IRISH BEACH ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMMITTEE
PO Box 245 Manchester, CA 95459
(707) 882-3183
ibadc@ibiclub.com ibiclub.com
MINUTES for January 21, 2006
Open
meeting beginning at 11:00am at the Irish Beach Firehouse, 15401 Forest View
Drive.
CALL TO ORDER
Chuck
Conner called the meeting to order at 11:10am.
IBADC
members present: Chairman
Chuck Conner, Nik Epanchin Gordon Moores and Walt Rush
.
Others
in attendance: Jim Albert, Annette and Irmela Barlow, Roger
Bean, Gene Cady, Glenn Coleman, Milli and Doug Conover, RJ Dial, Vera-Lee Kaiser, Norm and Scotty
Kucala, William Moores, Rick Morton, Judy Murray, Carl Poehlmann, Ernest A.
Rodriguez Sr., Al and Loretta Thompson, Ken Trout, Su and Steve Whitaker, Bettye
Winters, Dean Wolfe.
APPROVE MINUTES:
Approve minutes of
November 19, 2005: Nik moved to approve the
November 19, 2005 minutes. Gordon seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
TREASURER’S REPORT: October 1,
2005-December 31, 2005 Jean Selk presented the
report. The beginning balance in the
Committee’s checking account was $3792.55 with $1000 in revenue and $3489.05 in
expenses. The ending balance is $1303.50. Nik moved to approve the report as
submitted. Walt seconded and the motion
passed 4-0.
IBADC: Open
Committee seat. Chuck recognized and thanked Jim
Albert for the time and work he has contributed to the community as a Committee
member for the past year. Those
interested in serving are encouraged to submit a very brief résumé.
IBADC: Proposed
revision of ADC Construction Guidelines, Policies and Fees. Chuck stated that the Committee has been working on needed
revisions. The goal is to make the
revisions effective beginning March 1, 2006.
The revisions will not be applied retroactively. The proposed revisions will be finalized and
posted on the IBIC web site for community review and a 30 day comment
period. He recognized and thanked Nik
Epanchin, who has done most of the work.
Nik presented an outline of the revisions.
Fee Structure: Most
fees will be doubled. A refundable
Performance Deposit, equal to one half of the applicable permit fee,
will be required for New Home Construction and Major Exterior Modification
permits to assure that the permit holder
complies with providing written verification by a licensed surveyor or civil
engineer of the foundation location and building height. All permit fees shall be tripled for permit
applications related to work performed without an IBADC permit. The cost threshold for the two tiers of Minor Exterior Improvement permits has been changed to $4000 from
the current $2000.
Permit Duration and Extensions: New Home Construction permits will be valid for one year and
renewable for 2 additional years. Once
begun, exterior construction must be complete within 12 months (currently 9
months). Two extensions may be
obtained, each for 3 months. The
construction period for Major Exterior Modification permits is extended
to 12 months with a 3 month extension possible. Should
any project under construction not finish within the specified time frame, the
owner must apply for a new permit suited for the remaining work. Fees will be triple the published amount. The ADC may also grant, for no fee,
extensions for construction delays caused by factors beyond the control
of the permit holder. Nik clarified that if construction of a new
home is begun on day 365 of the 12 month permit, the applicant still has 12
months to complete construction, plus any extensions.
Changes to Major Exterior Modification application: Projects for which no prior building envelope exists or which
lacks a topographic site plan that meets current ADC requirements, must go
through a two phase hearing process. The primary purpose of the first phase is
to establish the building envelope and verify view corridors. Projects for sites with a previously
established building envelope and current topo meeting current ADC requirements
will be heard in one phase.
Variances: Currently,
variance requests for New Home Construction and Major Exterior Modifications
applications are addressed in Phase II of the process although the building
envelope is established in Phase I.
Applicants must now include any variance requests in the Phase I
application, to be considered in conjunction with the building envelope. Variances introduced after Phase I approval
will require an additional review final approval of the building envelope.
Statement of Architect or Professional Architectural
Designer(PAD): Applicants for a New Home Construction
permit will be required to submit a signed statement from the architect or PAD
responsible for the project confirming they have visited the site and are aware
of views from all lots within a 300ft radius.
