MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE LANCASTER ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN COMMISSION September 6, 2018 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sheldon Carter called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner McDonald. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chairman Carter, Commissioners Chant, Donovan, McDonald, and Tufts April Bartlett. Also present were Community Development Manager (Larissa De La Cruz), Principal Planner (Jocelyn Swain), Associate Planner (Brenda Magaña), and Recording Secretary (Ashley Holler). There were 15 people in the audience. PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Tufts made a motion and Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion to approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of August 2, 2018. The motion carried with the following vote: (4-0-1-1) AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Chant, Donovan, McDonald, and Tufts. Carter. Bartlett.
CONTINUED BUSINESS 2. DIRECTOR S REVIEW NO. 18-39 Associate Planner Brenda Magaña presented the staff report and mentioned that on August 2, 2018, the ADC reviewed this project and provided feedback, and since then, provided additional written comments via email for the applicant to address. She mentioned that she provided that information to the applicant and their team. Ron Mertzel, Vice President for Planning with KB Homes, greeted the Commission and thanked them for the feedback they provided, which they had incorporated into their designs. He also introduced their Project Manager, Rob Gomez. Rob Gomez informed the ADC of all the architectural and enhanced elevation changes made to all five plans according to the feedback received. He made himself available for any questions. Speaker 1 David Paul: He commended the ADC Commission and strongly supported the KB project and added he hopes the changes implemented did not increase the prices too much. Commissioner Donovan stated Mr. Paul forgot to thank Staff, as they work really hard. She had a couple of questions and concerns. She requested clarification as to what an outlooker, was Ron Mertzel replied that it was a wood bracket at the upper part of a gable. She mentioned she wanted to see windows incorporated into the garage doors. She discussed on the arches, awnings of the plans. Commissioner Chant stated he believed everything should remain the same. Commissioner McDonald commended KB for making all the majority of the suggested changes. She mentioned her concern was the pricing for the first time homebuyer. She mentioned as Commissioners, their responsibility is about the exterior of the properties, not the inside, it was about the beauty and architectural design. To please take consideration of the first-time homebuyer. Commissioner Tufts asked about the site plans being available to Staff to differentiate the different plot plans. Commissioner Tufts asked about the staggering of the homes on the street, and the porch sizes, and about a pop-out garage; Community Development Manager, Larissa De La Cruz replied they were in compliance. Commissioner Tufts inquired about the porch dimensions. Brenda Magana pointed out the dimensions were included in the plans included in their packets and wanted to confirm they were on the same page. Chairman Carter thanked KB for all the changes they made, and he wanted them to keep in mind their job was to have the architectural design guidelines. He thanked them for listening to what the Commission had to say. Commissioner Donovan made a motion and Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion with the added modifications. The motion carried with the vote (5-0-0-1). AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Carter, Chant, Donovan, McDonald, and Tufts. Bartlett. Page 2
NEW BUSINESS 3. Preview and Discussion of Elevations for Richmond American Homes Director s Review 18-47 Larissa De La Cruz mentioned she wanted to present the process more so than give a staff report. She explained what the process was the preview for the concept for feedback and dialogue between the Commission and the applicant. Any comments and/or recommendations the applicant can be guided and taken back to incorporate for their submittal. Project Manager Tommy Eckes with Richmond American Homes mentioned the location and said it was previously approved for construction in 2005, but due to how the market tanked, and the original developer only got to build thirteen houses. He mentioned it was a unique project because there was already an existing neighborhood and existing chemistry there. He mentioned they were targeting first-time homebuyers; they are providing a series of six-floor plans with five elevations, three-floor plans will be two-story products and three-floor plans will be single-story products. He said they range in size from thirty-five to forty-five foot-wide. He informed the Commission that they did put in their first submittal and they received the comments and had a nice talk addressing the comments as to what the expectations are from both sides, which he thought was very beneficial. He mentioned their goal was to get feedback from the Commission to prepare a concise, complete packet to submit. Gary Cunningham, Architect, gave a preliminary overview of the product types. He presented products - Spanish, Traditional, Craftsman, Italian A, California Prairie, and he mentioned each plan will be available for plotting. He mentioned this product was preliminary; they had all the community guidelines, residential guidelines, and zoning codes. He presented different styles of homes; the use of brick and stone and the various elevations, styles and options such windows in garages, and roof tiles. He informed there would be a blend of porches and covered entrances, it would be cohesive and blend through. Gary Cunningham proposed a collage of styles with landscaping, garages accented with windows/window grids and trims as optional. He informed of the material considered such as clay outlooker, horizontal siding, gable, brick or stone using per particular styles. Larissa De La Cruz informed the material page was part of the