HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE CULTURAL RESOURCES DISTRICTM`�"''� AGENDA REPORT Reviewed m ' 2
City Manager
Finance Director N/A
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2014
TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: DRAFT CITY OF TUSTIN COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR
THE CULTURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
SUMMARY:
The Commercial Design Guidelines (CDG) for the Cultural Resources District (CRD) will
serve as a guide in the preservation of Old Town Tustin and its historically significant
buildings and streetscapes. In addition, the CDG will provide basic principles for
achieving quality design and development compatible with the character of the CRD
and will help property owners and design professionals in designing projects that are
acceptable and consistent with the design criteria and standards established for the
CRD. On October 28, 2014, the Planning Commission conducted a public workshop
on the CDG and recommended that the City Council approve the CDG for the CRD by
adopting Resolution No. 4272 (Attachment A).
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 14 -73, approving the CDG for the CRD and
direct staff to prepare associated implementation actions through City Code
amendments for future consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The CDG is a City- initiated project and was prepared using in -house staff resources.
There are no additional fiscal impacts to the General Fund associated with the approval
of the CDG.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
The proposed project furthers the objectives of the following Strategic Plan goals:
• Goal A: Economic and Neighborhood Development — The proposed project
would enhance the vibrancy and quality of life in the community.
Commercial Design Guidelines
November 18, 2014
Page 2
• Goal B: Public Safety and Protection of Assets — The proposed project would
ensure Tustin is an attractive, safe and well maintained community in which
people feel pride.
BACKGROUND:
On February 25, 2014, staff presented the draft CDG to the Planning Commission for a
thirty (30) day review period. Consideration of the draft CDG was then continued from
the March 25, 2014, and April 8, 2014 Planning Commission meetings to provide the
Planning Commission with additional review time and to receive written advice from the
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regarding potential conflicts of interest. On
May 15, 2014, and May 16, 2014, the FPPC determined that Commissioners Altowaiji
and Thompson do not have a disqualifying conflict of interest and may participate as
members of the Planning Commission with regard to the Commission's consideration of
the draft CDG.
At the July 22, 2014 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed the comments
received by the Commissioners and provided additional comments. Based on the
comments received, the draft CDG were revised to include sections on seismic retrofit
and Complete Streets.
On August 14, 2014, copies of the CDG were released to the public for a thirty (30) day
public review period through direct mailings to the Tustin Area Historical Society and the
Tustin Preservation Conservancy (Attachment C) and made available to the Tustin
Chamber of Commerce, and on the City's website, at the Tustin Library, and at City
Hall.
Comments were received from the Tustin Preservation Conservancy and from one (1)
Tustin resident (Attachment D). The Tustin Area Historical Society reviewed the
document, but did not provide any recommended changes. The comments received
from the public were minor in nature and were incorporated into the revised draft CDG.
On October 28, 2014, the Planning Commission conducted a public workshop on the
CDG and recommended that the City Council approve the CDG by adopting Resolution
No. 4272.
The revised draft CDG (Exhibit A to Resolution No. 14 -73) incorporates the comments
received from the public as well as changes made by the Planning Commission and
Community Development Department staff.
DRAFT COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES:
The format and appearance of the draft CDG are modeled after the updated RDG. Like
the RDG, the CDG serve as a guide to assist property owners, architects, contractors,
and other design professionals in understanding the City's goals for the preservation of
historically significant buildings and neighborhoods. Another purpose is to provide basic
Commercial Design Guidelines
November 18, 2014
Page 3
principles for achieving quality design and development compatible with the character of
the CRD; the guidelines often help property owners and design professionals in
designing projects that are acceptable and consistent with the design criteria and
standards established for the CRD.
The CDG recognize the unique identity of Old Town and provide flexibility in addressing
the specific needs and characteristics of the City's historic commercial district. The
illustrations, how -to methods, and design ideas shown in the CDG are to be used as an
example against which to measure proposed projects; they are not intended to be
development standards as are found in the Zoning Ordinance. Applicable projects will
be encouraged to follow the spirit of the CDG to the greatest degree possible.
The CDG handbook is organized under the following topics:
• Introduction
o Provides an overview of the Guidelines, the establishment of the City's
historic preservation program, the design review process, and certificates
of appropriateness.
• Tustin History
o Summarizes the history of Tustin, with a focus on the Commercial Core.
• Tustin's Historic Commercial Buildings
o Describes One -Part Block, Two -Part Block, Temple Front and Arcaded
Block, and Framed Window Wall forms; and Western False Front, Neo-
Classical Commercial, Victorian Commercial, and Moderne architectural
styles.
