At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Architectural and Design Review Commission conditionally approved design review permits for two new single-family residences, both located in the flats.
It also conditionally approved an architectural review for a façade remodel in an existing parking structure that will be converted into ground floor retail space, and a sign program for tenants who may occupy that space.
One of the single-family residences approved by the commission will be located at 509 N. Rodeo Drive. According to a staff report, it will replace a demolished structure at the same location.
The design for the home is described by the applicant as inspired by European architecture. The project will have a symmetrical front façade and material finishes that include smooth light-gray stucco, precast trim, slate roof tile, wrought-iron railings and aluminum-clad wood windows.
During discussion, commissioners expressed concern about the flatness of the façade and a lack of sufficient landscaping in keeping with design standards for the city.
“I think you need a lot more large trees in the front than what you’re proposing here,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Daniels. “It is a rather bland, flat, uninteresting façade. I mean, we can’t design it for you, but landscaping would help a lot to offset that blandness of the façade.”
Chair Rebecca Pynoos agreed.
“Part of our charge, our criteria for what we’re supposed to look at is that the proposed development’s design appropriately minimizes the appearance of scale and mass and enhances the garden-like quality of the city, and appropriately maximizes the use of open spaces within the proposed architectural style,” she said. “And I have to say … we’re still not there yet with elements of this property.”
Following a discussion that included various design suggestions, the commission approved the request with five conditions addressing the property’s landscaping, façade windows, paving and pediment.
The second single-family residence reviewed by the commission will be located at 708 Sierra Drive.
The applicant described the project’s architectural style as “modern farmhouse,” incorporating light-colored stone veneer, cement plaster, wood accents and a standing seam metal roof. The front façade features multiple front-facing gables, black metal windows and a street-facing garage.
Commissioner Evan Meyer expressed his disappointment over the destruction of the previous home on the lot but also voiced his support for the design of the new home.
“I always hate it when some of these name architect[ural homes] that were designed really elegantly and understated are being torn down … the good news is, I think what you have proposed is just a really nice departure from what we see so often in our commission,” he said. “We get a lot of these very boxy, rectangular-shaped homes with very little articulation, and I think this is a much more interesting approach.”
Other commissioners largely agreed with Meyer. Some expressed concerns over certain portions of the front façade as well as the roofline, and the final approval was conditioned with revisions to those elements of the project.
Finally, the commission approved an architectural review of a façade remodel and sign program at 450 N. Roxbury Drive.
The site is an existing parking structure. The city’s Planning Commission in November 2024 conditionally approved the conversion of nearly 6,800 square feet of the structure into retail floor area.
Brian Nelson, a representative for the project, told the commission that the conversion seeks to encourage foot traffic in the area.
“The impetus is about creating some pedestrian-friendly storefronts along a street that really doesn’t have them at the moment … this side [of the street] in particular is mainly office fronts,” he said.
Meyer voiced his support for the proposal.
“Overall, I think this is well-designed, good-looking,” he said. “I think it will be a much better use of space and hopefully help activate that section of the street which, as you mentioned, is very quiet on the retail front. I think this is a positive change of use.”
Daniels asked the applicant “how confident” they are that they can lease a “seven-foot-high retail space.”
“That’s a very low space,” Daniels said. “As clever as I feel you have been with the design and the concept to turn parking into retail, which I think is excellent, I’m just wondering, have you thought about that?”
Michael Farahnik, another project representative, acknowledged that leasing might be challenging because of the structure’s height.
“That’s going to be one of our impediments as far as trying to lease this space,” he said. “So, we’re going to have to lease this space as, Beverly Hills Triangle address that’s not perfect … our position is going to be, build it and they will come. We are the only folks on Roxbury that can revitalize that street.”
