DATE OF MEETING: November 1, 2001

TIME OF MEETING: 4:30 p.m.

PLACE OF MEETING: Cotati City Hall, Conference Room

201 W. Sierra Avenue

Chairman Leys called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

Committee Members Present: LeDoux, Rock, Kagan, Leys

Committee Members Absent: Draper, Davis

Staff Present: Woltering, Voge, Brisbine

A. For the Regular meeting on October 4, 2001

It was moved by Committee Member Kagan to approve the minutes of October 4, 2001, as submitted. Second by Committee Member LeDoux.

Yes: 3 Noes: 0 Absent: 2 (Draper, Davis) Abstain: 1 (Leys)

There were no changes to the agenda.

Assistant Planner Voge presented the staff report. She responded to questions from the Design Review Committee regarding the number of required parking spaces, the percentage of compact spaces allowed, and the relationship between the number of parking spaces and the square footage of the building.

Chairman Leys invited the applicants to make a presentation. Victor Lopes, the project architect, was present but said that he had nothing to add to the staff report.

Victor Zimmerman, the project contractor, provided a scale model of the building for the Committee to review that was painted the actual colors that they intend to use.

Consultant Planner Woltering suggested that the Committee comment on the colors so that the applicant will know if they are on the right track for final design review.

In response to an inquiry from the Committee, Mr. Lopes said that the trash enclosure will be concrete block with a stucco coat finish.

Chairman Leys invited public comment.

Annette Zimmerman commented on the interesting democratic process of the meeting and suggested that it would be interesting for students.

Committee Member LeDoux said that the applicants have responded to the Committee's comments from the last meeting. The 8 ft. 6 in. wide parking spaces should be identified as compact spaces. He suggested that two-feet of back up space be added at the north end of the site between parking spaces 11 & 12 to improve maneuverability. He said that the colors and materials proposed would be fine. The trash enclosure ties in with the remainder of the building. He had no objections to the project.

Vice Chairman Rock agreed with Committee Member LeDoux's comments and said that the plan has been improved since the previous submittal. He also agreed with Committee Member LeDoux's recommendation for vehicle maneuverability at the north end of the site.

Committee Member Kagan said that the areas used for storage should be labeled as unconditioned space. The building, in his opinion, blends into the surrounding area.

Chairman Leys said that the applicant has done a good job addressing the Committee's prior comments. He recommended installation of a concrete curb on either side of the trash enclosure for protection. He also suggested the possibility of adding windows to the mezzanine area in case it is used as office space in the future. They would also help with ventilation throughout the building. The colors, in his opinion, are acceptable although he does not necessarily care for the contrast.

Consultant Planner Woltering suggested that landscape fingers could be added to the sides of the trash enclosure by adjusting the parking space sizes, or at least just on the south side of the trash enclosure.

Chairman Leys initiated discussion on the street trees and suggested that additional trees be added for final design review. Mr. Lopes discussed his plans for the landscaping and showed photographs of adjacent sites. He proposes similar treatments and tree densities.

It was moved by Committee Member LeDoux to grant Preliminary Design Review for a 6,546 square foot light industrial building for storage and offices on a 0.388 acre lot located at 547 Portal Street subject to the conditions of approval as follows:

1. The color of the metal roof shall be a non-glare shade.
2. Site details shall be provided including such items as fencing, trash enclosure, lighting, benches (if any) and bike racks, for Final Design Review.
3. Exterior lighting plans shall be submitted, including illumination that highlights entry points and parking lot areas. No nuisance light spillover or glare onto adjacent properties is permitted.
4. Detailed landscaping and irrigation plans shall be provided for Final Design Review.
5. Proposed signs shall be submitted for Final Design Review approval.
6. A color rendering and materials samples shall be provided at Final Design Review.
7. DELETED. The landscape strip along the east perimeter of the property shall be a minimum of five feet wide.
8. The applicant shall provide a minimum of one bicycle space in a bike rack on site.
9. The handicap accessible parking and loading spaces shall comply with the provisions of ADA for a van accessible parking stall.

