HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 PC REPORT 195 EL CAMINO REAL COMMENDATION ' AGENDA REPORT ITEM #2
MEETING DATE: MARCH 12, 2019
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION AS HISTORIC AND CULTURAL
RESOURCES ADVISOR
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: COMMENDATION AND TUSTIN HISTORIC REGISTER NOMINATION
DEL RIO BUILDING — 195 EI CAMINO REAL
RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission, as Historic and Cultural Resources Advisor, approve
the nomination of 195 EI Camino Real (Figure 1) to the City's Commendation Program
and forward the commendation to the City Council for recognition.
4*
iR
T�7
R
Figure 1
195 EI Camino Real
January 4, 2019
195 EI Camino Real
March 12, 2019
Page 2
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City's Commendation Program recognizes an Old Town property of outstanding
merit as often as every calendar quarter. A decorative sign is displayed at the property,
and the property is recognized at a City Council meeting. Properties commended to
date include: 355 West Second Street, 320 West Third Street, 520 West Main Street,
160 South Pacific Street, 335 South C Street, 340 West Main Street, 200 South A
Street, 310 South Pasadena Avenue, 705 West Main Street (or 350 South Myrtle
Avenue), 525 West Main Street, 410 Pacific Street, and 138 North B Street. The most
recent nomination was 434 El Camino Real (Zama Tea).
195 EI Camino Real — Commercial Development
The Community Development Department is nominating the property at 195 EI Camino
Real for a commendation as an outstanding property in Old Town Tustin. Oftentimes,
the Tustin Preservation Conservancy or the Tustin Area Historical Society would
nominate a property; however, the City has initiated this nomination to recognize the
recently constructed building as an outstanding contribution to Old Town Tustin.
Prior to the construction of this building, the site was home to a one-story dry cleaning
business with a two-story structure that contained a garage and unpermitted residential
uses. The buildings were the subject of ongoing code violations, environmentally
unfriendly due to dry-cleaning chemicals and generally in rundown condition (Figure 2).
The property sold to the current owner in 2011 and these buildings were thereafter
demolished.
IRI
Figure 2
195 EI Camino Real
September, 2011
195 EI Camino Real
March 12, 2019
Page 3
The property owner completed the new 3,462 square feet, two-story commercial
building at this unique corner location in 2014 (Figure 3). The building currently
includes a ground-floor restaurant and jewelry store and a second-floor yoga studio and
chiropractic office. The architecture represents a modern approach to a neoclassical
style which is compatible with other buildings in the Old Town commercial area. The
facade materials include brick veneer and cladding, a concrete base, French doors and
wood-framed windows, awnings, a painted wood cap and attractive exterior hardware
and lighting fixtures, and outdoor dining area. The height and bulk of the building holds
the street edge and helps to create a well-defined streetscape along EI Camino Real
and Second Street. As a modern building, it seamlessly blends in and enhances the
Old Town built environment.
is
Figure 3
195 EI Camino Real
January 4, 2019
The 2014 construction also contributes to the City's vision and design goals for Old
Town Tustin as described in the Downtown Commercial Core Specific Plan (DCCSP),
which was adopted four (4) years after the building was constructed. Some of the
design goals in the DCCSP are as follows:
• Buildings shall face the street and be sited adjacent to the sidewalk to promote
pedestrian orientation and an active street edge.
• On corner parcels, building shall be placed at the corner adjacent to the sidewalk
with building entry from the primary street, secondary street or the corner.
195 EI Camino Real
March 12, 2019
Page 4
• Buildings should be designed to feature pedestrian scaled architectural details
and entries_
• Buildings should have prominent windows to provide view into the storefront and
the use of transom windows is encouraged. Upper floor windows should be taller
than wide (portrait orientation).
• ,Awnings are encouraged.
• The exterior seating area adds activity and vibrancy to Old Town Tustin.
This property is being nominated for a commendation because it represents an
outstanding modem project in Old Town and furthers the goals of the DCCSP. Staff
recommends the Planning Commission forward the nomination to the City Council with a
recommendation of support for the commendation.
If awarded, the property owner would receive a decorative sign to be displayed at the
property until the end of the quarter, a City-paid plaque, and the property will be
recognized at a City Council meeting.
Elaine Dove, AICP, RLA
Senior Planner