BARLOW 1/033 (14830
Navarro Way): Minor Exterior Improvement application for
the construction of a split rail fence.
Comments have been received from Taylor (1/066), Heinzer (1/067), and
William Moores (1/070). Annette Barlow stated that
they’ve received 2 positive comments and one from William Moores that is
concerned with landscaping and not the application itself. She stated that in the past landscaping
issues have been dealt with successfully between neighbors and thinks it can
remain that way. Gordon stated that the
Committee made a site visit and determined that the fence will have no view
impact. Nik moved to approve the
application as presented. Walt seconded
and the motion passed 4-0. The Barlows
will be issued Minor Exterior Improvement permit number 0106-1033, valid for 3
months, with an expiration date of April 21, 2006. Once begun, construction must be completed within 2 months.
KUCALA 2/47 (14950 Mallo Pass Dr.): Minor
Exterior Improvement application for a deck modification. One comment has been received from William
Moores. Norm Kucala stated that he believes his
application complies with the agreement reached at the September, 2004 ADC
meeting. Chuck said that a review of
the minutes of the meeting show that the agreement calls for the removal of a
14ft x 14ft section of the deck, matching
the deck siding with the house and screening the lower portion of the
deck. This is reflected in the
submitted application. Chuck explained
that the original permit for minor improvements (issued in October 2003) had
expired and an additional fee of $150 is required. Chuck moved to approve the application as submitted. Walt seconded and the motion passed
4-0. Permit 0106-0247 will be issued
when the fee is received. The permit is
valid for 6 months from the date of this meeting and, once begun, construction
must be finished within 2 months.
RODRIGUEZ 2/52 (14951 Mallo Pass Dr.): Phase II
application for New Home Construction permit.
A comment has been received from Rush (3/51) regarding the project’s
affect on their view. Glen Coleman, architect,
presented the application. The septic
system is on the most easterly portion of the lot with the proposed house on
the westerly portion, within the approved building envelope. The highest roof ridge will be 15ft 10in.
above mean natural grade. The proposed
design includes a 4 car garage on the east side of the house with a driveway
and garage entry on the north side.
Roofing material will be 40 year shingles in charcoal color. The structures will have lap siding in gray/brown
color and Milguard windows in almond.
The living area has whitewater and lighthouse views to the
southwest. Nik requested that the
propane tank enclosure be rotated 90° so it won’t be seen from unit 5. Mr. Coleman said he will take it into
consideration but that rotating it will look bad with the current design. Rick Morton suggested that the problem can
be solved by burying the tank. A
discussion ensued over County requirements for propane tank distance from a
structure and the pro and cons of putting them underground. Chuck stated that the view impact of the
tank is the extent of ADC jurisdiction.
However, he suggested that it is in the best interest of both gentlemen
to be familiar with the County regulations for the obvious safety and liability
reasons. Mr. Coleman addressed the
comment received from Susan Rush (3/51) regarding the view impact of the
proposed home. He stated that the
location of the house is driven by the septic system, which was already
designed when Mr. Rodriguez bought the lot, and the view. Reversing the location of the house and
septic field will result in the loss of the ocean view because of the existing
house on lot 53 (Cady). Susan Rush
submitted pictures taken from her deck showing the effect of the proposed house,
which blocks 100% of the whitewater and lighthouse view. Gordon asked if any view can be preserved
from 3/51 when lots 2/51 and 2/57 are developed. Ms. Rush stated that she would like to keep her whitewater view
if possible and is only asking for the same consideration given to others who
have come to this point. It was agreed
that a site visit would be made. Chuck
stated that the Committee is concerned about the lack of screened parking and
the effect of the driveway location on the view corridor from the east and
north. Gordon stated that the ideal
location for the driveway is on the south side of the house because cars parked
in the driveway will have the least overall effect on other lots. Mr. Rodriguez stated that the owner’s cars
will always be in the garage. The site
visit was made. Committee members,
using a pole flagged at 16ft, located the likely east and west ends of likely
future structures on lots 2/51 and 2/57 while Chuck Conner, Susan Rush and
audience members made observations from the Rush deck. Back at the firehouse, it was agreed by
Susan Rush and the Committee that it is not possible to preserve the whitewater
view from 3/51 when the vacant lots are developed. Alternatives to the current driveway and garage configuration
were discussed and a solution was reached whereby the primary and secondary
leach fields will be reversed, allowing room for screened parking on the east
side of the garage. The area will be
screened with landscaping, as will the north side of the driveway. Mr. Coleman redlined the Phase II drawings
to reflect the changes. Gordon moved to
approve the application as redlined.
