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Historic Resources Board backs storefront design for Downtown Conservation District; approves minutes
Summary
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Historic Resources Board voted unanimously to recommend that staff find PR 25064 consistent with the Downtown Conservation District design context and approved March 17 meeting minutes. The proposal features travertine cladding, recessed bays and small, non-illuminated signage.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Historic Resources Board voted unanimously at its meeting to recommend that staff find PR 25064, a Track 1 design review for a non-historic property in the Downtown Conservation District, consistent with the district's design context. The board also approved regular meeting notes from March 17 by unanimous vote.
Board staff planner Jacob presented the application and said the review follows a three-step process: completeness check and scheduling, the HRB recommendation on whether the project is consistent with the Downtown Conservation District character, and a final staff determination based on the design guidelines. "I'm recommending that the HRB recommend that it meets the established design context of the Downtown Conservation District," Jacob said.
The application proposes changes to two storefront faces in a plaza (north-facing on Ocean and an interior west-facing storefront) that the planner said meet required recessed portions of the facade, bay-window limits and door recess guidelines. Exterior materials shown include painted aluminum and brass accents and travertine stone cladding. Signage is proposed as individually mounted letters about 4 inches high and roughly 6 feet 9 inches wide (about 2 square feet); the applicant opted for no lighting for the letters, which staff said conforms to plaza rules on sign area and lighting.
A board member described the design as "quite an elegant design," noting the materials and the designer, HDHP. After discussion, a motion to adopt the staff-prepared resolution recommending the project be found consistent passed unanimously. The vote on PR 25064 was recorded as: Board member Dyer — yes; Board member Goodhue — yes; Board member Guelphieri — yes; Board member Pomeroy — yes; Chair (name given in the transcript with variants) — yes.
Separately, the board approved the March 17 regular meeting notes. That motion was moved and seconded; the roll-call vote recorded in the transcript was: Board member Grier — yes; Board member Gicchio — yes; Board member Guelphieri — yes; Board member Pomerick — yes; Chair (name given in the transcript with variants) — yes.
In announcements, staff noted three upcoming public meetings to be held at the chambers this week: a joint city council and planning commission meeting on an amended housing element, a council strategic-priorities and budget workshop, and a Transportation Agency of Monterey County regional vision and safety meeting. Staff also announced that Ken Wysocki recently began work as the city's new Public Works Director. No public comments were offered on PR 25064 during the hearing.
The board did not direct additional studies or conditions during the hearing; staff indicated any minor design changes required will be resolved during the subsequent staff-level approval step based on the design guidelines.
