TO: Chair and Members of the Design Review Committee
THRU: Chad Ortlieb, Principal Planner
FROM: Angelo Huang, Assistant Planner
1. Subject
title
A request to demolish and replace a monument sign in the Old Towne Orange Historic District at 1006 E. Chapman Avenue (Design Review No. 5160).
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2. Summary
body
The applicant proposes demolishing an existing monument sign and replacing it with a new monument sign at 1006 E. Chapman Avenue. This property is a contributor to the Old Towne Historic District.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Approval of Design Review No. 5160 by the Design Review Committee.
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4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Applicant: Coleman Architecture - Nicholas S. Coleman, AIA
Owner: Coleman6 LLC - Ann M. Coleman
Property Location: 1006 E. Chapman Avenue
General Plan Designation: Neighborhood Office Professional Max. 0.5 FAR (NOP)
Zoning Classification: Office Professional (O-P)
Existing Development: Spanish Colonial Revival home converted into office
Associated Application: None
Previous DRC Project Review: None
5. project description
This project includes:
• Demolition of an existing monument sign
• Construciton of a new CMU monument sign with a stucco finish and bronze lettering. The monument dimensions are: 3-foot 6-inches in height, 4-foot 8-inches in width, and signage square footage is 10 square feet.
6. EXISTING SITE
The site is developed with a two-story building constructed circa 1937 and occupied as an office. The building is Spanish Colonial Revival style. A three-tiered fountain is in the front yard.
7. EXISTING AREA CONTEXT
The building is located at the southeast corner of the intersection at West Chapman Avenue and South Waverly Street. The property is located on the edge of the Old Towne Historic District and is seven blocks from the Old Towne Plaza. The surrounding zones are Office Professional and Residential Single Family.
8. analysis of the project
The scope is to replace an existing monument sign and replace it with a conforming monument sign of similar size, scale, and appropriate materials. The sign consists of a stucco finish which is a common material with the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The bronze lettering is also an approved sign material per the Old Towne Historic District Design Standards.
Staff supports the design and recommends approval.
9. ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION
None.
10. PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice was provided to owners and tenants within 400 feet of the project on or before February 20, 2025, and the site was posted with a notice on or before that date.
11. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities) because the project consists of adding new signage to an existing commercial property. There is no environmental public review required for a Categorical Exemption.
12. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUIRED FINDINGS
Based on the following Findings and statements in support of such Findings, staff recommends the DRC approve the proposed project with recommended conditions (Orange Municipal Code 17.10.070.G).
1. In the Old Towne Historic District, the proposed work conforms to the prescriptive standards and design criteria referenced and/or recommended by the DRC or other reviewing body for the project.
The proposed project is in conformance with the Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne for commercial signage. The sign size, placement, and materials meet the requirements set forth in the Design Standards and Orange Municipal Code. As such, the new signs shall have no adverse impact on the appearance or character of the Old Towne Historic District.
2. In any National Register Historic District, the proposed work complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and guidelines.
Projects found to be in conformance with the Design Standards are generally considered to be in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The proposed sign is compatible with the building in its placement, size, design, and materials and will not negatively impact the streetscape of the Old Towne Historic District.
3. The project design upholds community aesthetics through the use of an internally consistent, integrated design theme and is consistent with all adopted specific plans, applicable design standards, and their required findings.
The proposed sign conforms to the prescriptive standards and design criteria set forth in the Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne and Orange Municipal Code Section 17.36, as described above. The signage is proposed to be placed in a location appropriate for signage within a historic district and will not detract from the appearance of the property.
13. CONDITIONS
The approval of this project is subject to the following conditions:
1. This project is approved as a precise plan. All work shall conform in substance and be maintained in general conformance with the plans (date stamped approved March 5, 2025, and in the project case file), including modifications required by the conditions of approval, and as recommended for approval by the Design Review Committee. After the application has been approved, if changes are proposed regarding the location or alteration of any use or structure, a changed plan may be submitted to the Community Development Director for approval. If the Community Development Director determines that the proposed change complies with the provisions and the spirit and intent of the approval action, and that the action would have been the same for the changed plan as for the approved plan, the Community Development Director may approve the changed plan without requiring a new public meeting. If the Community Development Director determines that any proposed change is substantial, he may refer the plans to the Design Review Committee for subsequent review and determination.
2. The applicant agrees, as a condition of City’s approval of Design Review No. 5160, to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, at applicant’s expense, the City, its officers, agents, and employees (“City”) from and against any claim, action or proceeding brought against the City, including, but not limited to, any claim, action or proceeding commenced within the time period provided in Government Code Section 66499.37 to attack, review, set aside, void or annul the City’s approval, to challenge the determination made by the City under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) or to challenge the reasonableness, legality or validity of any condition attached hereto. City shall promptly notify applicant of any such claim, action or proceeding to which the City receives notice and to cooperate fully with the applicant in the defense thereof. Applicant shall reimburse the City for any and all costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, court costs and attorney’s fees that the City may be required to pay, including any expenses ordered by a court or expenses incurred through the Office of the City Attorney in connection with said claim, action or proceeding. City may, in its sole discretion, participate in the defense of any claim, action or proceeding but such participation shall not relieve applicant of the obligations of this condition. In the event the applicant is required to defend City in connection with such claim, action or proceeding, City shall have the right to approve counsel to so defend the City, approve all significant decisions concerning the manner in which the defense is conducted and approve any all settlements, which approval(s) shall not be unreasonably withheld. The obligations set forth herein remain in full force and effect throughout all stages of litigation including any and all appeals of any lower court judgment rendered in the proceeding. Further, applicant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City for all costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this provision.
3. The applicant shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including all City regulations. Violation of any of those laws in connection with the use may be cause for revocation of this permit.
4. The final approved conditions of approval shall be reprinted on the first or second page of the construction documents when submitting to the Building Division for the plan check process.
5. Construction permits shall be obtained for all future construction work, as required by the City of Orange, Building Division. Failure to obtain the required building permits will be cause for revocation of this permit.
6. If not utilized, project approval expires 24 months from the approval date. Extensions of time may be granted in accordance with OMC Section 17.08.060
14. ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 - Vicinity Map
• Attachment 2 - DPR Form
• Attachment 3 - Project Plans
• Attachment 4 - Digital Materials Board
• Attachment 5 - Development Standards Table