DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM AGENDA DATE: APRIL 19, 2017 TO: THRU: FROM: SUBJECT: Chair Imboden and Members of the Design Review Committee Anna Pehoushek, Assistant Community Development Director Chad Ortlieb, Senior Planner Shaffer Park Remodel, 1930 N. Shaffer Street SUMMARY The City is updating facilities at Shaffer Park, with improvements being undertaken as a design build project. The scope of work involves renovating the parking area; demolishing and replacing the community building; demolishing and replacing the concession building; installing a new trash enclosure; remodeling the baseball field, including upgraded lighting; general landscaping; and, other support features shown on the project plans. The City Council approved concept designs at the time the design build contract was awarded. RECOMMENDED ACTION RECEIVE AND FILE Staff finds that the submitted plans substantially conform to plans previously authorized by the City Council. It is recommended that the Design Review Committee receive and file this report and provide comments to staff. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Applicant/Owner: Property Location: General Plan Designation: Zoning Classification: Existing Development: Associated Applications: City of Orange Previous DRC Project Review: None 1930 N. Shaffer Street Open Space Park (OS-P) Limited Business (C-1) Existing development is a park with a community building and baseball field. Substantially similar facilities as are proposed. None. File reference numbers: Minor Site Plan No. 0892-17 and DRC No. 4904-17
Page 2 of 7 PUBLIC NOTICE No public notice is required. Routine DRC agenda display occurred at City Hall and on the City website. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Categorical Exemption: This project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction) because the existing community building and snack shack will be removed and replaced with buildings that are the same purpose and substantially the same size. In support of the existing park facilities, an expanded parking lot will eliminate existing backing onto a public street, accessory shade structures will be placed over an existing tot lot area, ballfield amenities such as fencing and dugouts will be replaced, and landscaping will be replaced with drought tolerant landscaping. Therefore, the project is exempt. There is no environmental public review or notice required for a categorical exemption. PROJECT DESCRIP TION The project is a remodel of Shaffer Park under a design building contract awarded by the City Council and includes the following components: 1. Expanded On-site Parking Area Currently the site is served by perpendicular parking on Grove Avenue with vehicular backing into the street. The project eliminates the existing parking configuration and brings parking off the street at the north side of the site with a protected parking area consisting of 60 degree angled parking accessed by a one way in and out drive aisle. The parking is separated from Grove Avenue by a 5-6 foot band of landscaping. The sidewalk is diverted from the street at the parking lot, passing along the south edge of the parking lot and facilitating entry into the park area, and facilitating a return to the street at the southwest corner of Grove Avenue and Shaffer Street. This configuration is consistent with plans authorized by the City Council. 2. Community Center Demolition and Relocated Reconstruction The existing community center is approximately 2,300 square feet and is located at the southeasterly corner of the site. It is rectangular in form, has a flat roof, and is covered with stucco walls and aluminum-framed windows. This building exhibits signs of deterioration from wood rot and is at the completion of its serviceable life. The building is being demolished. A new 4,038 square foot community center building will be constructed towards the northeasterly section of the site, south of the new parking lot. The building will consist of a 2,070 square foot multi-purpose room and the remaining space will be for offices, a kitchen, restrooms, and storage space.
Page 3 of 7 The building will be one-story, with a rectangular footprint and, will combine shed and flat roof forms. The elevations will utilize a combination of horizontal Hardie-board lap siding in a tan color, white plaster walls, a brown/grey burnished concrete block base, and aluminum-framed glazing in significant quantities on all but the north elevation. The roof will utilize grey asphalt tiling with galvanized flashing. The east and west elevations show the shed roof form continues along the sides of the building where the flat roof element begins. An attached covered patio projects from the south and east elevations of the building. A tube steel fence is provided at the base of the south elevation patio. The building location and elevations are consistent with the plans authorized by the City Council. The buildings are designed in a contemporary style, taking cues from the nearby Fairmeadow Eichler Tract, while presenting a vernacular that is compatible with the postwar residential development that is prevalent in other adjacent single-family neighborhoods. Building design is also compatible with the adjacent fire station and commercial center. 3. Concession Building Demolition and Relocated Reconstruction The existing 200 square foot concession building located west of first base consists of rectangular form, block walls painted white and, a flat roof. The building will be demolished for replacement with a 1,708 square foot concession building located at north of third base. The new concession building will include the concession area, food storage, an office, ballfield equipment storage and, restrooms. The new concession building has a rectangular footprint, a shed roof and, brown/grey burnished concrete masonry block walls. Openings in the building are for aluminum framed glazing at the concession window on the west elevation, and above-door-level windows on the south elevation where the concession and office area is. Other openings include doors for the restrooms, concession area and, storage areas. Roll-up metal storage-room doors are on the south and north elevation. Roof overhang areas are slotted in regular intervals such that half of the overhang is open to the sky. The building location and elevations are consistent with the plans authorized by the City Council 4. New Baseball Field The new baseball field will generally remain in the same location as it exists. The infield will be renewed, dugouts and viewer seating will be replaced, ballfield fencing will be replaced, lighting will be replaced with Musco lights facing away from the southerly residences, the backstop will be replaced, and safety fencing will be constructed along the foul lines.
