[4:55] Okay. [4:56] Good evening and welcome to the regular meeting [4:58] of the Design Review Committee on Thursday, [5:01] December 18th, 2025. [5:03] I now call the meeting to order at 5:00 PM Um, [5:09] Lisa, roll call, vote please. Member [5:12] Melissa Bates. [5:13] Present. Member Goetz. Here. Member Johnson. Here. [5:17] Vice Chair Boyd. Here. [5:19] Chair Esther Jacobson Bates here. Thank you. [5:22] Okay. We're gonna start with the Pledge of Allegiance. [5:24] Um, Melissa, please lead us [5:28] Stand. Please stand [5:29] as you are able. [5:32] I pledge allegiance to flag [5:35] of the United States of America [5:37] and to the Republic for which it stands. [5:40] One Nation under God, individual with liberty [5:44] and justice for all. [5:53] Okay. Um, can I have a motion to approve the order [5:56] of the agenda as presented? [5:59] I so move. Do I have second? I second. [6:04] Um, having heard a motion, I second [6:06] to approve the order of the agenda. [6:08] Lisa, roll call, vote please. [6:10] Member Melissa Bates, approve. Member Goetz approved. [6:12] Member Johnson approved Vice Chair Boyd approve [6:16] Chair Esther Jacobson Bates [6:18] Approved. Thank you. [6:19] Okay. Consent items. [6:21] Lisa, will you please introduce them? [6:24] Items on consent are typically routine [6:26] and will be approved in one motion. [6:27] The chair will call on anyone wishing [6:29] to address the committee on any consent item on the agenda, [6:32] which has not been pulled by the committee. [6:34] For discussion, each speaker will be permitted [6:36] to speak only once, and comments will be limited [6:38] to a total of three minutes. [6:41] Okay. We're gonna start with, uh, [6:43] in-person public comment first. [6:45] Anybody in the room? This is, um, items on the, [6:48] uh, consent agenda. [6:53] Anybody on Zoom? Okay. [6:56] Um, committee members, [6:57] anybody have any items they would like to pull? [7:01] Uh, I do, I am going to ask that we pull, just [7:04] for clarification on item two, [7:11] well, actually two A and B, please. [7:18] Okay. So now we're gonna go back to these consent items [7:22] and um, we're gonna go to item [7:27] two A. [7:29] Um, Lisa, would you like to introduce [7:31] that just real quickly or [7:33] Approve a sign permit for a proposed projecting sign [7:36] and window sign located at 1693 Mission Drive, [7:39] suite C one A PN 1 3 9 1 4 3 0 2 5. [7:43] The proposed project is categorically exempt from csa [7:45] and the applicant is here. [7:48] So I'm the one that asked to have this pulled. [7:50] My quick question has to do [7:52] with the proposed window lettering. [7:54] I see in the diagram here that the window, um, black, [7:58] you know, sign has a white background. [8:00] Is that just the way it's just high? [8:03] Well, you come up to the microphone and yeah, [8:06] I'm not tech savvy, so [8:08] that's just the way I could make it happen [8:09] for you guys to get an idea. [8:10] Yeah. Apologies. I just, I was trying [8:12] to delete the background, but I, I couldn't get it to work. [8:15] No problem. That was my assumption, [8:17] but I didn't wanna go with that, so, um, it'd just [8:20] Be floating on the class. Yeah. [8:22] Perfect. Clear back. [8:23] Yeah, black shows up and the rest of it is just the glass. [8:27] Thank you for clarifying. Of course. [8:29] Anybody else have any questions? Okay. [8:32] Then we'll take a motion, um, to, um, [8:36] approve item one A. [8:40] Excuse me. Item two A I move to approve. [8:46] I'll second. Okay. Um, we've got approval in a second. [8:50] Lisa, roll call vote please. [8:52] Member Melissa Bates, approve. Member Goetz approved. [8:55] Member Johnson approved Vice Chair Boyd approved chair. [8:59] Esther Jacobson Bates approved. Thank [9:01] You. Thank you for clarification. [9:02] [9:03] Um, moving on to consent item two, which is, um, uh, Lisa, [9:07] do you wish to, um, introduce that as well? [9:11] Thank you. The schedule [9:20] Approved 2026 design review committee meeting schedule. [9:27] Okay. I had a, a question on the schedule, um, [9:30] and it looks like maybe I see something on Jennifer's too. [9:34] Um, my question is, I do have [9:37] potential conflict on the January 15th [9:40] and when I looked at that date, [9:41] I was also wondering if this might be a time to [9:45] postpone a meet the meeting a week simply [9:47] because of it being so