DS 20-037 (Torres 2 SW of 9th): Consideration of a Track 1 Design Study (DS 20-037, Myer) referral to the Planning Commission revising the wood shingle roof approved by the Planning Commission to a grey concrete tile roofing at a property located on Torres Street, 2 SW of 9th Avenue in the Single-Family Residential (R-1) Zoning District (APN: 010-071-002).

The applicant is proposing to revise the wood shingle roofing material approved by the Planning Commission to a grey concrete tile roofing material on a residence currently under construction on Torres Street 2 southwest of 9th Avenue in the Single-Family Residential Zoning District.

On April 10, 2019, the Planning Commission approved the demolition of a single-story residence and construction of a new 2,451-square-foot, 2-story residence and two-car attached garage (DS 19-013, Myer). The residence was approved with a wood shingle roof, stucco and stone siding, aluminum-clad wood windows, wood doors and two wood garage doors on the two-car garage (refer to the window and door schedule included as photographs in Attachment 1). The project also includes a 2-foot-high stucco front wall topped with a 2-foot-high wood picket fence, a 4-foot-high wooden driveway gate, and a 14-foot-wide, sand-set paver driveway.

On January 31, 2020, the project’s Designer, Claudio Ortiz, submitted a Design Study application DS 20-037 proposing to revise the approved wood shingle roof material to a dark grey concrete tile. Staff has referred this revision to the original permit to the Planning Commission for review. A sample of the proposed roofing material will be available for review at the Planning Commission meeting and the shingle color is depicted in the photographs in Attachment 1.

Roofing Material:  The roof of the subject residence will have a 5:12 pitch, with several front and side-gabled roof lines. While there are several roof lines visible on the front east elevation, the building form does not appear overly-complicated. The modulation of the building elements helps to reduce height and break up wall surfaces. 

When making a decision on finish materials and roofing, the City refers to the Residential Design Guidelines included below.

Section 9.2 of the City’s Residential Design Guidelines states:

• Building forms, materials, and details that contrast strongly within a single building or with neighboring buildings are discouraged.
  
  
• Avoid visual complexity.  Too many different materials or excessive details create a busy appearance and should be simplified.

Section 9.8 of the City’s Residential Design Guidelines states:

"Roof Materials should be consistent with the architectural style of the building and with the context of the neighborhood.

•  Wood shingles and shakes are preferred materials for most types of architecture typical of Carmel.
  
  

• Composition shingles that convey a color and texture similar to that of wood shingles may be considered on some architectural styles characteristics of more recent eras."

Section 9.16 of the Residential Design Guidelines states:

• “Muted earth tones should be dominant elements of a building's color palette. Limit the useof bright colors. If they are to be used, reserve their application to key accent features, such as an entry door.”

The residence has a Spanish architectural style with stucco siding, arched principal windows and doorways, an arcaded entry porch, a round tower element and an arcaded wing wall on the south elevation. Spanish style residences typically have tile roofs. Additionally, tile roofs have dimension and contrast and are consistent with a wood shingle roof in this respect. Therefore, staff supports the applicant’s proposal for a concrete tile roof. 

In regard to compatibility with neighborhood character, the designer, Claudio Ortiz, has provided photographs of other roofing materials on adjacent residences on this block (refer to Attachment 1). This block has a diversity of architectural styles and roofing materials. The two residences immediately across the street from the project site have tar and gravel flat roofs, a residence on the east side of the street has light brown concrete tile, the residence immediately to the north has a grey composition shingle roof and the residence immediately to the south has a black composite imitation slate roof.  Staff supports the proposed concrete tile roof since it would be consistent with the diversity of roofing materials on this block.

Lastly, the applicant is proposing a dark grey color for the concrete roof tiles and the Design Guidelines encourage muted earth tones. Staff supports the grey color as it adds to the diversity of roofing within the immediate neighborhood. However, the Commission may consider requiring an earth-toned color such as brown, tan or the traditional red clay common to Spanish-style architecture.

Staff recommends that the proposed project be found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), State CEQA guidelines and local environmental regulations, pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3) – New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. The project includes a revision to the approved roofing materials from wood shingle to concrete tile roofing, and therefore qualifies for a Class 3 exemption. This proposal does not present any unusual circumstances that would result in a potentially significant environmental impact.