The RDRC and Jay Eastman Take A Curtain Call
Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Because we did. In previous posts here and here, we tracked the progress (if you really want to use that word) of the strip center at Euclid and Rosecrans. Well, the scaffolding has come down and what’s revealed ain’t purty.
Our theme here was wasted space and building materials and of course, The City’s dubious commitment to the idea of sustainability. And our purpose was not to dwell upon the poor aesthetic choices made by the owner of this center. Instead we chose to focus on the City’s role in this aesthetic disaster. For some reason the Development Services Department (they serve developers) decided that this non-subsidized, private remodel needed to go to the hapless Redevelopment Design Review Committee – even though it is miles from a Redevelopment area.
Planner Jay Eastman made it clear that the RDRC intended to impress its preferences unto this site – no doubt assisted by Mr. Eastman himself. Let’s let Barbara Giasone help us with our narrative from a May1, 2008 story:
“The proposed remodel was reviewed by the Redevelopment Design Review Committee last week, but the panel felt the design was commonplace and didn’t reflect the character of the neighborhood, Acting Chief Planner Jay Eastman said. The architect was asked to look at the surrounding neighborhood with terms like “country,” “rural” and “equestrian,” Eastman added.”
Country. Rural. Equestrian. Got it?
The ensuing visual train wreck of disjointed parts, shed and gable roofs, the weird confusion of masonry veneer and stucco, and all the wasted attic space with its dinky windows provide a suitable denouement, fifteen months later, for this cautionary tale. If the property owner had been left to his own devices it is hard to conceive anything worse being done – and it could have been done a lot less expensively.
We wonder just what sort of idiots our staff and their RDRC think inhabit rural equestrian areas.
I don’t see what’s wrong with any of this. It looks like a beautiful new building that captures the sense of old-time architecture. At least they didn’t try to use trendy modernistic stuff that would have offended people. And i like those great new buildings at the college, too!
I think it looks nice as well..
Great minds think alike!
maybe if Pam spends some of that payola she got and bats her eye lashes there it will all be OK. after all she is “just a silly girl”…
I think this is going to be one of those unfortunate instances where the signage will actually help – help hide the building.
It’s really too bad that Fullerton’s Development Services Department Directors and employees have been so successful applying their own parochial and banal aesthetic preferences to everybody else. And that is excactly what happened.
Who told this guy that he had to have RDRC review? The Director, that’s who. And who coughed up the staff report that pushed the useless RDRC on its merry way? This Jay Eastman person, no doubt. And that’s how they’ve done it during the imperious yet incompetent reigns of Paul Dudley and his prevaricating apprentice.
Hopefully the new guy will reconsider the City’s role as arbiter-in-chief of architectural taste.
According to the minutes, the RDRC spent much of the meeting trying to convince the applicant to rent his building out to a Trader Joe’s. Is that within the design review comittee’s scope, or are they just hungry for some Artichoke Tapenade?
http://www.cityoffullerton.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5037
Cameron Irons, 1241 Valencia Mesa, believed the center should be remodeled and redeveloped. He stated he always goes the extra mile architecturally on his development projects, tries to be unique, and encourages authentic architectural elements. Mr. Irons believed the applicant was doing nothing to create a unique environment. He stated if he was doing the remodeling he would make it an Irvine Ranch Market or something a little
more country in keeping with the equestrian neighborhood. He believed veneer should not be allowed, and the center would benefit from two story elements. Mr. Irons stated to approve a stucco and stacked stone remodel was letting the applicant off easy. Cameron, you don’t know the 1st thing about good design, do yourself a favor, spend more time with your business and stop going to RDRC meetings.
“Acting Chief Planner Jay Eastman said. The architect was asked to look at the surrounding neighborhood with terms like “country,” “rural” and “equestrian,” Eastman added.””
Thanks Mr. Eastman, we finally have a place to go and feel at home!
Good comment Hi-O-Silver, heeerrrrr….
Cameron, did you really say and believe that?
The RDRC must have a fetish with fake second floors, but why?Perhaps they are so foolish that they don’t even know that Fullerton is the “education community”. Even educated people don’t like to be fooled, except the dumb ones that live in Fullerton.
‘Design by committee’ in action. Dump the RDRC.
This is an architecturally criminal act, compounded by ignorate government. Where can I go to createand be involved in a dialog with the people who live in Fullerton to discuss and argue what the aesthetic, spatial and other desires of the people are in regards to architectural/civil decisions made here? I just cannot take any more of this horrible, banal, offensive work in my town.
Is there a viable discussion group? A gathering of those who care and have the sand to advocate an aethetic that is for Fullerton?
Opps. Look at me. Spelled ignorant wrong…appologies, just a little pissed off..
Not so fast Mr. Tiger, I want to rent a space on the second floor for my business called “Birds of a Feather” it’s an internet business that connects people to dogs that look alike.
Hey Gordie, send me your business plan. That sounds like a good one.