Solvang design panel recommends approval for facade changes at 433 Alisal Road with copper pretreatment and display limits

The Solvang Design Review Committee on July 16 recommended the Planning Commission approve a development permit for exterior improvements to a multi-tenant building at 433 Alisal Road, with conditions that the proposed standing-seam copper roof be pretreated to match existing building elements and that display windows in the new tower be no more than 50 percent covered.

Rafael, a city staff member who presented the application, told the committee the project — which includes removing a glass-enclosed elevator and replacing it with a clock-tower feature, adding stucco and half-timber detailing, and replacing a canvas canopy with a standing-seam copper roof — exceeds the 500-square-foot threshold for a development permit and therefore requires the DRC to forward a recommendation to the Planning Commission. Rafael noted the roof material meets the objective design standards but flagged potential inconsistency with the adopted Solvang Design Guidelines' preference for clay tile roofing.

Adam Firestone, the building co-owner and the project's applicant, described the glass elevator as visually exposing mechanical equipment to the street and said the tower and copper roof would "blend to the environment" and avoid the worn look of canvas awnings. "We just need to get rid of that blue awning right there," Firestone said, arguing copper can be pretreated and will harmonize over time.

Committee members broadly supported replacing the glass elevator and removing the canvas awning but expressed concern that newly installed, untreated copper could appear too bright or "pull focus." Vice Chair Boyd moved that the DRC recommend approval with the condition that the copper be pretreated to produce an aged appearance consistent with the building's existing copper caps and trim; Member Johnson seconded. The motion also specified that the tower display cases should have a maximum of 50 percent visual coverage to avoid fully obscuring the glass.

On roll call the DRC recorded four votes in favor, one absence, and forwarded the conditional recommendation to the Planning Commission. The conditions are written to require staff verification that the roof finish is consistent with other existing building elements and that a display-window transparency limit be included with any recommendation.

The DRC discussion also touched on signage and display management: Firestone said the applicant will install narrow, lockable display boards to provide tenants with a place for seasonal or rotating items while discouraging full-window coverings. Staff said any signage placed in the display cases would still be subject to the city's sign ordinance and that the condition can be carried forward with the development-permit recommendation.

Next steps: the DRC's recommendation will be included in the staff report to the Planning Commission, which will hold the public hearing and make the final decision on the development permit. The committee adjourned at 5:44 p.m.