early in the new year [9:48] and allowing more time for staff to prepare. [9:52] So, short answer is, it is codified [9:53] that the meeting does happen on [9:55] the third Thursdays of the month. [9:56] We are actually being fully prepared for the next meeting [9:58] as we have items that we shoved off from this meeting [10:01] to go to the next meeting. [10:02] So, um, if we have a quorum, which I'm assuming most [10:06] of you will be here for that, then we will, should be able [10:10] to move forward, um, with that meeting. [10:12] And if we don't, we'll address that at a later date. [10:14] Are there any other dates that's correct, that are, are [10:16] of concern of note to anybody at this point? [10:19] The only date that I will not be able [10:21] to attend is the September 17th, as I will be [10:26] setting up for Danish day, [10:27] Danish day's high gear. Yeah. [10:29] Yeah. So very, so very similar. [10:31] If, if you can't make it, just let us know. [10:33] Um, full disclosure, the June 18th date for me, um, I, [10:38] I will be available if I have to be available, [10:40] but I will be nine hours ahead of y'all, so, well, [10:43] Alright. And June 18th [10:44] I will be two hours ahead of you. [10:46] Oh. So [10:48] We'll, we'll as we go. [10:50] Uh, so knowing that you know myself and, and, uh, [10:55] and you would more than likely be out, um, again, [10:58] very similar to what happened when I first started here. [11:00] We had about, we sandbagged 2D RC meetings due to staff, uh, [11:03] outages and vacations. [11:05] Um, we, we may have to do that or we may move it, um, simply [11:10] because, uh, we will be playing musical chairs [11:13] for city staff over the summer. [11:15] Um, so as we have, uh, folks coming off vacation [11:19] and then folks that are, uh, going on, um, [11:21] potential long-term leave, so. [11:24] Alright, sounds good. Thank you. [11:26] Esther. I probably won't be able to attend the 15th, [11:28] the January 15th meeting. [11:30] Okay. And that's the one that's kind of sketchy [11:32] for me. So, um, we are [11:33] Still contemplating it being on the [11:35] 15th. Well, unless [11:36] there's not a quorum, [11:37] but I think at this point we approve this schedule [11:39] and then if necessary we revisit that that [11:41] Is correct. So again, [11:42] if, if, uh, if with let's, my recommendation is [11:46] to approve the schedule as is, um, we will, uh, [11:49] we'll revisit after holidays, uh, the quorum as, as I said, [11:52] we do have an item already, uh, queued up for that meeting. [11:56] Um, and so we'll, we'll do a separate poll [11:58] and if we have to, we, we will special meeting it, so. [12:00] Okay. But at the preference is [12:02] to keep the schedule as is. Yep. [12:04] Okay. So I think that that kind of stands [12:05] for all the future meetings. [12:07] And, and with that, um, I'd like to request just [12:10] that staff send an email [12:12] and maybe do this on a regular basis, you know, [12:14] several weeks before the meeting just to confirm attendance. [12:17] Mm-hmm. With that said, encouraging everybody, [12:19] if you know you can't make a meeting, let, let us know [12:22] as early as possible because that helps with preparation. [12:26] So all that said, do I have a motion [12:28] to approve the 2026 meeting calendar as presented? [12:33] I motion to approve I second [12:37] Lisa, roll call, vote please. [12:40] Member Melissa Bates. Approved Member Goetz. [12:43] Approved Member Johnson approved Vice Chair [12:45] Boyd approved Chair. [12:46] Esther Jacobson Bates approved. Thank you. [12:50] Okay, we're gonna move on [12:51] to public communications non agenda. [12:54] Um, and I, at this point, there's nobody in the room [12:58] and nobody, uh, that our attorney on Zoom, [13:00] I don't think it's required that we do an introduction given [13:03] that, um, such that being the case. [13:08] Then we're going to move on to [13:12] discussion item four A. [13:15] Um, Lisa, will you go ahead [13:18] and introduce discussion on possible [13:20] action on the sign permit here? [13:22] Discussion and pop possible action for a signed permit [13:25] with a sign exception [13:26] for application PA 2 5 0 5 2 located at 1665 [13:31] for Avenue apn. [13:33] 1, 3 9, 1 4, 3, 2, 1 for two wall signs. [13:36] The proposed project is categorically exempt from CA [13:41] and then I do have a PowerPoint. [13:42] I'll