HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.20140819Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission August 19, 2014
LJ Erspamer, Chair, called the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting to order at 4:30 PM with
members Stan Gibbs, Jasmine Tygre and Brian McNellis.
Also present from City staff; James R True, Jennifer Phelan, Sara Nadolny.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Mr. Erspamer and Mr. McNellis attended the recent State of the Valley presentation and both found it
very interesting.
Ms. Tygre had friends visiting here recently from Marin County and St. Thomas that had never been
before and they couldn’t believe how crowded it was here. She wanted to comment on the trend
subgrade planters. In addition to the pits at the Gondola Plaza, the Art Museum also has plantings below
the street level. Is this a new architecture trend? Mr. McNellis sated he did a double take on the ones up
by the Gondola. Ms. Phelan state a lot or right of way approvals for the Art Museum included the
sunken areas for storm water. Ms. Tygre is concerned people will fall into the pits. Ms. Phelan stated it
might be something to raise to Engineering. Mr. True stated the city is planning to add railings to the pits
near Gondola Plaza.
STAFF COMMENTS:
In regards to the Sky Hotel, Ms. Phelan stated there were some mineral rights and the notice was not
completed in time. So the Sky Hotel has been rescheduled for September, 2014. Mineral rights notices
are longer than the typical 15 days.
Ms. Phelan also informed the commissioners Jason’s wife was accepted for graduate school in Boston.
He will be commuting back and forth and will remain an alternate.
Ms. Tygre asked if there would be a new member joining the commission. Ms. Phelan stated there was
an ad in the paper recently. Ms. Klob stated we had not received any applications as of yet. Mr.
Erspamer noted the city of Encinitas pays their commissioners $50 per meeting. Mr. True stated a
similar change here would require a land use code amendment. Multiple commissioners noted it may be
beneficial to compensate commissioners.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no comments.
MINUTES:
There were no minutes.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None were declared.
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Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission August 19, 2014
Public Hearing – 620 E. Hyman Ave. – Commercial Design Review
Mr. Erspamer opened the public hearing for a variance request for 620 E. Hyman for a commercial
design review.
Ms. Sara Nadolny, Planner Technician for the Community Development Department, opened by
entering the public notice as Exhibit F.
Ms. Nadolny stated this is a public hearing for the final commercial design review for the building
located at 620 E. Hyman Ave. P&Z is the final review authority. This is a mixed use building located in the
Commercial (C-1) zoned district. It is located across from the Aspen Art Museum. Some of the
businesses in the building include La Hostaria, Pure Barre, and Aspen Real Estate Company.
The applicant is proposing some changes to the exterior street facing façade. Specifically, looking to
remove the existing white colored diagonal wood siding and trim and replace it with a dark colored
ceramic tile and steel C-channel trim. They will be maintaining the light colored exposed concrete
portion. This is before the commission today because these changes represent more than a minimal
impact on the building aesthetics, therefore it cannot be reviewed administratively.
Ms. Nadolny noted the applicant previously received an administrative approval to replace the second
floor railing on the eastern side with glass so it matches the railing on the western side of the building.
Replacing the upper story awnings were also part of this approval.
Ms. Nadolny continued by discussing the criteria for the commercial design review. It is based on public
amenities, space and utility, delivery and trash service provisions. It’s a criteria that assumes a greater
redevelopment than this project currently is proposing. There are no changes to the existing public
amenities or portion of the building that would warrant a change to the current plans and services.
Ms. Nadolny stated the more relevant standards are those found in the commercial design review
guidelines for the commercial character area as shown in Exhibit D of the memo. The variation of the
proposed materials will serve to break up the front façade of the building. The colors provide a greater
sense of articulation that currently exists with a single color tone. The building materials can fade, the
range of quality and durability of materials used traditionally throughout the city reflect a bit more
modern design.
Staff feels the proposed changes will give the building more presence and provide an appropriate visual
relationship with the surrounding development such as the Art Museum, Muse and Crandall buildings.
In conclusion, staff supports the applicant’s request for changes in the buildings materials as proposed.
Mr. Erspamer asked the commissioner’s for any questions of staff.
There were no questions.
Mr. Erspamer turned the floor over to the applicant.
Ms. Kim Raymond of Kim Raymond Architects thanked the commissioners for their time. She brought in
the samples of the materials for review showing the color and look of the materials. She demonstrated
on the slide where the materials would be provided. She noted the signage for the businesses would
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Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission August 19, 2014
remain the same. The new materials are maintenance free. She also pointed out the already approved
awnings and railings.
Mr. Erspamer asked if there were any questions for the applicant.
Mr. Erspamer asked if the designs changes took drainage from rain into account. Ms. Raymond replied
the drainage systems will remains as the currently exist. She noted the awnings are very similar to those
on Koch Lumber.
Mr. Erspamer opened and closed for public comment.
Mr. Erspamer asked for any rebuttal. There were no rebuttals.
Ms. Tygre moved to approve Resolution #13 in series 2014 approving the final commercial design review
for the project at 620 E. Hyman Ave. Mr. Gibbs seconded.
Mr. Erspamer opened for discussion.
Ms. Tygre stated this is the second project we have seen that is kind of a face lift for an older building
with no increase in dimensions. It makes the building look better and she would love to see more of this.
Roll call vote; Mr. McNellis, yes; Ms. Tygre, yes; Mr. Gibbs, yes; Mr. Erspamer, yes. Motion carried with a
count of yes-4 and no-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Cindy Klob
City Clerk’s Office, Records Manager
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