• CDG Overview and Standards
o Summarizes the California Historical Building Code and the Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Preservation and Rehabilitation Guidelines
o Provides rehabilitation guidelines for store fronts, windows, entrances,
decorative elements, awnings, materials, seismic retrofit, and cleaning and
painting.
• Adaptive Reuse
o Provides information on converting a historic building to a different use.
• Building Additions
o Discusses site plan considerations, compatibility, scale, mass, height,
setbacks, materials, etc.
• New Infill Development
o Explains site plan and architectural considerations for new development.
Commercial Design Guidelines
November 18, 2014
Page 4
• Incorporating Sustainability
o. Presents ideas for making a building more sustainable through increased
energy efficiency in five (5) areas: Weatherization, heating and cooling,
roofs, windows, and solar technology.
• Parking I
o Discusses siting and design for surface lots, parking structures, and
curbside parking.
• Landscaping and the Street Environment
o Suggests appropriate landscape design, street furniture, walkways,
outdoor sales and seating, fences and walls, lighting, bicycle lanes and
racks, Complete Streets, and public art.
• Identification Signs
o Discusses sign types, historic signs, and general sign guidelines.
• Appendices
o Includes a glossary of terms, lists of appropriate materials and colors, an
overview of Low Impact Development (LID) principles, City approval
process summary, processing flowcharts, summaries of the Historic
Register Plaque Designation Program, Federal Tax Incentives for Non-
residential buildings, and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties, a landscape planting chart, and a list of
helpful books, websites, and codes.
ASSOCIATED CODE AMENDMENTS:
Should the City Council approve the CDG as proposed, it is recommended that the City
Council also direct staff to prepare associated City Code amendments for future
consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff has determined that
amendments would be required to allow A -frame signs and painted signs in the CRD
and to establish standards for temporary outdoor displays within the CRD's public right -
of -way. Pursuant to existing Tustin City regulations, A -frame signs and painted signs
are prohibited throughout the City, and the display and /or advertisement for sale of
merchandise on or over the public right -of -way is expressly prohibited in the CRD.
However, the CDG encourage these types of signs and merchandise sales within the
CRD.
CORRELATION TO THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL CORE PLAN:
On June 3, 2014, the City Council authorized the execution of a consultant services
agreement for the development of the Downtown Commercial Core Plan (the Plan).
The goal of the Plan is to facilitate a greater understanding and "sense of place" for the
Commercial Design Guidelines
November 18, 2014
Page 5
traditional center of Tustin; define strategies to enhance Old Town; create a pedestrian
oriented community; revitalize the City's commercial core; protect community resources;
improve connecting and access roads; and, attract new businesses.
The first public workshop on the Plan was held on October 1, 2014. Approximately
eighty (80) people attended to help shape the future of Downtown Tustin through the
development of a new Specific Plan for the Old Town area. A second public workshop
is scheduled for December 4, 2014.
It is anticipated that the CDG will serve as a complementary document to the Plan. As
the Plan is developed, it may be desirable to incorporate the CDG in the Plan or to
refine and expand the CDG to reflect the concepts and strategies identified within the
Plan.
CONCLUSION:
If approved by the City Council, copies of the Commercial Design Guidelines will be
provided to stakeholder groups made available to the public at City Hall, and be placed
on the City's website.
Scott Reekstin Elizabeth A. Binsack
Principal Planner Director of Community Development
Attachments: A. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4272 (without Exhibit A)
B. City Council Resolution No. 14 -73 (without Exhibit A)
C. Letters dated August 14, 2014
D. Public Comments Received
r_TA irdy:IJal=1►rr_1
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4272
(WITHOUT EXHIBIT A)
RESOLUTION NO. 4272
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE THE COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE
CULTURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT.
The Planning Commission of the City of Tustin does hereby resolve as follows:
I. The Planning Commission finds and determines:
A. That the Commercial Design Guidelines (CDG) for the Cultural Resources
District (CRD) are modeled after the Residential Design Guidelines (RDG) for
the CRD, which were originally adopted in 1994 and updated in 2012;
B. That the CDG assist property owners, architects, contractors, and design
professionals in designing projects that are acceptable and consistent with the
design criteria and standards established by the CRD;
C. That the, Planning Commission requested that CDG be developed as a
companion document to the RDG;
�— D. That on February 25, 2014, staff presented an overview and a draft of the
CDG to the Planning Commission for a thirty (30) day review period;
E. That on July 22, 2014, the Planning Commission reviewed the comments
received and provided additional comments. Based on the comments
received, the draft CDG for the CRD were revised to include sections on
seismic retrofit and Complete Streets;
F. That on August 14, 2014, copies of the CDG were released to the public for a
thirty (30) day review period through direct mailings to the Tustin Chamber of
Commerce, the Tustin Area Historical Society, and the Tustin Preservation
Conservancy, and made available on the City's website, at the Tustin Library,
and at City Hall; and
G. That comments were received from the Tustin Preservation Conservancy and
from one (1) Tustin resident. The comments were incorporated into the revised
draft CDG.
