MINUTES for the Regular Meeting of the DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

DATE OF MEETING: October 19, 2000

TIME OF MEETING: 4:30 p.m.

PLACE OF MEETING: Cotati City Hall, Conference Room

201 W. Sierra Avenue

Vice Chairwoman Stagg called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

Committee Members Present: Davis, Draper, Key, Stagg

Committee Members Absent: Petty, Leys, LeDoux

Staff Present: Dorch, Brisbine

A. For the Regular Meeting on September 7, 2000

B. For the Regular Meeting on October 5, 2000

It was moved by Committee Member Key to approve the minutes of September 7, 2000, and October 5, 2000, as submitted. Second by Committee Member Draper.

Yes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 3 (Petty, Leys, LeDoux) Abstain: 0

Director of Planning Dorch reported that an issue requiring Design Review Committee consideration has arisen after preparation of the agenda concerning a building under construction at Apple Valley Plaza. The Committee was requested to consider adding the item to the agenda.

It was moved by Committee Member Key to add the Apple Valley Plaza issue to the agenda. Second by Committee Member Draper.

Yes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 3 (Petty, Leys, LeDoux) Abstain: 0

Director of Planning Dorch presented the staff report and responded to questions from the committee.

Committee Member Key asked about grading and drainage because of wetlands that exist in the vicinity of the parking area and the existing apartments. He recommended that the issue of wetlands be evaluated closely and the Army Corp of Engineers consulted.

Alan Kostelnik, applicant, said that he had nothing to add other than that they are attempting to formalize an existing use of 3-5 years. He stated that he was unaware of any wetland issues.

Director of Planning Dorch advised Mr. Kostelnik that the wetland issue will need to be addressed and suggested that the Design Review Committee could include a condition requiring a wetland delineation.

Mr. Kostelnik, in response to a question from Committee Member Key, said that staff had recommended the asphalt surface because of vehicles parking overnight and the potential for groundwater contamination. Committee Member Key suggested that perhaps the plan could be amended to have asphalt in the parking area, but gravel in the wetland area.

It was moved by Committee Member Key to grant design review approval to the plan subject to the following conditions of approval as amended.

1. The fence shall be six feet in height with no barbed wire.

2. Deleted. The landscaping is expanded to reach the minimum requirement of 20%.

3. Amended. The parking/storage area shall be designed according to city standards approved by the city engineer. The plan shall not include asphalt in excess of what is needed for parking.

4. Added. The wetland area shall be identified and there shall be no improvements to that area without the necessary permits.

5. Added: There shall be no exterior lighting added to the site.

Second by Committee Member Davis.

Yes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 3 (Petty, Leys, LeDoux) Abstain: 0

Committee Member Key said that the proposed landscaping is in the areas most important for public visibility and the property is not being fully developed. It was for these reasons that he did not recommend requiring a full 20% landscaping.

Director of Planning Dorch advised Mr. Kostelnik that a wetland delineation will have to be prepared for the site and said that staff will work with them on how to proceed.

Director of Planning Dorch explained that during a routine building inspection, the City Building Inspector noted a deviation between the approved plans and the actual construction. The problem involves the gable roof over the entry. A copy of the approved elevation was provided to the Committee with an overlay showing the change in roof pitch. The Design Review Committee's comments were requested.

Committee Member Key said that the drawing provided does not accurately depict the actual design and said that a photograph should have been provided. He said that he had visited the site, however, and following a physical inspection found the change to be acceptable and believes that it ties in with the remaining center.

Committee Member Davis said that he did not see the change as being a big issue.

Ken Porter, the builder, was present to discuss the change to the plans. Jerry Tierney, the architect, was also in attendance.

Mr. Porter explained that the change to the roof resulted because of a change from trusses to a stick frame construction. The problem occurred when the building inspector requested new engineering calcs for the change It became evident that there were also design changes from the previously approved plans, primarily with the roof pitch of the gables over the entrances.

Director of Planning Dorch informed the Committee that the original architect for the project, Greg LeDoux, was consulted and that he saw enough of a change in the roof pitch to warrant Design Review Committee review. He was of the opinion that the change was more than he could unilaterally approve.

Committee Member Davis asked Mr. Porter about his intentions to replace trees at the entry and two that are leaning. Mr. Porter was aware of one tree that died during construction and he intends to replace it. He wasn't sure that the others are on his property, but invited Committee Member Davis to visit the site and show him which trees he is concerned about.

It was moved by Committee Member Key to allow the project to proceed as changed. Second by Committee Member Stagg.

Yes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 3 (Petty, Leys, LeDoux) Abstain: 0

Director of Planning Dorch advised Mr. Porter that the revised plan is now eligible for plan check.

There were no reports by staff.

There were no reports from the Committee.

Vice Chairwoman Stagg adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m.

Submitted by:

Kathleen Brisbine, Administrative Secretary