presentation packet distributed to the Commission, and they could follow along with his presentation. He mentioned color swatches were not included but will be when they present it to Council. He proceeded to inform about the Spanish elevations and how there were various Spanish styles such as Spanish Onyx, Collective, and Santa Barbara. He mentioned they may offer decorative tile at the entry. There was discussion between Mr. Cunningham and the Commissioners regarding the rear elevation and Commissioner Chant mentioned how they were specifically looking for the 360 architecture requirement as it applied, especially at the location of their proposed project. Gary Cunningham mentioned they would keep that in mind. Commissioner Tufts mentioned the additional garage becoming more than fifty percent (50%). Gary Cunningham replied it would be an option, and it needed to be discussed to be in compliance in order for the math to work. Chairman Carter said staff would advise. Commissioner Donovan said there were some things that could be done according to the design guidelines regarding the garages. Commissioner McDonald Page 3
said the area was already beautiful, and with the two and three garage options, they were on the right track. Commissioner Tufts inquired about the thirty-inch overhead, solar energy consumption, and porches. Gary Cunningham mentioned variety helped with the overhead pitches and styles. Regarding the porches, he would like for the variety so no all properties looked alike. There was discussion about the pricing, which Tommy Eckes informed it would be between the mid-three-hundred thousands to the mid-four-hundred thousands. Commissioner Donovan inquired whether the three-car garage would have an option for living space. Mr. Eckes replied that they were looking for storage space, or possibly RV parking with a nice electrical gate hook-up. Chairman Carter inquired about the side measurements, which were within the guidelines. Commissioner McDonald said although as the Architect and Design Commission looks for the exterior beauty, all the items mentioned would add more, and appreciated the information. Commissioners Donovan and Chant mentioned the fifty-foot linear and the articulation so it would not be a flat wall; to which, it was proposed for the master bedroom, kitchen or dining to be bumped out by 12-feet, as it would help. Commissioner Donovan also mentioned that she would like to see a comparable product to the Ana Verde homes, along the street and backs to be as articulated. Gary Cunningham presented the projections. Chairman Carter told him that Commissioner Donovan basically gave him the model to follow. Commissioner Donovan spoke on the topic of windows on the garage. Gary Cunningham said that many homebuyers opt not to get them due to heat and security reasons, but could be provided as an option. He mentioned he would like the entry to be the focal and mentioned the possibilities of using brick for it to stand out, along with window and shutters. There was discussion regarding the two-story elements and various ways options for the styles. Commissioner McDonald inquired about solar panels located not too far from the location of the project, and whether the roofs would be capable to sustain the heat and weight. Gary Cunningham replied they can carry 2.5 Lbs. (pounds) per square foot of the load. Roofs were cooler with solar panels as they absorbed the heat and would deflect it. He mentioned with the new California energy codes, and the process it is cooler, the attic is still hot, but with the fan pulling outside and pushing in the cool air, it significantly cools down the attic. He explained that ever since Swartzeneger in 2017, the bar had been raised on the energy code, and every year, something is added. Commissioner Donovan and Gary Cunningham discussed on which types of panels were used on top of the roof and if there were batteries. It was mentioned that technology has come a long way, but no batteries as of yet. He further replied to Commissioner McDonald on the direction and effectiveness of the facing of the solar panels, and which way would be best. He informed that if houses had stucco, they would keep collecting heat, but the installation of the wall requirements would take that heat away with other measures that would involve the type of windows and materials used. He concluded that the homeowners would have options. Commissioner Chant inquired as to whether the shutters accompanying the window would be included, or the awnings. The reply was it was optional. Gary Cunningham thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present their project and for their feedback and comments in order to be proactive in their presentation for approval. Commissioner Carter said it was very beneficial for him and truly appreciated all the information. Tommy Eckes inquired as to the Commission s thoughts on driveways, and whether Hollywood driveways were preferred vs. strips. Chairman Carter mentioned staff would advise them on the guidelines accordingly. There was mention as to the preference of more or less concrete, and Commissioner Donovan said she liked more rather than less, whereas Chairman Carter came from Page 4
yards that were zero-scaped and preferred less, which meant less water. Commissioner Chant mentioned the opportunity of a Hollywood drive-way providing a better fit for the RV s. Gary Cunningham mentioned he liked variety and mentioned he would like to be able to have two-thirds of the properties to have porches. Larissa De La Cruz mentioned they would, in fact, discuss and recommend according to the guidelines on the subject. As there were no speakers or public business Commissioner Carter moved to the next item on the agenda, which was the adjournment. PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS COMMISSION AGENDA ADJOURNMENT This meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m., to the Regular Meeting on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., in the Lancaster City Hall Council Chambers. ATTEST: APRIL BARTLETT, Vice Chair Lancaster Architectural and Design Commission SANDRA RAMIREZ, Recording Secretary City of Lancaster Page 5