Nik seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
CONOVER 3/40 (43580 Sea
Cypress Dr.): Phase II application for New Home
Construction permit with a 2ft. height variance. Chuck explained that the Conovers received Phase II approval with
no variance at the November 19, 2005 meeting.
They are now applying for a height variance. The request has been mailed to property owners within a 300ft radius
and no comments have been received.
Chuck also explained that the variance process requires that the
applicant demonstrate the need for the variance due to a topographic or
economic hardship, as described in CC&R Section 4.6. Architect Glen Coleman and Doug Conover
presented the application. Mr. Conover
stated that the requested variance will allow him to avoid the excavation and
removal of approximately 150 yards of material. It will also save the expense of additional concrete and a
foundation drain. He stated that the
south setback has been increased to 18ft as required and the mandated building
separation between his northern neighbor (Wolfe 9/39) is maintained. Nik stated that the 2ft height variance
requires that the north set back be increased by an equal distance to 8ft from
the property line. The current plan
impinges slightly on that required separation, therefore the north setback
should be included in the variance request.
Chuck stated that the lot does not appear to have a topographic hardship
and the Committee does not consider the amount of excavation and concrete to be
great enough to be an economic hardship.
Mr. Conover argued that he understands there are 3 main factors that
must be considered; impact, hardship and mitigation. Although he cannot meet the threshold for a hardship, he believes
the complete package should be considered and that the impact should take
primacy in consideration. In his case, the variance causes no negative view
impact and the possible affect on lot 3/41 is mitigated by the set back
increase. Other possible mitigations
were discussed including stepping the foundation and changing the roof pitch,
neither of which offered a solution.
The Committee explained that while they liked the design and are sympathetic
to Mr. Conover’s argument, they do not believe the CC&Rs allow them to make
exceptions to the hardship requirement.
Chuck stated that if they do not rigidly follow the procedures, someone
in the future will use this as a precedent.
Nik moved to not grant the variance due to a lack of demonstrable
hardship. Gordon seconded and the
motion passed 4-0. After William Moores
hearing for 7/15, Mr. Conover requested reconsideration. Dean Wolfe, speaking on behalf of Mr.
Conover, argued that the Committee can grant the variance in accordance with
CC&R 4.6 due to practical difficulties and unnecessary expense that a
precedent is being set by also imposing the hardship condition as a
requirement. The excavation is only needed to avoid the variance and will necessitate
the construction a 40ft long, 5ft. high retaining wall which requires
engineering (CC&R 5.5). This is in
addition to the already discussed expenses.
He also argued that the building separation from the Wolfe house is more
than 34ft and therefore satisfies CC&R Section 5.3(b). Upon review of the original Phase II
submittal, the Committee verified that a line in the northeast corner of the
house could indeed be a retaining wall which had remained unidentified by both
the Coleman and Conover until this time.
Nik noted that the submitted variance request does not sufficiently lay
out all the factors. Walt moved to
strike the previous vote to deny the variance.
Gordon seconded and the motion passed 4-0. Walt then moved to grant provisional approval based on receipt
within 15 working days of a comprehensive variance letter which describes all
unnecessary expenses avoided and mitigation taken. Chuck moved to amend the motion to state that the north set back,
as shown, is in compliance with 5.3b of the CC&Rs. Nik seconded the motion to amend which
passed 4-0. Nik seconded the amended
motion which passed 4-0.
