TO: Chair and Members of the Design Review Committee
THRU: Chad Ortlieb, Principal Planner
FROM: Ani Mnatsakanyan, Associate Planner - Historic Preservation
1. Subject
title
Review of a proposed change in window and door design of a previously approved project at 367 N. Cambridge Street (Design Review No. 5033-21).
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2. Summary
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The applicant is requesting the review and approval of in-field changes to windows and a door at 367 N. Cambridge Street. The project was reviewed by the Design Review Committee on August 4, 2021, and approved with conditions by the Planning Commission on September 8, 2021.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Determine whether the modifications align with, and are appropriate modifications to the approved plans.
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4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Applicant/Owner: Erik Westenhofer
Property Location: 367 N. Cambridge Street
General Plan Designation: Low Density Residential (LDR)
Zoning Classification: Single-Family Residential (R-1-6)
Existing Development: 1,630-square-foot single-family residence with a 476-square-foot accessory structure
Associated Application: None
Previous DRC Project Review: August 4, 2021
5. project description
On August 4, 2021, the Design Review Committee reviewed the proposal at 367 N. Cambridge Street to construct a one and a half story addition to a non-contributing single-family residence, demolish an existing accessory building and carport, and construct a new detached two-car garage and workshop (Design Review No. 5033-21). The DRC recommended Planning Commission approval with conditions and recommendations. The Planning Commission approved the project on September 8, 2021 (Resolution No. PC 20-21). The project was reviewed and approved as a precise plan with a solid multi-panel wood front door with a sidelight at the west elevation and rectangular divided light wood windows with external wood muntins with the sash of the center window on the second story to be outfitted with obscure glazing.
The front door and certain windows were installed during construction that are not consistent with the approved plans. Staff is not able to make a finding of substantial conformance between these elements and the approved plans. Staff does not believe that the styles are consistent with the architectural style of the house. Therefore, the applicant is requesting DRC consider approval of the door and windows that were installed in lieu of the approved windows and doors, which are as follows:
• A wood paneled front entry door and sidelight with an oval-shaped beveled glass and a sidelight with a similar beveled glass design.
• A leaded glass window over a divided-light double-hung window at the south elevation towards the rear of the residence.
• Octogonal beveled glass windows at the second story south elevation.
• The front door and octogonal windows are visible from the public right-of-way.
6. EXISTING SITE
The site is developed with a two-story 2,704 square-foot single-family residence and a 430 square-foot detached garage. The original building was constructed in 1948. The second story addition and architectural changes were completed in September 2023. The building features craftsman-inspired building form and materials and is a non-contributor to the National Register-listed Old Towne Orange Historic District.
7. EXISTING AREA CONTEXT
The subject property is located on the east side of N. Cambridge Street, mid-block between E. Palm Avenue and E. Sycamore Avenue. The house is located in an area of predominantly single-family homes on the eastern edge of the Old Towne Historic District. The property is surrounded on all sides by residential properties (R-1-6) that are a mix of contributing and non-contributing resources to the Old Towne Historic District.
8. analysis and statement of the issues
Per the conditions of approval of Design Review No. 5033-21 (Condition No. 2), the project is approved as a precise plan and all work shall conform in substance and general conformance with the plans. Any changes from the approved plans shall be subject to subsequent review and approval by the DRC.
Staff is seeking the DRC’s consideration and approval of the windows and doors installed in lieu of the approved rectangular windows with wood muntins and wood paneled doors that were reviewed by the DRC and approved by the Planning Commission on September 8, 2021.
9. ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION
None.
10. PUBLIC NOTICE
Consideration of alternate windows and front door does not require a public notice because the project was previously reviewed by the DRC and recommended for approval to the Planning Commission on August 4, 2021. The request is not an amendment or modification of the previous approval but a review and approval of the windows and door, pursuant to Condition No. 2 of Design Review No. 5033-21.
11. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Categorical Exemptions: The proposed project was previously found to be categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by the Planning Commission (Attachment 3). No further environmental review is required.
12. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUIRED FINDINGS
The project was already reviewed and recommended approval to the Planning Commission on August 4, 2021, and does not require new findings.
13. CONDITIONS
Conditions of Design Review No. 5033-21 remain. The DRC is limited to those conditions adopted in PC Resolution No. PC 20-21.
14. ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 - Letter of Explanation
• Attachment 2 - Project Plans date stamped July 7, 2021
• Attachment 3 - August 4, 2021 DRC Staff Report and Minutes
• Attachment 4 - PC Resolution No. PC 20-21