Design Review Commission continues South Palm Avenue house, directs tighter materials board and simplified palette

The San Gabriel Design Review Commission on April 27 continued review of planning case SPR22-082, a proposed two-story single-family home and a detached 1,000-square-foot ADU at 1133 South Palm Avenue, and directed the applicant to coordinate further with the city architect and planning staff on materials, color selection, and parkway details.

Staff described the project as a 3,202-square-foot primary residence on a 10,000-square-foot lot with an attached garage and a proposed 1,000-square-foot detached accessory dwelling unit. Staff said the project meets R1 development standards, provided a neighborhood analysis noting 13 two-story homes within 300 feet, and determined the project is CEQA-exempt under Guideline 15303 (Class 3).

Applicant Sam Tao said the household needs additional bedrooms and space for an in-home workshop and confirmed the project program and voluntary ADU parking. Commissioners and the city architect, Ron, raised repeated concerns about inconsistency across the plans, renderings and material samples, and flagged an overly variegated tile roof sample described as a six-color blend. Ron said he had reviewed the submittal multiple times and recommended simplification: “I think the roof color needs to work with the stucco color, downspout and the window,” he said, and asked for a single, consistent color board that aligns with the rendering.

Commissioners asked whether parkway pavers would conflict with the eventual water-meter location and urged coordination with Public Works at plan check; staff reiterated that public-works issues will be evaluated during permit plan check. Commissioners suggested a consistent parkway treatment (several recommended silver carpet groundcover) and requested clarity on front-elevation color representation and window proportions so the commission can visualize the final product.

The commission voted to continue SPR22-082 to a date to be determined and instructed the applicant to return with a unified materials board or a colored front elevation that accurately reflects proposed materials, simplified roofing selection, resolved porch-column details (stone versus stucco) and a clear parkway plan. The motion to continue carried on roll call (majority yes; one commissioner absent). The applicant may return once the city architect and planning staff confirm the submittal addresses the commission’s guidance.