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Planning commissioners require retrofit aluminum windows on Svensgaard hotel project
Summary
On the consent agenda the commission added a condition requiring removal of vinyl insert sashes and installation of black‑bronze aluminum retrofit sliding windows consistent across the building; the motion carried unanimously.
The Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea Planning Commission on Sept. 8 added a condition to the Svensgaard (PRG/Common Thread Hotels) design review requiring consistent window materials for the hotel renovation. The commission required that existing vinyl sash inserts be removed, that the existing aluminum frames may remain where present, and that new black‑bronze aluminum retrofit sliding windows be used as the standard detail for the project.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the city's commercial design guidelines prefer wood or aluminum‑clad windows and call for consistency across a building. The applicant had presented a model room with an aluminum‑clad window, while the most recent field sample included a vinyl retrofit insert. Commissioners, staff and the project architect agreed a uniform retrofit aluminum solution would preserve the building's character while limiting disturbance to existing stucco and frames.
What happened in the meeting - Planning staff explained the commercial design guidelines do not explicitly require one material but prefer wood windows and allow aluminum‑clad as a substitute; vinyl is not typically preferred. - The architect said the project team had tested replacing only the operable portion of the existing vinyl sash to meet acoustic and functional goals and to keep the project within budget. After discussion, the architect agreed to the retrofit aluminum solution that would leave the original frame in place and install aluminum retrofit sliding windows with a black‑bronze finish. - Chair Charlie LePage moved that the existing vinyl sash windows be removed, that the existing aluminum frames be allowed to remain and that a black‑bronze aluminum retrofit sliding window be the standard; a second followed. The motion passed 4–0.
Vote - Roll call: Commissioner Alborn — yes; Commissioner Allen — yes; Commissioner Locke — yes; Chair LePage — yes. Motion carried.
Next steps - Staff will incorporate the condition into the consent resolution and reflect the required window material and installation method in the building permit submittal checklist.