WM. MOORES 7/15 (44290
O’Rorey’s’ Roost): 1/5/06 Request for change of set back
conditions for Phase I approval. Gordon Moores recused himself
and joined the audience. Bill Moores
asked the Committee to approve the Phase I application with the 6ft building
envelope set back from the north property line. (See minutes of 11/20/04) He explained that at the time of the
conditional approval, it was believed that the ownership of the lot to the
north, lot 7/16, would transfer from MCP to him, at which time he would
formally agree to the proposed set back on lot 7/15. It now appears the transfer may not take place and MCP will not
agree to the set back. He argued that
the Committee set a precedent when they approved the Trathen project (7/26)
even though their neighbor (Dyson 7/25) did not agree to the 10ft set
back. He further agued that the
Committee has already received a notarized letter from Smardo, the owner of lot
7/17, agreeing to a 6ft north set back on lot 7/16, which effectively replaces
the reduced building area on the south portion of the lot 7/16. Furthermore, the north part of lot 7/16 has
the best views and is the most desirable building area. Gordon Moores, speaking for MCP, said he
has not reviewed this Phase I approval condition change and is not convinced
that this ‘swap’ of building envelopes is reasonable. Chuck stated that the decision on the Trathen’s building envelope
was based on the Committee’s independent research with the County and the
conclusion that part of lot 7/25 is unbuildable due to the stream. In addition, the Trathens agreed in writing
to a reduced building separation should the area become buildable. Chuck suggested that Bill apply for a
variance to the 16ft set back in which case the Committee will drop the
condition of approval. Bill agreed to
submit a variance request for a hearing at the March meeting. Chuck clarified that the Committee is not granting
a variance at this time, only moving the application into the variance
process.
MURRAY 2/64 (15061
Mallo Pass Dr.): Continuation of Major Exterior Modification
application. Continued from the November 19, 2005
meeting. The story poles are up and a
site visit was made earlier to assess the effect on the ocean view from
5/01(Gordon Moores). Gordon Moores
recused himself and remained in the audience.
Judy Murray presented the application.
She explained that this is an application for a garage addition with a
living space above which will add about 400ft2 to her 1000ft2
house. The existing house is 18ft 8in. above mean natural grade and the
proposed structure is 17ft 11in. above grade, or 1ft 11in. above the height
limit for unit 2. Ms. Murray stated
that the effect on the view from 5/01 is small and doesn’t think it will affect
the sale of the lot. She is willing to
hip the roof to mitigate the effect and redlined this change. Gordon Moores stated that if the addition
were moved to the back, or east of the house, there would be no
obstruction. He also stated that he
does not like the way the garage blends with the house. Ms. Murray stated that moving the garage to
the back would mean involving the seasonal creek on her lot which would be costly,
and going through the County to possibly redraw the utility easement, which she
would rather not do. Bill Moores
commented that he has a lot behind her and doesn’t have a problem with her
proposal. Both sets of submitted plans
were redlined to reflect a hipped roof with a 4:12 pitch. Nik moved to approve the Phase II
application as submitted and redlined.
Walt seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Chuck explained that the application now moves into the variance
review process. Ms. Murray shall submit
a comprehensive variance request letter describing the hardships involved and
mitigating actions. Property owners
within a 300ft radius will be noticed and given 30 days to respond in writing. Gordon rejoined the Committee.
STYSKAL: Receipt of
list of 10 homes designed by Paul Styskal in Irish Beach. Chuck explained that Paul Styskal has requested approval to
design homes in Irish Beach as a Professional Architectural Designer
(PAD). Based on the large number of
homes in his portfolio, Nik moved to approve Paul Styskal as a PAD in Irish
Beach. Walt seconded and the motion
passed 4-0.
HOFFMAN 1/052 (14780 S. Hwy 1): 11/21/05 Receipt of Phase I application for New Home Construction
permit. This will be placed on the
March agenda.
COMMUNICATIONS:
ASHTON 1/007 (15250 Irish Beach Dr.): 1/18/06 Notification of intent to re-stain their home in the same
medium gray color.