II. The Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve the
Commercial Design Guidelines for the Cultural Resources District, attached
hereto as Exhibit A.
Resolution No. 4272
Page 2
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City of Tustin at a regular
meeting held on the 28th day of October, 2014.
I�Ifi ' .
.* .►,
Chairperson
ELIZABETH A. BINSACK
Planning Commission Secretary
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF TUSTIN )
I, ELIZABETH A. BINSACK, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am the Planning
Commission Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Tustin, California; that
Resolution No. 4272 was duly passed and adopted at the regular meeting of the Tustin
Planning Commission, held on the 28th day of October, 2014.
PLANNING COMMISSIONER AYES:
PLANNING COMMISSIONER NOES:
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ABSTAINED:
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ABSENT:
ELIZABETH A. BINSACK
Planning Commission Secretary
Altowaiji, Kozak, Lumbard, Smith (4)
Thompson (1)
r
i
ATTACHMENT B
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 14 -73
(WITHOUT EXHIBIT A)
RESOLUTION NO. 14 -73
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE COMMERCIAL
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE CULTURAL RESOURCES
DISTRICT.
The City Council of the City of Tustin does hereby resolve as follows:
I. The City Council finds and determines as follows:
A. That the Commercial Design Guidelines (CDG) for the Cultural Resources
District (CRD) are modeled after the Residential Design Guidelines (RDG)
for the CRD, which were originally adopted in 1994 and updated in 2012.
B. That the CDG assist property owners, architects, contractors, and design
professionals in designing projects that are acceptable and consistent with
the design criteria and standards established by the CRD.
C. That the Planning Commission requested that CDG be developed as a
companion document to the RDG.
D. That on February 25, 2014, staff presented an overview and a draft of the
CDG to the Planning Commission for a thirty (30) day review period.
E. That on July 22, 2014, the Planning Commission reviewed the comments
received and provided additional comments. Based on the comments
received, the draft CDG were revised to include sections on seismic
retrofit and Complete Streets.
F. That on August 14, 2014, copies of the CDG were released to the public
for a thirty (30) day public review period through direct mailings to the
Tustin Chamber of Commerce, the Tustin Area Historical Society, and the
Tustin Preservation Conservancy, and made available on the City's
website, at the Tustin Library, and at City Hall.
G. That comments were received from the Tustin Preservation Conservancy
and from one (1) Tustin resident. The comments were incorporated into
the revised draft CDG.
H. That on October 28, 2014, the Planning Commission held a public
workshop and recommended that the City Council approve the
Commercial Design Guidelines for the Cultural Resources District by
adopting Resolution No. 4272.
That the approval of the Commercial Design Guidelines for the Cultural
Resources District is exempt from environmental review under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. This section provides that a
Resolution No. 14 -73
Commercial Design Guidelines
Page 2
project is exempt from environmental review where it can be seen with
certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a
significant effect on the environment. If approved, the Commercial Design
Guidelines for the Cultural Resources District would serve as a guide to
assist property owners, contractors, and design professionals in
understanding goals for the preservation of historically significant buildings
and neighborhoods. The proposed document would not have a significant
direct or indirect effect on the environment.
II. The Tustin City Council hereby approves Commercial Design Guidelines for the
Cultural Resources District, attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Tustin, at a regular meeting
on the 18th day of November, 2014.
ELWYN A. MURRAY
MAYOR
ATTEST:
JEFFREY C. PARKER
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE )
CITY OF TUSTIN )
I, Jeffrey C. Parker, City Clerk and ex- officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin,
California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council of
the City of Tustin is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 14 -73 was duly
passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 18th day
of November, 2014, by the following vote:
COUNCILMEMBER AYES:
COUNCILMEMBER NOES:
COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED:
COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT:
JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY CLERK
ATTACHMENT C
LETTERS DATED AUGUST 14, 2014
Community Development Department
August 14, 2014
Sharon Teter
Tustin Preservation Conservancy
145 Pacific Street
Tustin, CA 92780
TUSTIN
BUILDING OUR FUTURE
HONORING OUR PAST
Subject: Cultural Resources District Draft Commercial Design Guidelines
Dear Sharon and Members of the Tustin Preservation Conservancy:
Enclosed for your review is a copy of the draft Commercial Design Guidelines for the
Cultural Resources District. These Guidelines have been prepared as part of the City's
continued efforts to record and encourage the preservation of the rich historic past of Tustin.