ADDED BY DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE:

Committee Member LeDoux amended the motion to include condition #12. Second by Vice Chairman Rock.

Yes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 2 (Draper, Davis) Abstain: 0

Assistant Planner Voge presented the staff report and responded to questions from the Design Review Committee.

Committee Member LeDoux clarified that the second handicap parking space required in condition No. 1, is only required if the building is used by two separate users.

Paul Larsen, the project architect, presented a color rendering of the building, color samples, and material samples.

Vice Chairman Rock questioned the appropriateness of sidewalk next to the roadway along the private roadway. Mr. Smith, the property owner, responded that because Compass Lumber on the next parcel has their fence up to the street, this sidewalk actually goes nowhere. He agreed to plant street trees if required to do so.

There was no public comment.

Committee Member Kagan commented that the applicant has responded well to the Committee's comments and that the project blends in well with the surrounding area.

Vice Chairman Rock said that he liked the plan but would like to see additional street trees to match what surrounding area. He suggested that the green exterior wall color be a shade darker. Mr. Smith responded that he would also prefer a darker green but that the building across from them is red and the colors would conflict.

Committee Member LeDoux said that he liked the project and that the architect did a good job. He liked the varied roof line and the proposed colors. He offered that there is little opportunity to vary shades when building a metal building.

Mr. Smith added that he might want to add some mossy rocks to the landscape plan. Committee Member LeDoux advised Mr. Smith to present any addition to the landscape plan to staff for approval.

Chairman Leys said that the architect did a good job and that this is an excellent building.

Committee Member LeDoux suggested that they include cut-off wall packs to direct light downwards. Also, there will need to be handicap access provided along the public way between the

buildling and the handicap parking space (i.e. striping, appropriate slope, etc.).

It was moved by Committee Member Kagan to approve final design review for a 4,600 square foot industrial building to be constructed on a .63-acre lot located at 321 Blodgett Street subject to the following conditions of approval:

1. If the building is divided for two separate users, the applicant shall provide a minimum of two handicap-accessible parking spaces in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Handicap-accessible parking spaces shall be marked and loading spaces shall be striped according to Exhibit A presented in the staff report from the 1998 California Building Code.
2. The applicant shall install a bike rack on the premises with a minimum capacity of one.
3. The applicant shall submit a sign program for the review and approval of the Design Review Committee.
4. The applicant shall plant a minimum of four street trees, two on each side of the driveway on Blodgett Street, in the park strip. Tree species shall be approved by the Planning Director. All trees planted within the park strip shall be installed with root barriers to protect curbs, streets and sidewalks from potential future damage.

ADDED BY DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE:

5. Ornamental boulders will be allowed subject to staff approval.

6. Cut-off wall packs shall be utilized on the building to direct light downwards.

Second by Vice Chairman Rock.

Yes: 4 Noes: 0 Absent: 2 (Draper, Davis) Abstain: 0

Committee Member LeDoux stepped down from the Committee because of a conflict of interest.

Assistant Planner Voge presented the staff report and reviewed staff's suggested conditions.

Greg LeDoux, the project architect, represented the application and displayed a color rendering of the building. He said that they have added bike racks, said that the Planning Commission approved the sidewalk as proposed, and that he understands the easement issue. He also said that he would be happy to work with the Police Department on lighting.

There was no public comment.

Vice Chairman Rock said that this is a great project.

Committee Member Kagan commented that this project represents a good use of a corner lot with attractive landscaping.

It was moved by Vice Chairman Rock to approve Final Design Review approval for an 8,605 square foot industrial building on a .60 acre site located at 460 Aaron Street subject to the suggested conditions of approval. Second by Committee Member Kagan.

Yes: 3 Noes: 0 Absent: 2 (Draper, Davis) Abstain: 1 (LeDoux)

There were no reports by staff.

Vice Chairman Rock discussed the joint meeting between City Council/Planning Commission/Design Review Committee recently held and asked if there was another one scheduled. Staff agreed to find out if there is another meeting scheduled.

Submitted by:

Kathleen Brisbine

Administrative Secretary