get up here. It's really quick. [13:47] Um, So the applicant is [13:52] requesting an exception [13:53] to the maximum allowable size for two wall signs. [13:56] Um, each sign measures 9.33 square feet. [13:59] Uh, the, it's existing signage, um, [14:02] that looking back there were no permits initially [14:04] fi filed for the sign. [14:06] So we're just trying to get them into [14:07] compliance at this point. [14:09] Um, the exception is requested from the applicant due [14:12] to the size of property. [14:13] Um, there are multiple buildings [14:15] and the location, um, it borders second Street and then fur. [14:18] So it is out of the, um, visual corridor. [14:21] It's technically in the VMU district, [14:24] but it is set back from the village. [14:25] Um, and there is some difficulty finding it. [14:29] Um, and then there are findings required [14:33] for the exception, um, that the DRC will review to, um, [14:37] make their findings [14:39] and the project is categorically exempt from SQA. [14:47] Okay. Um, so now we're gonna go ahead [14:50] and, uh, any questions of staff from anybody sitting here? [14:55] And um, again, public comment, there's nobody in the room [15:00] and nobody on Zoom, so we're gonna go ahead [15:03] and close public comment. [15:05] And here it is for our discussion. [15:08] Um, I was able to walk the area today, I'm hoping some [15:13] of you got to see the location as well. [15:16] And, um, it's my understanding [15:18] that this has been there for a couple of decades. [15:20] Um, but that there was a code complaint that came up [15:23] that brought it to, um, to us here today. [15:27] Anybody have any comments? [15:29] I walked it yesterday. Well, I didn't walk it. [15:31] I drove it yesterday, uh, as well. [15:33] And as you said there, signs have been there [15:35] for over 20 years apparently. [15:37] Um, if you were to all [15:40] of a sudden make them meet current code, [15:43] they're eight inches too tall. [15:45] Uh, to me that's a very minor thing. [15:47] And these signs have been there for a long time. [15:50] Nobody's complained until now, apparently. [15:53] Um, and I don't see any problem with them personally. [15:56] Right. Um, I think that we've got conditions here [15:59] for finding an exception within the standards as [16:03] to the building location and the setback. [16:06] Um, as I walked the area, a key factor to me is [16:11] that, um, this is outside of the tourist related area. [16:15] It's not within the visual corridor [16:18] of anybody in the tourist area. [16:20] Um, that we've already made an exception at the market, um, [16:24] there across the street. [16:26] And, um, because I'm the one that I think most of you know, [16:30] I'm very reluctant to allow exceptions, um, [16:35] because that kind of has a domino effect. [16:37] But I think we have a very strong, uh, case here [16:41] because of unusual building location [16:43] and setback to, um, allow this. [16:47] Um, any other comments? Do I have a mo I'm sorry. [16:51] I agree with you what you're saying about the setback, [16:53] it's out of the village and stuff. [16:55] Should I look at something like the, [16:57] there's a clothing store that's next [16:59] to connect the tie cuisine cuisine that we just went in. [17:02] Mm-hmm. And they have six signs for either 2099 [17:06] or 34 99 or, [17:07] and those to me are much more of a, you know, eyesore. [17:12] Eyesore. They shouldn't be allowed to put that many up. [17:14] They should have their own store sign up. They don't. [17:16] And so when you look at this out of the, [17:21] and out of the village, [17:22] Well I think to me, again, I'm not gonna compare it [17:25] to any others except I just did in the, across the street. [17:30] But I think we have to look at the exceptions that we can, [17:33] um, slot this into. [17:35] And we've got that right there at one one C, [17:38] unusual building location or setback. [17:41] I think the matter of years also matters [17:46] how long it's been, how long it's been. [17:48] And that sign has been there for that many years. [17:51] And with that in mind, I also looked at the condition [17:54] of the sign because my initial thought was [17:56] that sign's been there 20 years. [17:58] Um, but because of the material [18:01] and the way it was fabricated [18:02] and, um, the paint, apparently it is in, [18:06] it still looks like