Design Review approves health center plans, library colors
Ramona Design Review Board approved the stucco colors for the new library, as well as building colors and adjustments for the Palomar Pomerado Health satellite center at its Nov. 19 meeting.
Board members had directed the design team of architects Philip Pape of Ferguson, Pape, Baldwin Architects and Manuel Oncina of Oncina Architects Inc. to modify the proposed stucco colors for the library because they felt the colors were too bright. After reviewing different color samples at the last meeting, the board asked to see the entire palette of materials to be used, including the exterior stone, before making a decision.
The palette was displayed at the library groundbreaking on Monday, Nov. 16, featuring a “rock ‘n oak” warm neutral color and a “campfire” color family of oranges and tans.
“The colors looked really good out in the sunlight,” said Carol Wylie, board president, who was at the groundbreaking.
Although there are still some questions regarding landscaping and lighting for the library site, the board said those could be discussed at a later date, and approved the stucco colors. Tom Fincher, chief of project management with the San Diego County Department of General Services, represented the library project at the meeting and said the grand opening of the library is expected in December 2010.
With several months having passed since representatives for Palomar Pomerado Health made a presentation before the Design Review Board for its satellite medical clinic, architect Aaron Werner of Childs, Mascari, Warner Architects and Michael Shanahan, director of facilities planning development for Palomar Pomerado Health, attended the meeting with site plan changes.
The approximately 37,000-square-foot clinic to be built on Main Street between 13th and 14th streets will house an urgent care, an outpatient clinic and medical offices.
“In March we appeared before you and received some very valuable comments regarding the design of the project,” said Werver. “We were then back in April presenting some of the changes that had been made on some of those comments.”
Werner said they had made some minor adjustments to the landscaping and adjustments to material selections, per board suggestions. These changes, he said, were presented to the board in April but they were asked to come back after resubmitting these plans to the county. Werner presented a sample board of the material selections to design review members.
According to Werner, since resubmitting the package to the county in July, PPH has been working primarily with Caltrans on the median that Caltrans is requiring on Main Street.
“At this time we have resolved the issues with Caltrans and all the outstanding comments from the county, so we’re back today to present the current status of the project and ask for your support and approval,” Werner said.
“I think you did a great job with elevation on all four sides,” said member Debbie Klinger.
Board member Chris Anderson said one issue still outstanding is B Street along the back of the property. Currently B Street does not continue past 12th Street. Anderson, who is also chair of the Ramona Community Planning Group, said the planning group was working with the Ramona Village Design Group about the possibility of B Street continuing through to 14th Street. Doing so would allow connectivity with the RICC (Ramona Intergenerational Community Center), which will be at Main and 13th streets, she said.
Werner said he had heard that such a connection would not be on the PPH parcel.
Anderson said it was discussed at a Caltrans meeting and the planning group has been waiting to discuss it with PPH representatives for six months.
According to Werner, Caltrans had signed off on all their project issues.
“All I can tell you is that on our project right now the county and Caltrans told us that those issues are clear and that’s why we actually came back to you tonight,” said Werner.
Jeff Gan with Re/Max said there is no existing easement or dedication on the property.
Anderson said her concern is that, if an easement exists, it could affect the parking for the clinic.
Wylie said she didn’t believe B Street was a concern of the design review board.
The board voted to approve the colors and adjustments made to the PPH facility as submitted. Anderson abstained.
Gan brought up the Caltrans median by CVS pharmacy and suggested triangular medians be used instead.
“Caltrans is making a hazard for everybody,” Gan said, and several people agreed.
In another issue, the board reviewed the site plan for the Spirit of Joy Lutheran church, but tabled approval until more information is received.
Following discussion about the height of the church’s bell tower, board member Rob Lewallen made a motion, which the board approved, that all future towers be limited to a maximum height of 50 feet.