This document provides guidelines for the maintenance, rehabilitation, preservation, and
enhancement of commercial properties, outdoor amenities, signs, and new infill
development within Old Town Tustin and at other historic sites throughout the City.
The document provides a wealth of information on architectural styles and covers the
following topics:
• Preservation, Rehabilitation, Adaptive Reuse, Additions and Infill Development.
• Business identification signs to help preserve and enhance the character of Old
Town Tustin.
• Tips for energy efficiency to promote sustainability.
• Ideas for landscaping on private property and the public right of way, and
suggestions for improving overall street environments.
• Improvements in building materials that will economically help to preserve and
rehabilitate historic buildings.
• Photos and graphics that help explain improvements that can be made to
properties.
• Resources and website links to make it easier to find additional information.
Copies of the document are also available to the public on the Tustin website and in print at
Tustin City Hall and the Tustin Library. Following the public review period, we intend on
holding a public workshop before taking the revised document to the Planning Commission
and City Council for adoption. Please submit any comments you may have by
September 20, 2014, via email to sreekstin(a�tustinca.ortl or by mail to Tustin City Hall,
Attention: Community Development Department, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780.
Sincerely, /
Elizabeth A. Binsack
Community Development Department
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780 • P: 171 1) 573 -3100 • F )714) 573 -3113 • �% %% wttMmca_oig
Community Development Department
August 14, 2014
Gretchen Whisler
Tustin Area Historical Society
PO Box 185
Tustin, CA 92781
TUSTIN
BUILDING OUR FUTURE
HONORING OUR PAST
Subject: Cultural Resources District Draft Commercial Design Guidelines
Dear Gretchen and Members of the Tustin Area Historical Society:
Enclosed for your review is a copy of the draft Commercial Design Guidelines for the
Cultural Resources District. These Guidelines have been prepared as part of the City's
continued efforts to record and encourage the preservation of the rich historic past of Tustin.
This document provides guidelines for the maintenance, rehabilitation, preservation, and
enhancement of commercial properties, outdoor amenities, signs, and new infill
development within Old Town Tustin and at other historic sites throughout the City.
The document provides a wealth of information on architectural styles and covers the
following topics:
• Preservation, Rehabilitation, Adaptive Reuse, Additions and Infill Development.
• Business identification signs to help preserve and enhance the character of Old
Town Tustin.
• Tips for energy efficiency to promote sustainability.
• Ideas for landscaping on private property and the public right of way, and
suggestions for improving overall street environments.
• Improvements in building materials that will economically help to preserve and
rehabilitate historic buildings.
• Photos and graphics that help explain improvements that can be made to
properties.
• Resources and website links to make it easier to find additional information.
Copies of the document are also available to the public on the Tustin website and in print at
Tustin City Hall and the Tustin Library. Following the public review period, we intend on
holding a public workshop before taking the revised document to the Planning Commission
and City Council for adoption. Please submit any comments you may have by
September 20, 2014, via email to sreekstin(cDtustinca.orq or by mail to Tustin City Hall,
Attention: Community Development Department, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Binsack
Community Development Department
300 Centennial VVay, TLmin, CA 92780 • 1': (71 4) 573 -3100 • I' (714) 573 -31 13 • %VMV tuslfnC,1 01
ATTACHMENT D
PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED
From: Linda Jennings <lindacjennings @hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 4:01 PM
To: Reekstin, Scott
Subject: RE: Design Guidelines
No, not from the Conservancy. Comments are from me.
L Buildings should be identified by the name given them in the Historical Survey. Had the guidelines been written
a year or so ago, it would have said :Acorn Naturalists, Beachpit, etc. Now those businesses are gone so the
guidelines would have been outdated. Let's call Mrs. B's the Tustin Hardware Bldg, etc.
2. Where remodeling, restoring, etc. is discussed, such as in the right -hand column on page 59, the guidelines
should use the term "architectural ", w "Preserve the storefront's character and architectural style."
3. Could we require replacement windows be wood and glass, or the same material as the original? See page 62.
I thought the guidelines were concise, well written, attractive and easy to understand. Very nice job on the part of
you and the staff. Thanks.
From:
Sharon Teter <willandshar @att.net>
Sent:
Thursday, September 25, 2014 8:32 AM
To:
Reekstin, Scott
Subject:
Re: Commercial Design Guidelines
Hi Scott,
These comments from Linda essentially cover the areas we discussed at our board meeting. Will you accept them as not only from
Linda but also from the Tustin Preservation Conservancy? There is basically nothing more I could add on behalf of our board.
Thanks so much,
Sharon