ARC 2019-09-16_7a Approval of MinutesACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
ARROYO GRANDE CITY HALL, 300 E. BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CA
1.CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hoag called the Regular Architectural Review Committee meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
2.ROLL CALL
ARC Members:Chair Warren Hoag, Vice Chair Bruce Berlin and Committee Members
Jon Couch, Lori Hall and Kristin Juette were present.
City Staff Present: Planning Manager Matt Downing and Assistant Planner Andrew Perez
were present.
3.FLAG SALUTE
Committee Member Hall led the Flag Salute.
4.AGENDA REVIEW
None.
5.COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
None.
6.WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
7.CONSENT AGENDA
Vice Chair Berlin made a motion, seconded by Committee Member Couch to approve the
minutes of the August 5, 2019, Regular Meeting as submitted. The motion passed 5-0 on the
following voice vote:
AYES: Berlin, Couch, Juette, Hall, Hoag
NOES: None
8.PROJECTS
8.a. CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 19-002; COMMERCIAL FAÇADE
APPROVAL FOR ENTITLED DRIVE-THRU; LOCATION – 1570 W. BRANCH STREET;
APPLICANT – RICK GAMBRIL, ARROYO GRANDE COMMERCIAL LLC;
REPRESENTATIVE – ARRIS STUDIO ARCHITECTS (Downing)
Planning Manager Downing presented the staff report, briefly described the approved
Amended Conditional Use Permit that increased the number of tenants and allowed for the
addition of the drive-thru pad. He provided details about the design of the building, proposed
materials and colors, lighting, landscaping and intended locations for signage.
Tom Jess, project representative, spoke in support of the project and explained that the design
of the building uses similar architectural concepts, materials, and colors as the primary
structure on site. He also provided details about the screening of the rooftop mechanical
equipment, and use of vegetative screens to hide the service areas of the restaurant.
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Monday, August 19, 2019
The Committee spoke in support of the project and was supportive of the massing, colors and
material choices. The Committee also appreciated how the architecture of the drive-thru
complemented the primary structure on site and found the landscaping appropriate, especially
the use of the vegetative wall.
Vice Chair Berlin made a motion, seconded by Committee Member Juette, to recommend
approval of the project to the Community Development Director as submitted, with the
suggestion to include patio trees in the outdoor dining area and to extend the length of the
proposed planters underneath the vegetative wall in order to capture water that may drip down
when the plants are irrigated.
The motion passed 5-0 on the following voice vote:
AYES: Berlin, Juette, Couch, Hoag, Hall
NOES: None
8.b. CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SIGN PERMIT 19-008; REPLACEMENT OF
ONE (1) EXISTING WALL SIGN AND ONE (1) EXISTING GROUND SIGN FOR AN
EXISTING BUSINESS; LOCATION – 214 E. BRANCH STREET, SUITE B; APPLICANT –
ASSIST HOME LOANS; REPRESENTATIVE – CHRISTIAN STE ARNS (Perez)
Assistant Planner Perez presented the staff report and provided details about the number,
location, materials, and colors of the proposed signs. He also described how the proposed
signage is potentially inconsistent with the Design Guidelines.
Randy Brownell, project representative, spoke in support of the project, provided additional
details about the sign type, materials, colors, and the rationale for going away from a sign
consisting of individual letters to a one-piece sign.
The Committee spoke in support of the change from individual letters to a one-piece sign.
However, the Committee struggled to find the sign in compliance with the Design Guidelines
because the proposed colors failed to complement the color scheme of the building.
Specifically, the Committee felt the white was too stark against the beige color of the building,
and suggested toning down the white to better complement the building’s color scheme.
Vice Chair Berlin made a motion to approve the project with conditions, but the motion failed
to secure a second.
Chair Hoag made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Berlin, to continue the item to a future
meeting to allow the applicant to refine the colors to better complement the building’s color
scheme.
The motion passed 5-0 on the following voice vote:
AYES: Hoag, Berlin, Hall, Couch, Juette
NOES: None
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Monday, August 19, 2019
8.c. CONSIDERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SIGN PERMIT 19-009; ONE (1) NEW WALL
SIGNS AND REPLACEMENT OF ONE (1) EXISTING CANOPY SIGN FOR AN EXISTING
BUSINESS; LOCATION – 203 E. BRANCH STREET; APPLICANT – BRANCH STREET
DELI; REPRESENTATIVE – ROBIN McDONALD (Perez)
Assistant Planner Perez presented the staff report and provided details about the number,
location, materials, and colors of the proposed signs. He explained how the amount of sign
area allowed for a business is determined, and how all signage, even signs that are exempt
from permit requirements, count towards the total sign area for a business located in the
Historic Character Overlay District. He also explained how the style and design of both the
awning and signage complies with the Design Guidelines, but the total amount of sign area
proposed exceeds what is allowed for this location.
Robin McDonald, project representative, spoke in support of the project and explained the
concepts that drove the project. She stated that the primary objectives of the project were to
rebrand the restaurant while beautifying the frontage at the same time. The awning was
chosen to complement the awning on the neighboring business, and the accessory sign was
an attempt to declutter the street-facing windows.
The Committee appreciated the overall concept and aesthetics of the proposal and felt the
proposal was a drastic improvement from the existing signage. The Committee found the
colors, materials, and style of the proposal to be appropriate for the Village. The Committee
discussed ideas to reduce the area of signage by suggesting the removal of the window
graphics, the accessory sign, or the existing sign on the eastern elevation of the building.
Chair Hoag made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Berlin, to recommend approval of the
project to the Community Development Director with the following condition:
1.Reduce the sign area to comply with the maximum amount allowed by the
Municipal Code by either: removing the accessory sign, moving the existing wall
sign on the eastern elevation, or working with staff to re-measure the signage to
determine the sign area without excessive white space and filigree beyond the
borders of the sign message.
Planning Manager Downing brought the Committee’s attention to the revised agenda,
specifically the addition of Item 9.a.
9.DISCUSSION ITEMS
REVIEW OF CHANGE OF COPY FOR ARROYO GRANDE CHEVROLET GROUND SIGN;
LOCATION – 329 TRAFFIC WAY; APPLICANT – ARROYO GRANDE CHEVROLET;
REPRESENTATIVE – NATHAN BEEBE (Downing)
Planning Manager Downing provided project details, including a rendering of the proposed
sign, and noted that the proposed sign will neither increase the height nor sign area of the
previous sign. He also explained that this project is considered a change of copy to the
previous pole sign, and therefore is only a discussion item.
The Committee unanimously supported the change of copy.
10.COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS
None
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Monday, August 19, 2019
11.STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Planning Manager Downing informed the Committee that the Verizon Wireless small cell
facility project is being reviewed by the Planning Commission at their meeting on August 20,
2019.
Planning Manager Downing inquired about the Committee’s flexibility regarding the
September meeting schedule and the noted the possibility of adding a Special Meeting on
September 9, 2019.
Planning Manager Downing thanked the Committee for their in-depth and thoughtful
discussion regarding signage in the Village.
12.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:04 p.m.to a regular meeting on September 16, 2019 at 2:30
p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
ANDREW PEREZ WARREN HOAG
ASSISTANT PLANNER CHAIR
(Approved at ARC Meeting _________)
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