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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC_2016-06-07_AgendaPacket http://www.facebook.com/planningatascadero @atownplanning Scan This QR Code with your smartphone to view DRC Website CITY OF ATASCADERO DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA Committee Meeting Tuesday, June 7, 2016 2:00 P.M. City Hall 6500 Palma Avenue Atascadero, California CALL TO ORDER Roll Call: Chairperson Bob Kelley Committee Member Duane Anderson Committee Member Mark Dariz Committee Member Roberta Fonzi Committee Member Jamie Kirk APPROVAL OF AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT CONSENT CALENDAR None City of Atascadero Design Review Committee Agenda Regular Meeting, June 7, 2016 Page 2 of 2 http://www.facebook.com/planningatascadero @atownplanning Scan This QR Code with your smartphone to view DRC Website DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW 1. PLN 2016-1596, NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 7300 EL CAMINO REAL (OLD COCO’S SITE) COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS DIRECTOR’S REPORT ADJOURNMENT The next DRC meeting will be announced. Agendas, Minutes and Staff Reports are available online at www.atascadero.org under City Officials & Commissions, Design Review Committee. Property Owner/Applicant: Timmons Calstate LLC, c/o Joel & Priscilla Brown Family LTD PTP, 2200 Faraday Ave. #250, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Applicant: Richard Hofmeister, Dynamic Development Company, 1725 21st St., Santa Monica, CA 90404 Project Title: PLN 2016-1596 / DRC 2016-0087 Project Location: 7300 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 (APN 030-222-048) San Luis Obispo County Project Description: New 8635 sq. ft. commercial building. Includes 3650 sq. ft. Urgent Care (Med Post) and up to 3 retail/restaurant spaces (1,300 - 2,200 sq. ft. each.) Includes demolition of existing vacant restaurant (previously Coco’s) Zoning District: Commercial Service (CS) General Plan Designation: Service Commercial (SC) City Staff: Callie Taylor, Sr. Planner, ctaylor@atascadero.org, Phone: 805-470-3448 Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends DRC provide direction regarding potential modifications to site layout and architectural elevations as recommended by City staff. ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Atascadero Design Review Committee Report In Brief - Community Development Department Callie Taylor, Senior Planner, 470-3448, ctaylor@atascadero.org PLN 2016-1596 / DRC 2016-0087 New Commercial Building 7300 El Camino Real (Dynamic Development Company) Property Owner: Timmons Calstate LLC In care of: Joel & Priscilla Brown Family LTD PTP Address: 7300 El Camino Real APN: 030-222-048 General Plan: Service Commercial (SC) Zoning: Commercial Service (CS) Project Area: 0.86 acres Existing Use: Vacant restaurant building (formerly Coco’s Restaurant) Proposed: New 8635 sq. ft. commercial building Includes 3650 sq. ft. Urgent Care (Med Post) and up to 3 retail/restaurant spaces (1,300 - 2,200 sq. ft. each) Recommendation: Staff recommends DRC provide direction regarding potential modifications to site layout and architectural elevations as recommended by City staff. Background: The subject site is located between El Camino Real and Highway 101. The existing building was previously occupied by Coco’s Restaurant, but has been vacant since December 2015. The applicant has submitted a proposal to demolish the existing restaurant building and construct a new commercial development. Conceptual site plan and building elevations ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 have been submitted for DRC review. The proposal is for a new 8635 sq. ft. commercial building, which would include an Urgent Care center (Med Post) and up to 3 retail/restaurant spaces (1,300 - 2,200 sq. ft. each.) Evaluation: 1. Site Planning Proposed site design includes one building with multiple tenants located adjacent to Highway 101 at the back of the site. Parking would be provided along El Camino Real and on both sides of the new building. Conceptual Site Plan – Submitted by Applicant Staff has concerns that by setting the building back on the site, the building will not have a street presence along El Camino Real and could feel like the typical strip mall or convenience center layout. Another concern with the Highway 101 proximity is that it creates a dead zone behind the building. Walkways are located behind th e building ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 where landscape is required. This area will be difficult to monitor as it is not visible from the rest of the site. Historically, the City has had problems with trash and storage accumulation and banner signs when buildings are placed at this close proximity to Highway 101. The size of the retail and restaurant lease spaces is another potential concern. The recent El Camino Real Corridor Study identified an abundance of very small vacant retail spaces below 2,000 square feet. Larger retail spaces along the corridor are currently being leased out, while these smaller spaces remain vacant or have high turnover. Staff recommends one larger restaurant space with outdoor patio seating rather than several small lease spaces. The following are some options to increase street presence on El Camino Real:  Encourage building(s) to be placed closer to El Camino Real street edge  Consider separating the development into 2 separate structures (one with street presence, one with Highway 101 visibility)  Increase the size of outdoor seating & patio area for the restaurant space and include outdoor dining between restaurant pad and El Camino Real.  Potentially eliminate the small retail spaces  Allow parking reduction for shared uses on site  Landscape setback along Highway 101 must include a full 10 feet of landscape width, including trees and shrubs.  