Initially, we did not want to change the exterior lighting. At some point, the city encouraged our design team to update our lighting using premium light fixtures but apparently gave no guidance.
During the second ARB hearing, criticism was given that no details were provided for the added lighting fixtures. No ARB members said anything to indicate if the added exterior lights were wanted or unwanted.
In order to make progress and since our only reason for adding the exterior lights was an attempt to satisfy a vague suggestion from the ARB, we do NOT wish to add any exterior lighting. We wish to leave it as it currently exists, was built, and designed.
A schematic of the existing lighting was submitted at the beginning of our application to replace the siding and roof.
The lights to the left and right of the garage turn on automatically during dark hours. The lights in the garage have a motion sensor.
If the building department identifies any safety issues while reviewing building permits or during inspections, we will comply and make any changes as innocuous as possible.
Our building walkways and garage are well illuminated by our current lighting. The city street light illuminates: the front of our building, the sidewalk, and El Camino Real. The new hotel will have a driveway and portico located in the dark, right-hand side, of the picture (the existing restaurant is 31′ from the property line, the new hotel will be 11′ from the property line). The new hotel will determine whether there is too much light or not enough on the right side (our building sits 22′ back from the sidewalk, the new hotel will be right at the sidewalk and only 11′ from the property line). During the summer, the city street trees hide most of the front of our building.
Update 2021-03-30
During a meeting with city staff (Ms. Gerhardt & Ms. Foley on 2021/03/29) the issue of exterior lighting was discussed. We were told that an old building typically has its lighting upgraded. There was also a brief discussion about upgrading light fixtures to a premium quality aesthetic. We want to stick with the recessed lighting theme of the balcony on the left side of our building as much as possible.
Although neither of the exterior lights, to either the left or right of the garage gate, is visible from the street, we will replace them with recessed ceiling lights. The light (labeled elevator) on the left side of the driveway is currently on the ceiling. The light (labeled parking) on the right side is currently on the stairway wall facing the building.
The three recessed lights on the left balcony will be replaced with new recessed lights which are the same size as the existing recessed lights.
The single exterior light on the wall of the left rear balcony will be replaced with new a light fixture (we’ve never used this light during the 2 years we’ve occupied the building). The new light fixture will be wall-mounted in the same location and will either be, or be similar, to the Phantom Wall Sconce. This light is located in a location that is very hard to see from anywhere other than our own property.
The doorway at the upper stair landing on the right front of the building does not currently have a light. The door is recessed into a shallow alcove. A recessed light will be added in the ceiling of the alcove unless the building framing prohibits it.
As stated above, if the building department identifies any safety issues while reviewing building permits or during inspections, we will comply and make any changes as innocuous as possible.