Design Review Committee approves agenda and consent items; staff reports code carve-out, upcoming color-palette presentation

The Design Review Committee on April 17 voted to approve the meeting agenda and the consent calendar and received a staff report about recent code changes and permit processing.

A motion to approve the order of the agenda as presented was moved and seconded and passed on roll call: Member Melissa Bates — yes; Member Goetz — yes; Member Johnson — absent; Vice Chair Boyd — yes; Chair Esther Jacobson Bates — yes. Later in the meeting, the committee approved the consent items by roll call with the same recorded responses: Member Melissa Bates — approved; Member Goetz — approved; Member Johnson — absent; Vice Chair Boyd — approved; Chair Esther Jacobson Bates — approved.

Staff reported that a design code adopted in January includes a carve-out allowing staff-level approvals for facade changes that do not increase square footage and meet objective standards. City staff said an applicant recently sought and received a zoning clearance for façade work under the 500-square-foot threshold but proceeded to expand beyond that scope; that applicant has since submitted a formal application so the item will come before the Design Review Committee. A staff speaker said the office is reviewing the submission and will attempt to schedule it for the May queue; typical review periods may take up to 30 days.

Committee members offered brief project updates and observations. One member noted construction progress at the former gas station site at the Lillisade and praised stained-glass and new detailing. The same member raised a concern that a separate applicant at Denmark at Square exceeded the staff-level facade threshold and that the matter will be heard by the DRC rather than processed at staff level.

Staff also said, depending on City Council direction from an upcoming meeting, the DRC may be asked to review a color-palette presentation related to ongoing code implementation work; if Council directs staff to proceed, a color-palette item would appear on a future main agenda. Staff reported no Planning Commission items for May as of the meeting and said Planning Commission could be canceled if no items are received.

The meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.