Design review lauds apartment redesign
Members of the Ramona Design Review Board lauded the redesign of an apartment complex proposed for 16th Street, across from the Ramona Lutheran Church, at their Nov. 19 meeting, but tabled a vote pending more details.
Village Place Apartments at 521 16th St., was first presented to the design group by owner Bob Burch and his architect, Edward Gros, in July 2013, as a 44-unit multi-family housing complex. After looking at the conceptual plans, design review members asked that the look reflect more of the community character.
Gros presented the new plans that call for five two-story apartment buildings with a total of 28 units with first floor senior-friendly units with no stairs. The apartments will have private garages and patios or balconies, he said. The complex will offer two- and three-bedroom units, and the architecture would be ranch-style with three different earth tone color schemes, according to Gros. An open space will offer areas for children’s play, barbecuing and a shade structure for picnicking, said the architect.
The 3.4-acre parcel is just outside the Ramona Village Plan Form-based Code and is zoned Village Residential 24, said Gros. The 28 units amount to 8.2 dwelling units per acre, he noted.
Design review secretary Chris Anderson said the property is in the Ramona Community Plan area and that calls for a maximum of 7.3 units per acre unless it offers senior or low-income housing.
Chair Rob Lewallen told Gros that density is not in the design review board’s purview, but that could be an issue.
“I think you’ve got a good project,” said Lewallen, adding that realistically the density is not bad. “This has got some community character. I like it.”
The board requested more details on lighting and changes to the landscaping so all plants would be frost-free. The board tabled the item until the next meeting, Dec. 17, if the applicants are ready.
The apartment plans are listed on the agenda for the Ramona Community Planning Group’s Dec. 3 meeting.
In other business:
▪ Lewallen announced that D’Carlos restaurant had fallen out of escrow and the impending sale will not occur.
▪ The board approved a wrought iron fence for Piva Equipment Rental. The fence will surround the business at 124 10th St., provide security, and replace the chainlink fence in front, said Piva.
▪ Judy Nachazel with the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project said people ask about the history of the mural on the Ramona Food and Clothes Closet, depicting the former Kenilworth Inn at that site, so she presented plans for a small plaque to be added to the mural. The plaque would provide the history behind the mural and Nachazel said they hope to do the same on other murals. The board unanimously approved the plate for the mural on the food and clothes closet building.
▪ The board approved Taco Bell’s request for a drive-through at 1925 Main St., where the fast food chain plans to open. Lewallen recused himself as he owns the retail center, and Anderson abstained, citing concerns about the turn radius for the drive-through, and questioning whether it meets the county’s requirement. The applicant said the county’s minimum radius is 15 feet and the plan is for 22 feet.