Include additional landscape and outdoor features adjacent to building(s)  Include decorative concrete or pavers at driveway entrance Potential Alternative Site Layout Restaurant space (2,000-4,000 sf) Urgent Care 3,650 sf Trash El Camino Real Ramp Patio ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 2. Architectural Design / Elevations The conceptual elevations which have been submitted reflect a modern design aesthetic. The linear elevation is broken up with pop outs and varying materials and colors. Materials include gray and white stone, stucco, and metal. Architectural accents include a louver system and glass railings. Proposed Front elevation: Facing El Camino Real Proposed Rear Elevation: Facing Highway 101 Staff is concerned that the modern architectural style proposed does not relate to the surrounding buildings on in the commercial corridor. While the elevations are broken up with varying materials and heights, the flat roof and large spans of flat walls do not create the desired design aesthetic described by the City’s appearance review manual. While it is clear that there is no one definitive “style” of architecture for Atascadero, there are key elements which are consistent with the majority of buildings, and a level of architectural detailing which is preferred. Modern buildings are rare in Atascadero, and are often difficult to execute and blend with the surrounding styles. A lack of architectural details can appear flat and uninteresting, instead of sleek and modern. ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Over the past several decades, architectural styles in Atascadero have been predominantly mission or Italianate in style, and almost always include tile roofs and either brick or stone. If we look back further, it seems that the Colony architectural style constructed in the 1920’s has the most classic Atascadero feel. We can take design themes from what Atascadero’s historic commercial district began as 100 years ago. This classic Colony theme is echoed in the City’s wayfinding signage program, and incorporated into infrastructure and streetscapes such as the Atascadero Creek Bridge, streetscape improvements downtown, and the HWY 101/41 interchange. Example photos are included in Attachment 3 of this report. Many of these early examples included brick exterior along with tile roofs. Atascadero is currently seeing an increase in new buildings and major commercial remodels. It is important that with each new development, we focus on how the buildings relate to each other and blend to create a desired streetscape along our commercial corridors. Each new building or façade remodel is an opportunity to further define the City’s unique style and create a cohesive business district. City staff recommends the architectural style of the proposed development be revised to reference local historical styles. This could be accomplished by some of the following:  More emphasis on entry features and storefronts  Transom windows along with traditional recessed entries.  Include tower elements and/or appearance of second story to add stronger variation of height (horizontal banding and clerestory windows)  Banks of windows  Wide roof eaves  Sloped roof lines where it would blend with architectural massing and enhance building (eliminate flat roof) and incorporate tile roof elements  Additional architectural details including horizontal banding, well-defined rooflines, cornices and parapets, window trim, etc.  Wood trellises, eave brackets, wood timbers, and other ornamental additions  Fabric awnings & use of iron accents  Building base to use accent material, architectural detail or masonry feature  Decorative tiles around windows and doorways  Architectural enhancements on rear and side of building (avoid large blank walls)  Use of natural materials, including brick or stone  Incorporate decorative lighting on building & throughout site ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Conclusion: The proposed urgent care center and restaurant uses are compatible with zoning and surrounding commercial uses. Staff is in full support of the demolition of the existing outdated structure on the site. The new commercial development is an excellent opportunity to reutilize the site. Further discussion with the DRC is needed to ensure that the site design and architectural style are in line with the vision for Atascadero’s commercial district, and are in compliance with the City’s adopted Appearance Review standards. Attachments: Attachment 1: Proposed Conceptual Plans (Elevations and Site Plans) Attachment 2: Site photos Attachment 3: Examples of Atascadero Buildings & Colony Architectural Style ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Attachment 1: Proposed Conceptual Plans (Elevations and Site Plans) PLN 2016-1596 / DRC 2016-0087 7300 El Camino Real ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Attachment 2: Site photos PLN 2016-1596 / DRC 2016-0087 7300 El Camino Real ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Attachment 3: Examples Atascadero Buildings & Colony Style PLN 2016-1596 / DRC 2016-0087 Original Post Office Building, 1924 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Bakery Building, 1924 Doran Building, 1925 ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Carlton Hotel ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Streetscape Design ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Colony Square, constructed 2010, 6917 El Camino Real ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Colony Square, Phase II, 6917 El Camino Real ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Moresco Plaza, Morro Rd. ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Office Building, Morro Rd. ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 La Plaza, Downtown ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 6-7-16 Rite Aid Shopping Center