CITY COUNCIL: Appeal of a Planning Commission's Decision to Deny a Design Study Application for Vinyl Windows Installation

Meeting Date: 1 July 2008
Prepared by: Marc Wiener, Assistant Planner

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny a Design
Study application for the installation of vinyl windows in a structure located at the SE
corner of Dolores and 8th Avenue. The appellant and property owner is the American
Red Cross (Carmel Chapter).
Description: The appellant is requesting that the Council overturn the Planning Commission’s
decision to deny the installation of vinyl windows. The Commission’s decision was
based on its conclusion that the vinyl windows would be inappropriate for the
architectural style of the building.
Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s decision.
Important Considerations: Residential Design Guideline 9.11 states the following regarding
window materials: “Materials other than authentic, unclad wood are appropriate only
when it can be demonstrated that the proposed material is more appropriate to the
architecture.” The Guidelines also encourage the use of natural materials.
Decision Record: The Planning Commission denied this project on June 11, 2008. The property
owner filed an appeal with the City Clerk on June 16, 2008.
Reviewed by:
__________________________ _____________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: MARC WIENER, ASSISTANT PLANNER
DATE: 1 JULY 2008
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S DECISION TO DENY A DESIGN STUDY
APPLICATION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF VINYL
WINDOWS IN A STRUCTURE LOCATED AT THE SE
CORNER OF DOLORES AND 8TH AVENUE IN THE SINGLEFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL (R-1) DISTRICT
SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION
Deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s decision.
BACKGROUND AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This site is developed with a one-story post adobe structure that was built in
approximately 1955. The windows in the structure are all divided-lite with aluminum
frames. The building is owned and occupied by the American Red Cross.
Due to the age and appearance of the windows, the applicant is requesting to replace the
aluminum windows with double-pane, simulated divided-lite vinyl windows. The
applicant will have a window sample available at the hearing.
The Planning Commission denied this project on June 11, 2008.
EVALUATION
Residential Design Guideline 9.11 states the following regarding windows materials:
“Materials other than authentic, unclad wood are appropriate only when it can be
demonstrated that the proposed material is more appropriate to the architecture.” The
Guidelines also encourage the use of natural materials.
The existing aluminum windows are typical for the age and style of the building. The
City’s standard policy is to allow for the replacement, in-kind of windows. Therefore,
American Red Cross Appeal
1 July 2008
Staff Report
Page 2
staff could administratively approve a request to replace the existing windows with new
aluminum windows. However, since the applicant is requesting to replace the existing
windows with vinyl, staff referred this application to the Commission.
The vinyl window sample submitted to the Planning Commission included divided-lite
grids that were between the glass panes, which typically is not allowed, regardless of the
window material. The Planning Commission concluded that vinyl windows would be
inappropriate for the architectural style of the building and denied the application based
on its interpretation of the Design Guidelines.
RECOMMENDATION
Deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s decision.