DATE OF MEETING: April 5, 2001

TIME OF MEETING: 4:30 p.m.

PLACE OF MEETING: Cotati City Hall, Conference Room

201 W. Sierra Avenue

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

Committee Members Present: Davis, LeDoux, Key, Draper, Stagg

Committee Members Absent: Leys, Petty

Staff Present: Woltering, Brisbine

There were no changes to the agenda.

Consultant Planner Woltering presented the staff report and reviewed changes to the plans to address comments from the September 7 meeting. Three alternative elevations were presented by the applicant, of which staff recommended option #2.

There were no questions from the Committee.

Chairwoman Stagg invited the applicant to make a presentation.

Al Diiorio, Avila Architects, represented the application. He said that one change to the plan was to eliminate the park strip along Portal Street that is consistent with surrounding properties. He stated a preference for either option #1 or option #2 because the roof designs blend in with the area.

In response to an inquiry from Committee Member Key regarding the park strip issue, Consultant Planner Woltering said that to the east is the Proflame facility without a park strip; across Portal Street from this site is sidewalk without park strip; and to the west is vacant land. He suggested continuing with the sidewalk treatment that exists in the area, although otherwise park strip would be desirable.

Committee Member Davis stated a preference for option #1, but said he would actually defer to the architect members on that issue. Regarding the landscape plan, he said it looks good and that the Committee's suggestions were addressed.

In response to a question from Committee Member Davis, Mr. Diiorio said that the area along the west side of the property would probably only be used for mechanical equipment.

Committee Member Davis suggested minimal landscaping in that area because any future development of the adjacent property will deem landscaping in that area useless.

Committee Member Draper stated a preference for either the third or current submittal, but also deferred to the architect members on that issue.

Committee Member LeDoux stated a preference for option #1. He suggested, however, that the angles at the corners of the office be squared off.

Committee Member Key agreed with the preference for option #1, but liked the angles. He did recommend, however, removing the downspouts along the fascia and instead providing an internal system.

Chairwoman Stagg agreed with the preference for option #1.

In response to an inquiry from the Committee, Mr. Diiorio said that they propose a chain link fence with slats along the perimeter of the property.

Consultant Planner Woltering pointed out that the zoning ordinance requires a solid fence along the northerly property line abutting the laguna. He suggested that the applicant work with staff.

Committee Member Key stated his opinion that there is sufficient setback from the laguna so that a solid fence would not be necessary. Committee Member LeDoux agreed and pointed out that there are no other solid fences in the area.

Committee Member Draper said that although existing fences on properties abutting the laguna do not match, she made a point of stating her preference for matching fences along the laguna. Continuity of fencing would provide a much nicer appearance when, or if, there is ever a pedestrian pathway along the laguna.

In continuing to discuss the fencing, Consultant Planner Woltering suggested black chain link that has been used at other locations and looks quite good. Along the west property line, Committee Member Key suggested only fencing at sides rather than along the entire property line. Committee Member LeDoux agreed unless they need security for mechanical equipment.

It was moved by Committee Member Key to grant Preliminary Design Review approval for the plan identified as Option #1 to allow construction of a 7,600 square foot industrial building on a .56 acre lot located at 506 Portal Street, with the recommendation that the sidewalk along Portal Street be designed without a park strip, and subject to the following conditions of approval:

1. Applicant shall provide additional trees, shade and landscaping in the parking area to achieve 50% coverage in ten years.
2. Amended. Site details shall be provided including such items as fencing, trash enclosure, lighting, benches (if any) and bikeracks, for final design review. Fence detail shall address the comments of the Committee at their regular meeting on April 5, 2001.
3. Exterior lighting plans shall be submitted, including illumination that highlights entry points and parking lot areas. No light spillover or glare onto adjacent properties is permitted.
4. Irrigation plans shall be provided.
5. Signs shall be submitted for Final Design Review approval.
6. A color rendering and materials samples shall be provided at final design review.

7. There shall be no reduction in the number (13) of parking spaces provided.

11. Sidewalk shall meander such that the sloping at driveway is eliminated.

12. Applicant shall revise the plans to provide internal downspouts (at least on the front of the building) for final design review.

ADDED: 13. The final design review submittal shall be revised to remove the external downspouts (at least in front) and to provide an internal system.

There were no reports by staff.

There were no reports from the Committee.

Submitted by:

Kathleen Brisbine

Administrative Secretary