Pacific Repertory Theatre amended its Golden Bough Theatre renovation project, resolving all existing issues in front of the Carmel Planning Commission on March 13.
The project was previously approved in 2020, but certain details remained at issue in terms of bringing the building into full ADA compliance, next to additional design changes, proposed by PacRep with a new application submitted in 2023.
The big vision includes a total rebuilding of the theater, meant to improve the audience experience.
Originally constructed in the 1920s, Golden Bough Theatre has been PacRep’s home since 1995. In 1999, PacRep announced a fundraising campaign for renovations, and in 2011 completed the first phase of the project. The second phase started in 2021.
“We currently have a soft opening scheduled for the late June to early July time period,” says John Newkirk, PacRep’s development and marketing executive.
Among the final issues to resolve were: the size of bathrooms, the size of exit ramps and how to pave them, the Monte Verde entrance (not fully meeting the ADA requirements), the driveway (too big), the loading dock area, the fence. The commission’s concern was the project could expand the footprint of the building, increasing site coverage.
PacRep Executive Director Stephen Moorer, who appeared in front of the commission with project architects and a group of supporters, said there will be no footprint expansion. He explained why the architects decided to enlarge restrooms (already ADA-compliant), adding a baby changing station and moving urinals to offer more privacy. (This additional square footage was previously approved by the Planning Commission in 2020.)
The parties found a solution to everything: Ramps will be paved with concrete, the driveway can be 8 feet long and a loading dock can have a short platform to facilitate access.
The biggest issue was the fence. The architects requested iron rods while the commission insisted on a wooden fence. After ensuring the rod iron fence will not have spikes and will look as “residential” as possible, the commission approved the project unanimously.
PacRep will be back in front of the commission seeking approval for changes to the front, including getting rid of the current “mustard” color of the building. “This is not the color we envisioned,” Moorer said. They were going for golden.