25, as requiring design review. 2. Color changes made in downtown have been taken This could be suggested by the out of the purview of the Board. Board as being reintroduced into Chapter 25, as requiring design review, when the zoning edits are brought forward for its review (expected to occur this summer). 3. Consider regulations for solar panels on rooftops Although the state mandates roof - to assure design integration. mount solar must be permitted, the state allows limited design control to reduce the visual height. This concern could be responded to with new design criteria, suggesting preferred design solutions for retrofits to existing buildings and requiring new buildings to consider adaptability to include solar. Staff also recommends that both the 7_ to Community Development Department `✓ MEMORANDUM Board and Planners pro -actively and consider how a building might be designed to incorporate solar when reviewing new projects. Staff would anticipate seeing more proposed solar as buildings need to comply with stricter green energy regulations. 4. Consider a study of existing small bungalow The Board could consider neighborhoods served by substandard streets with recommending such studies to the regard to limiting the size of additions that can be Planning Commission and City allowed, in order to respond to the parking Council for consideration. The constraints and retain the existing neighborhood Council would need to provide character. direction to the Planning Division to pursue such Planning Studies and add this task and budget to our work plan This would need to be incorporated into existing work plans for programs required to be implemented by current General Plan 2020 policies. Staff does note that in recent years, staffing reductions, especially the recent loss of the long range planning positions, have greatly impacted any new initiatives. 5. Memorialize the intent of encouraging varied The Board has wide purview in architecture, which seems to be potentially at odds determining what is required for a with the design criteria 14.25.040.F Architecture. project to be `harmoniously integrated' with its setting and surrounding architecture. Adoption of a comprehensive set of detailed City design guidelines would provide the additional direction sought by Boardmembers, staff and applicants. As part of the adoption of the General Plan 2002 in 2004, the City adopted interim design guidelines for both residential and on residential development. The concept was that a comprehensive deign guidelines would be prepared after the adoption of the General Plan. Unfortunatly, with the downturn in the economy, staff reductions and other priorities, the formal design guidelines have not yet been completed.