CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Planning Commission Report

October 11, 2017

To: Chair Goodhue and Planning Commissioners

From: Marc Wiener, AICP, Community Planning and Building Director

Submitted by: Marnie R. Waffle, Senior Planner

Subject: Consideration of a Design Review (DR 17-233) for the installation of a

dome awning at the front entrance to the Dawson Cole Fine Art Gallery in
the Central Commercial (CC) Zoning District

Application: DR 17-233 APN: 010-138-022

Location: NE Corner of Lincoln and 6 th

Block: 55 Lot: 18
Applicant: Joseph McGowan Property Owner: Richard MacDonald

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The applicant is proposing to install a dome awning at the front entrance to the Dawson Cole
Fine Art Gallery located in the Central Commercial (CC) Zoning District.

RECOMMENDATION
Deny the Design Review (DR 17-233) application.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

The applicant is proposing to install a red fabric dome awning that would measure 5-3 x 5-3
x 10-7 over the entrance to the Dawson Cole Fine Art Gallery. The fabric would be California
Fire Marshall Certified Flame Resistant and is guaranteed for ten (10) years per the
manufacturers warranty. The frame supporting the awning would be constructed of a polymer
coated galvanized tube to match the color of the awning (Attachment A).

Carmel Municipal Code (CMC) Section 17.58.030 (Commercial Design Review) sets forth the
process for reviewing exterior design changes in the Central Commercial (CC) Zoning District.
Approval of any design review application for a commercial project shall require a finding that

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DR 17-233 (MacDonald)
October 11, 2017
Staff Report
Page 2 of 3

the proposed project represents an improvement over existing conditions. The project must
also meet minimum zoning standards and be in compliance with the all applicable commercial
design guidelines and public way design guidelines. Storefront alterations in the CC Zoning
District may be approved by the Director as a Track One Commercial Design Review if all zoning
standards are met and the project is consistent with all design guidelines. Projects that do not
comply with applicable design guidelines or design criteria may be referred to the Planning
Commission for review. Staff has concerns with the compatibility of the proposed awning and
the existing building and therefore is referring the application to the Planning Commission for
review.

STAFF ANALYSIS
The Dawson Cole Fine Art Gallery is located in a two-story building that contains the Gallery on
the ground floor and an apartment on the second floor. The building reflects a Spanish Eclectic
style with a stucco exterior, moss green tile roof, and decorative iron pot shelves and balcony
railings (Attachment B). Slightly recessed storefront windows are arched and frame the main
entry which is defined by a larger, recessed arch. The entry doors include rich wood detailing
and are flanked with divided light sidelights. Above the entry doors are semicircular, divided
light glass accents that accentuate the entry to the building. A decorative light fixture is
centered above the entry arch.

The proposed fabric dome awning would be located above the main entry and would be a
primary red color (Attachment C). A sample of the fabric will be provided at the Planning
Commission meeting. The applicant has indicated in their written statement (Attachment D)
that the color selected is consistent with the Dawson Cole logo color which is used on all of
their advertising and representation of media.

The project is located in the Central Commercial (CC) Zoning District and is subject to the
standard that the proposed development be an improvement to the site and it should also
comply with the Commercial Design Guidelines. While the Guidelines do not provide specific
design statements related to awnings, there is a general statement that modifications to
buildings should respect the history and traditions of the architecture of the commercial
districts. Furthermore, the Guidelines also encourage the use of muted paint colors which
blend with the natural surroundings and recommend avoiding the use of bright or primary
colors. The Guidelines further state that contrasting colors should be saturated and earthen.

While the City has allowed traditional shaped awnings in certain circumstances, dome-shaped
awnings of this size are not traditionally used in the City. In addition, the color of the awning is

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DR 17-233 (MacDonald)
October 11, 2017
Staff Report
Page 3 of 3

a bright primary red, which is discouraged in the Commercial Design Guidelines and is in stark
contrast to the light beige stucco finish of the building. In staffs opinion, the awning would
appear garish. The proposed awning would also obscure the details of the divided-light front
arched window (see Attachment B). In staffs opinion, the proposed awning does not
constitute an improvement over existing conditions.

The Planning Commission is being asked to review the color, material and design of the awning
for consistency with the Commercial Design Guidelines. If the Planning Commission finds that
the addition of an awning is appropriate, Staff would recommend a muted earthen tone for the
color of the fabric.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Class 1 exemptions
include minor exterior alterations of an existing private structure involving no expansion of the
existing use of the building as a fine art gallery.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A Pictures & Diagrams of Proposed Awning

Attachment B Photo of Existing Front Elevation
Attachment C Awning sample
Attachment D Written Statement

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Price includes all material. manufacture. installation and sales tax

Deli'rlery: Fou-tofive weeks from dale of order and deposr. <50%J reoc~ived atAcmeA\\nlng.

Acme Awning Company has served the area since 1933. We produce the highest quality
a'M"!ing installations which enhance. beautify and last. We honestly bella'r'e our quality and
service are the best.

If you have any e:uestions or need further assistance. please do nol hesitate ~o contact me.

Sincerely,

Gate Rav.; tzer

Acme Awning Company

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Attachment C

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Attachment D - Letter
RICHARD MACDONALD STUDIOS

August 25,2017

City of Carmel Planning Commission

Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel, CA

Richard MacDonald

Dawson Cole Art Gallery

6th and Lincoln, Carmel, CA

RE: Application request No. D517-233, Installation of Domed Awning Above the Entrance to Gallery

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are concerned with the sun damage to our art at the gallery, as well as the intense sun light to our
patrons when entering the gallery altering their experience entering the main floor of the gallery. We
feel the installation of the awning would help assist with cooling the main floor gallery and provide a
buffer to the patrons when entering enhancing the experience at Dawson Cole. The building at 6th and
Lincoln is south/west in location taking the brunt of the suns rays.

The Mediterranean style of the building and the domed style windows were actually designed with the
future idea of installation of awnings enhancing the beauty of the building and the "village feeY' in
Carmel.

The color of the fabric chosen is the logo color used by Dawson Cole on all advertising and
representation of media. Please see the attached sample of the fabric provided, and when looking at
the photo proposing the mock-up *note that the photoshop color is much more of a brighter red and
not the tone of the red fabric provided.

In addition, we have provided other examples of awnings currently in Carmel, as well as newer
businesses that have awnings installed recently.

Thank you for your consideration, and please feel free to co ct me with any que ons that may arise.

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16 Lower Ragsdale Drive
Monterey, CA 93940 USA
+1 (831) 655-0424

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