it's in fine [18:08] condition. So all that said, [18:10] I do have a question. Yeah. [18:11] Um, I'm looking at the requirement versus proposed. [18:14] So really, um, it's just [18:17] that each sign exceeds the wall sign maximum size. [18:22] Um, there's only two signs. [18:26] Um, so they're in compliance there. [18:28] The letter height is in compliance. [18:30] And so the, his only question was [18:32] that the signs are slightly bigger and yes. [18:37] And that's what we're approved as, [18:38] As I said, that they're eight inches too tall, [18:39] Basically. That's okay. Yes. [18:40] I just wanted to be clear on [18:42] what we were exempting things. [18:44] Yeah. Yeah. [18:45] The rest of it's within compliance [18:48] and um, again, the fact that it's not in the, [18:53] um, although it is in the zoning area, [18:57] it's not in the tourist zone so to speak. [18:59] This is a local business and that's Yeah. [19:02] Not definitely not a tourist business, [19:04] nor is it visible within that tourist area. [19:07] Right. So any, uh, motion [19:11] to approve as presented? [19:14] If I could jump in, uh, excuse me [19:15] before the motion is made. [19:17] Yes. Um, I would just, uh, suggest [19:18] that whoever makes the motion expressly, uh, add [19:22] whatever the conditions are [19:23] that you believe constitute the [19:25] exceptions that you're granting. [19:27] I heard a discussion among the members of the, [19:30] of the committee as to which they thought, [19:32] but it should be part of the formal motion. [19:34] Okay. Um, I think I can make a motion then. [19:36] I don't usually do that. [19:39] But let's go back to, um, [19:46] I move that we allow the sign permit as presented [19:50] with the exception, um, looking at item one C [19:55] as this is based on unusual building location or setback. [20:02] So that's my motion. Does that sound okay? I see a head yes. [20:06] I second it. All right. [20:08] Having heard a motion and a second. [20:10] Lisa roll call vote please. [20:12] Member Melissa Bates. Approved Member Goetz. [20:15] Approved Member Johnson approved Vice Chair [20:17] Boyd approved chair. Esther Jacobson Bates [20:20] Approved. Thank [20:21] You. [20:23] Okay, well we're zooming right on to item number five. [20:27] Committee member comments. [20:32] Well, I can start. I gotta say Merry Christmas gala. [20:37] Happy holidays to all [20:39] and a special thank you to my colleagues up here on the dais [20:44] for our almost a year together. [20:48] I think this is, I guess it's meeting 11 [20:51] 'cause we were appointed in January. [20:53] So it's been a pleasure working with you [20:56] and I think we're getting it into a rhythm here [20:59] and looking forward to next year. [21:01] And that rhythm is made possible by our staff here, [21:06] Lisa Raphael, um, for answering all of our questions. [21:10] And believe me, there are many questions I ask them [21:13] that are not from sitting in this chair. [21:15] So thank you for all of that. [21:18] Um, all of that said, um, I have a couple questions, [21:21] but I think they're probably gonna be addressed in city [21:24] staff comments and I'll, um, I'll wait till that time. [21:28] Anybody else have comments? [21:30] Um, I do have one comment. [21:32] Um, I just wanted to confirm [21:34] that our terms have been extended [21:36] and Lisa, could you confirm the end date on that? [21:40] I presume that that was gonna come up. [21:42] That was one of my things. I have [21:45] It right here. Why don't [21:46] Lisa e each each end [21:47] date's actually different from each member. [21:49] Oh. So that, that that's why it's okay. It was, yeah. [21:52] So if, if you need a clarification, [21:55] I would email the city clerk about your [21:57] end date. Okay. It's, [21:58] I believe that the Bates is, uh, up here, [22:00] although we're not related, we apparently also were, um, [22:05] the ones who have the, I think it extended till 2092. [22:09] Is that right Melissa? Um, [22:12] but we have a longer term, so yes. [22:15] Um, this, I a kind of a little quick background on that. [22:19] Having everybody be appointed [22:23] and our terms all end at the same time, [22:25] I'd highly encouraged our city council to really reconsider [22:30] that and, uh, [22:32] because if I hadn't been here, [22:35] it would be a completely new group. [22:37] Um, and not that I couldn't, you know, not [22:40] that I'm indispensable, [22:41] but I think when you have a full turnover, you lose some [22:45] of the background and institutional memory, um, as [22:49] to why decisions were made. [22:51] The staff is here and they're great, [22:53] but they're also, you know, new since I started as, [22:56] as a design review committee member. [22:58] So, um, having that ability [23:01] to have staggered terms I think will be very valuable. [23:03] And that's happening with planning as well, [23:05] if I understand correctly. Yeah. [23:08] So I have one other comment too. [23:10] I wanna second your comments. [23:11] I'm wishing everybody a happy holiday season [23:14] and it's been a pleasure being on the committee [23:17] with everybody and I think we've been doing [23:19] what I suspect is pretty good work. [23:21] So thank you and thank you Esther, [23:23] for leading us down the path here. [23:25] It's been a year. Thank you. Thank you. [23:28] Another question on terms, there's no prohibition on [23:32] Reapp approving or reappointing any of the outgoing members [23:37] to a a subsequent term. [23:39] This Might, that, that, that would be up [23:41] to the council person who, um, who will nominate right, uh, [23:45] the next member of the DRC as part of their, [23:49] um, nominations. [23:51] So there'll be a new filing period just as we all did. [23:53] That Is correct. And then [23:55] the city council will look at the applications and pick, [23:59] Okay. And [24:00] in the past, each council member kind [24:03] of selected their choice [24:05] and honestly I didn't quite hear how that was. [24:08] Is it going to be, I mean, it was always approval [24:10] of the majority required, [24:12] but kind of like each person appointed their choice. [24:16] Is that still the way it's gonna be [24:17] or is it gonna be Yes. Okay. [24:20] Thank you. So still the same, but the, the terms just now [24:23] align with the council person, so [24:26] That was my understanding as well. [24:27] Yeah. Um, [24:29] but there's no limit as to how many times you can conserve. [24:33] There's no term limit, [24:34] but you have to go through the process each time, um, [24:37] to be reappointed. [24:39] Correct. There's no codification for term limits. Yeah. [24:43] Thank you. Um, okay. City staff comments please. [24:51] Trying to do multiple things at the same time. [24:53] Um, so that was actually the first item on my list. [24:55] Uh, so, uh, you were sent out an email [24:57] from the city clerk, Sophia. [24:59] Again, if you have any questions in regards to term dates, [25:01] because it's not a standard term date for everybody, [25:04] each one's person's different, go ahead [25:05] and email the city clerk or email [25:07] myself and I'll get you your answer. [25:09] Um, our staff has been extremely busy with the influx [25:13] of building permit submittals over the last, uh, six weeks, [25:17] um, particularly actually last two weeks. [25:20] Um, so we are, and that's the main driver. Two things. [25:24] One is, uh, we do have a new building code cycle [25:26] that will be, uh, ending, uh, this on the 31st [25:29] and starting on the January 1st, [25:31] we enter the 2025 building code. [25:33] So, um, major projects are trying [25:35] to come on under the old code. [25:37] Um, and then we also have an influx of solar permits due [25:41] to the expiration of tax credits on that. [25:44] So that's why we're pretty busy. [25:46] Um, there's some movement on a couple projects [25:48] or a, a project that's going on in town. [25:50] I know a lot of discussion on the apartment buildings [25:53] located near Fifth and Oak. [25:55] It's technically, it's four 25th Street. [25:57] Um, we did meet with the applicant uh, yesterday. [26:00] Um, we've actually been in contact with pg e [26:03] for the first time in many moons. [26:04] Um, so, um, anyways, so pg e has, has finally, uh, [26:10] provided sort of line drawings [26:11] for undergrounding, utilities for less. [26:13] Don know there's been no construction going on on the [26:16] exterior of the building because, uh, they, uh, [26:19] it was a requirement that those lines be underground. [26:22] Uh, pg e has taken their a while [26:25] to get us back what needs to get done. [26:27] So, um, we're hopefully, we'll, [26:29] we'll start seeing some movement on [26:30] that construction project within the next month. [26:33] Um, short