CITY COUNCIL: Appeal of Planning Commission's Decision to Deny a Request for Aluminum Clad Wood Windows

Meeting Date: 2 November 2010
Prepared by: Sean Conroy, Plng & Bldg Services Manager

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny a request for aluminum clad wood windows for a building located on the east side of Lincoln between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The appellant is Nancy Moresco.

Description: The applicant is requesting approval to use aluminum-clad wood windows in a
second-story apartment unit located in Su Vecino Court.
Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Determine if the proposed windows are appropriate.
Important Considerations: The Commercial Design Guidelines encourage window designs
and materials to be consistent with the architectural style of a building. The buildings
located in Su Vecino Court contain primarily wood windows, but there are also some
aluminum windows.
Decision Record: The Planning Commission denied this application on 8 September 2010.
Reviewed by:
__________________________ _____________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date
34
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR MCCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: SEAN CONROY, PLNG & BLDG SERVICES MANAGER
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: 2 NOVEMBER 2010
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S DECISION TO DENY A REQUEST FOR
ALUMINUM CLAD WOOD WINDOWS FOR A BUILDING
LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF LINCOLN BETWEEN FIFTH
AND SIXTH AVENUES. THE APPELLANT IS NANCY
MORESCO
BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION
Su Vecino Court is located on the east side of Lincoln Street between Fifth and Sixth
avenues and contains a mix of buildings and commercial uses. The subject building is
on the southwest corner of the site facing Lincoln Street. The buildings in Su Vecino
court have a mix of both unclad wood and aluminum windows.
On 6 June 2007 the City approved the conversion of a second story office space to a
residential apartment unit. The apartment was approved with unclad wood windows and
a stucco finish. The applicant is now requesting approval to use aluminum clad wood
windows throughout the unit.
On 8 September 2010, the Planning Commission denied the application and required
that the applicant install unclad wood windows as shown on the approved plans.
EVALUATION
The Commercial Design Guidelines state the following regarding windows:
“Window design should be consistent with the original building concept or with its
architecture. Wood framed windows with true divided lights (Tudor, Craftsman,
Norman), arched windows (Spanish, Colonial, Revival), or banded windows
(Craftsman) are typical.”
The Design Guidelines encourage building materials to be authentic and consistent with
the architecture of the building. The existing building and approved alterations
incorporate a flat-roof contemporary design. This design lends itself to the use of a
window material other than wood. However, the majority of the windows in Su Vecino
Court are unclad wood. A window sample will be available for the Council’s review.

RECOMMENDATION
Review the window sample and determine if it is appropriate for the building.