Page 4 of 7 5. Covered Outdoor Exercise Area Two new 1,200 square foot new exercise fitness areas will be located at the southeasterly corner of the site. Canopy material is not specified at this time. 6. Hardscape and Landscaping Hardscaping includes new asphalt for the parking lot, concrete walkway paths through the park, decorative pavers around the new community building, a stabilized decomposed granite walking path along the southerly edge of the park and, mulch area softscape at the southerly portion of the site between intermingling trails. Landscaping consists of all new turf and retaining existing park trees combined with new supplemental trees and shrubs as identified on Landscape Plan Sheet L-0.1. Most notable is the removal of several existing mature palm trees along Orange Olive Road and Grove Avenue. Remaining palms facing Orange Olive Road will intermingled with new tree types (Albizia julibrissin). New palm trees will be located along Grove Avenue between the parking lot and street right-of-way. Crape Myrtle trees will be planted to highlight the park intersections on Grove Avenue at both Orange Olive Road and Shaffer Street and also around the new community building. A large number of new trees is proposed south of the baseball field outfield, predominantly True Green Chinese Elm, Tulip Tree, and Rotundiloba Sweet Gum. New trees will also flank the east and west sides of the new community building and will be placed south of the trails along the park s southerly border. The full list of trees is identified on the Plant Palette Legend on Sheet L-0.1 of Attachment 1. The groundcover for the park remains predominantly turf but a significant amount of existing turf will be replaced with the hardscape areas previously identified combined with themed shrub areas including the following from the Shrub and Groundcover Palette identified on Sheet L-1.1: Corner Plaza Entrances Perimeter Areas along the Orange Olive Road, Grove Avenue and Shaffer Street frontages Riparian/Natural Areas at the southerly project edge in association with water quality features Screening Areas at the southerly property boundary Open Space areas south of the community building. Community Center frontage planting Circular Raised Planter plantings
Page 5 of 7 As shown on the irrigation plan, turf areas will continue to use sprinklers, while shrub areas will utilize drip and bubbler deep well irrigation. Hence, the project will result in water saving with some turf removal. 7. Other Project Features Other project features include the following: a. Passive Activity Areas - picnic tables, park benches, bike racks, water fountains/filling stations, flagpole and, raised seat wall planters b. Park Signage - At the Grove Avenue intersection corners with Shaffer Street and Orange Olive Road. Signage is proposed as typical for City park facilities and includes the Park name and address on a 4 ½ foot high wall with external up lighting consistent with park standards. c. New Trash Enclosure Located near the entry to the new parking lot and to be constructed with concrete masonry block to City specifications. d. Exterior upgrades to the existing restroom building and picnic shelter as needed The City Council approval of the design build contract included approval of a conceptual site plan and building elevations for this project (Attachment 2). The concept plans represent the Council s expectations for this project. If the Design Review Committee identifies any design suggestions on plan details that were developed after the City Council review, then value-added suggestions are appreciated. EXISTING SITE The existing site is Shaffer Park on 7.3 acres which has an existing community room, lighted ballfield, tot lot, picnic area canopy, restrooms, and concession stand. EXISTING AREA CONTEXT Shaffer Park is located east of Orange Olive Road; west of single family residences, north of Fire Station No. 3, a water pump facility, and multiple-family housing; and, south of a commercial center. There is no unifying architectural theme for the area. The commercial center exhibits 1980 s-style architecture, the single-family dwellings exhibit post war ranch-styles, the multiplefamily dwellings consist of units over garages, and the Eichler Fairmeadow tract exists a block southeast of the park. ANALYSIS/STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES The project design represents a high quality project with an integrated design theme that is appropriate for a public park compatible with the surrounding area. The architectural colors and
Page 6 of 7 materials are compatible among the buildings and structures on-site. Building forms will include similar elements such as shed roofs of equivalent slope. The community building will utilize significant amounts of glazing and attached perimeter patios along with a variety of building elements and colors. The building elements used contribute to a high quality project with visual interest. The snack shack building will be predominantly concrete block, consistent with the utility function of the building but the roof overhang areas are slotted in regular intervals such that half of the overhang is open to the sky. The light and shade effects of the roof slots will add to the visual interest in the building style. Landscaping for the site will be enhanced through the addition of more trees and the replacement of some turf area with drought tolerant landscaping and trail/path surfaces. New landscaping will be provided to soften the appearance of the improved parking area. Signage is limited to a placement on a low-wall and would have up lighting consistent with other city parks. Accessory features such as shade structures, trash enclosures, fencing, and ballfield amenities will reflect consistency and typify the types of amenities that would be anticipated to serve a City park. Staff has not identified issues for this City project. ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION Staff review occurred on March 1, and April 12, 2017. After initial staff comments predominantly pertaining to parking lot and street improvements and path of travel, staff has determined that the project meets requirements of the Orange Municipal Code. Staff recommended the project move forward to the Design Review Committee with minor staff comments to be considered for incorporation into the plans prior to plan check. CONDITIONS No conditions are required. ATTACHMENTS 1. Project Plans dated 2. Concept Plans approved by the City Council on December 13, 2016
Page 7 of 7 cc: Kim Harvey, P.E. (kharvey@gkkworks.com) Bonnie Hagan, Community Services Director (bhagan@cityoforange.org) Don Equitz, Senior Landscape/Project Coordinator (dequitz@cityoforange.org)