term rentals. [26:35] Uh, so we did have a series of, uh, meetings [26:38] with the city council, uh, about the direction [26:41] of short term rentals and revision to that ordinance. [26:43] This is going to the planning commission on January 5th [26:45] for recommendation to the city council. [26:47] And so hopefully that'll get splashed down here in this [26:49] first quarter, uh, [26:50] with implementation pushed out in quarter two. [26:54] Um, as for, uh, your body, uh, [26:57] we do have a meeting in January for a sign program [26:59] and sign exception for Founder Square. [27:02] Uh, and potentially, uh, facade exception recommendation. [27:06] So, uh, the way our new code is set up is if for those that, [27:09] uh, applicants who are seeking exceptions [27:11] to the objective standards, they have [27:13] to get the recommendation here first [27:15] and then it actually goes to planning commission [27:16] for official finalization. Uh, [27:19] Rafael, sorry to inter interrupt. [27:20] A founder square that's, uh, [27:22] Denmark Square. Okay. Formerly [27:23] known as Denmark Square. Yeah. So [27:24] Little Mermaid Square. [27:26] Yeah, so, uh, those are the two items. [27:30] One of the two is for sure going. [27:31] The other one we will see if we can get it, uh, completed. [27:35] Um, our signage. [27:36] So we, as you know, we've worked over the summer, [27:38] uh, with sign ordinance. [27:40] Uh, we did go to planning commission. [27:41] They had some input as well. [27:43] So we kind of have a couple things [27:45] that we'll need directions on, uh, from the city council. [27:48] So the hope is to take that, uh, in a meeting in January. [27:51] So right now it's keyed up for January 12th, [27:53] but it might get delayed to the second meeting. [27:55] So we'll see how that goes. Um, as for our design handbook, [27:58] we've been busy with other things, so [28:00] that's now been pushed back to come [28:01] to this body in February. [28:03] And then finally, um, it is a new fiscal year [28:07] and so our new fiscal year is gonna be upon us in June. [28:10] And so the city council does have a gold setting session set [28:12] for Saturday February 7th. [28:15] Uh, location and time is still yet to be determined. [28:18] For those that don't know, this is actually the time [28:21] where the city council, uh, sets their goals [28:23] and budget priorities for the, uh, two fiscal years. [28:27] So, um, and it's those goals [28:29] that we work towards over the next two years [28:31] of accomplishing. [28:32] So it's a facilitated meeting, it's an open meeting [28:36] and so the, the more people that come out, the more, um, [28:40] they can chime in on, on the direction [28:42] of the city within the next two years [28:43] and how we program that budget [28:45] and eventually our workload from city staff. [28:48] And, uh, last but not least, uh, [28:49] wanna wish everyone a happy holidays and Merry Christmas [28:51] and, uh, enjoy time with your family and friends. [28:55] That concludes my report, unless you have any questions. [28:58] I do have a question. Tell me again the meeting, uh, [29:01] for the, um, design codes to return to, [29:05] uh, the city council. [29:08] For which codes? Uh, you were saying I think [29:11] that there's something coming up that [29:13] Short term rentals. [29:14] No, there was, The handbook [29:16] Is, I thought there was something [29:18] else. I didn't quite catch it. [29:19] Um, the signs That had gone to planning [29:22] as well. Is that the sign? [29:23] Yes. Yeah. Signs. Yeah. [29:24] So signs will go for direction not adoption? [29:27] Um, both. So, um, [29:29] And what meeting is that? That's what I didn't, [29:31] It's currently scheduled for the 12th, [29:33] but we may push it out to the second meeting in January. So [29:36] You did or you're, We don't know yet. [29:38] Okay. So maybe. Okay. Alright. [29:41] And, um, update us if you [29:46] would, on the latest that you're allowed to speak of. [29:51] Is there anything that you can update us with the project? [29:55] I have no update for that project. Okay. [29:57] We'll leave it at that. Is [29:59] that the Ellis Allen mission project? [30:02] I guess there's no update to be had. Yeah. Thank you. [30:05] Um, available at this time. [30:08] Uh, I think Thank you staff [30:11] and, um, record Meeting [30:14] adjourned at 5 25. [30:19] Merry Hi.