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City of West Covina
Memorandum
A G E N D A

ITEM NO. 2.
TO: Planning Commission
 
 DATE: July 11, 2023
FROM: Planning Division    
SUBJECT: Study Session - Design Review Subcommittee Guidelines

BACKGROUND:

Section 26-418 of the West Covina Municipal Code (WCMC) establishes the Planning Commission subcommittee for design review.

The WCMC requires subcommittee review for the following projects:
  • New construction of single-family residences
  • Structural additions or modifications on the front elevation of a residence
  • New second-story additions top one-story residences
  • New second-floor additions to two-story houses
  • New balconies
  • Any modification that is readily visible from a public right-of-way.
The WCMC requires the subcommittee to consider the following criteria when approving projects:
  • New development, or alterations of existing development should utilize building materials, color schemes, roof style, and architecture that is visually harmonious with the subject property and surrounding neighborhood.
  • Vertical and horizontal articulation of building facades should be used to avoid long, uninterrupted exterior walls on residences. All structures should have relief to create an interesting blend and enhance the architecture.
  • Roof lines should be reasonably compatible with the design and scale of surrounding structures. Vertical and horizontal roof articulation is encouraged to avoid long monotonous, flat sections of roof.
  • The scale and mass of the building should relate to surrounding structures. The height and bulk of the building should be in scale with buildings on surrounding sites and should not visually dominate their sites or call undue attention to themselves.
  • The buildings should include a variety of materials and colors. Materials shall be consistently applied and should be chosen to be harmonious with surrounding structures. Piecemeal embellishments and inconsistent materials and architecture should be avoided.
The Design Review Guidelines were created in order to provide property owners and/or designers/architects more specific direction on planning for residential project: the project will likely be approved if the design guidelines are complied with.

A study session on the Design Review Guidelines was last held on March 2019. In order to stay current with construction trends, it is beneficial to review the Design Review Guidelines every 3 - 5 years.








 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this study session is to review the Design Review Guidelines. The Design Review Guidelines consists of two separate documents: a) One-Story Addition Design Guidelines (Attachment No. 1); and b) Two-Story Addition/House Design Guidelines (Attachment No. 2). 

During the study session, staff will present the current Guidelines and invite comments from the Commission and allow for discussion of potential additions and/or elimination of certain items.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the Planning Commission provide staff with direction on any potential revisions to the Design Review Guidelines and staff approval policy. 
Submitted by:
Jo-Anne Burns, Planning Manager

Attachments