ROSE 1/098 (15101 Irish Beach Dr.): 11/18/05 Receipt of
letter from Garrison (1/082) questioning the location of the propane tank and
garbage enclosure, which can be seen from their house.
DROLET 1/107 (15225 Irish Beach Dr.): 1/5/06 Oral statement from
Schmidt Construction stating that exterior construction was completed on
12/27/05.
TROUT 2/19 (44661 Pomo Lake Dr.): 12/17/05 Receipt of Phase I application for New Home Construction
permit. Chuck
explained that the dimensions of submitted site plan do not match the
dimensions and geometry shown on the County map, although the address and APN
number is correct. This is the second
such submittal. Jean Selk stated that
Mr. Trout submitted a revised package just prior to the meeting.
WHITAKER 4/12 (15461 Forest View Dr.) 1/18/06 Notification of intent to remove a tree from their
property.
POEHLMANN 4/26 (15661 Forest View Dr.) 12/9/05 Request for
approval of house and trim colors of dark brown and green. The Committee has requested that the green
be replaced with a shade of brown. Anyone
who wishes to repaint or stain their home in contrasting, or non tone on tone
colors, shall submit color samples and receive specific Committee
approval. Chuck moved to approve Mr.
Poehlmann’s color scheme of brown and green for the house and trim
respectively. Nik seconded and the
motion passed 4-0.
MOULTHROP 4/60 (15470 Forest View Dr.): 12/9/05 ADC letter
regarding the Minor Exterior Improvement application received on 10/24/05. The Moulthrops were
advised of additional requirements to complete the application.
MOULTHROP 4/60 (15470 Forest View Dr.): 1/13/06 Receipt of notification of intent to continue Minor
Exterior
Improvements. A driveway has been
constructed without a permit. The ADC
will issue a letter to the Moulthrops advising them to delay further
improvements until they complete the public hearing process and a permit is
issued.
PACKER 4/67 (15640 Forest View Rd): 1/20/06 ADC
letter requesting construction extension fee.
MCP 7/10 (44510
O’Rorey’s Place): 12/10/05 Receipt of letter regarding
contested drain. MCP has contacted the County and
is not requesting ADC action at this time.
WM. MOORES 7/15 (44290
O’Rorey’s’ Roost): 12/16/05 Receipt of Phase II application and
request for a hearing. This application will only
be considered after the Phase I application is approved. (See “New
Business”)
GMEINER 7/23 (44370 O’Rorey’s Roost): 1/20/06 ADC letter requesting
construction extension fee and estimated completion date.
TRATHEN 7/26 (44400
O’Rorey’s Roost): 11/21/05 Receipt of letter from Berton Garey
(7/20) approving of garage project.
TRATHEN 7/26 (44400
O’Rorey’s Roost): 12/8/05
ADC letter requesting documentation confirming that the location of the
garage foundation agrees with the approved application and information
regarding the apparent construction of a fence or retaining wall on the east
property line. Nik and Gordon are recused
from this project. No response has been
received.
WM MOORES: 1/5/06 Request for documentation related to the
adoption of the IBADC Mediation Form.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
TRATHEN 7/26 & 27
(44400 & 44410 O’Rorey’s Roost): Issue of
non-permitted fence.
BUCKE 4/18 (15601
Forest View Drive): Issue of whether or not an after the fact
permit extension is required.
MORTON 4/42 (15851
Forest View Rd): Unanswered request for re-verification that
building height conforms to the approved Phase II plans.
FROMWILLER 4/68 (15700
Forest View Road): 12/20/04
Notification from Ms. Fromwiller that the installation of her propane
tank, woodshed and fencing was completed on 10/9/04 and request for closure of
her permit.
HUNOLT 7/11 (44500
O’Rorey’s Place): No reply has been received to ADC letter
of 9/18/04 regarding excavation on property.
GMEINER 7/33 (44421 O’Rorey’s Roost): Issue of trees. Bill Moores again argued that Mr. Gmeiner’s trees block the ocean view from undeveloped lots to the north and east are in violation of the CC&Rs Section 7.6(a). He requested that the Committee make a site visit. The Committee agreed to do so in the future.