Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

January 22, 2006                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, Anthony Palazzo, Greg Wilhelm, Steven Hopkins, Vice-Chair Allen Root, and Chairperson Michael Boudreau 

Commissioners Lopes and Root were absent. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  

The order of the agenda was not modified. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.            712, 720, 722, 728, 736, 742, 748 Marsh Street and 1119, 1123, 1125, 1127, 1129, 1137 Garden Street. ARC 124-06; Applicant presentation and introduction of a new mixed use building bordered by Garden, Broad and Marsh Streets and Garden Alley; C-D-H  zone; Garden Street SLO Partners, LP, applicant. (Tyler Corey) 

The ARC did not take any formal action on the project.  The purpose for the meeting was to introduce the project to the ARC early in the process and for the ARC to provide preliminary comments to the applicant and staff.  Staff opened with a brief introduction of the new mixed-use infill redevelopment project.  The applicants then gave a PowerPoint presentation on project details outlining the evolution of the design concept. Overall, the project’s architectural style and detail was received favorably by the Commission.  The Commission also noted the amount of thought and work that has gone into the development proposal.  Informal oral comments were received from all Commissioners present at the meeting and staff received written comments prior to the meeting from Jim Lopes, which were distributed to all ARC Commissioners and project applicants for review and consideration.  No public comment was received on the item.         

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

2.            Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the February 5th meeting. 

3.    Commission: 

       A.    Minutes: January 8, 2007 (amend or approve) – The minutes were approved as submitted. 

B.       Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

There was a general discussion regarding the City Council’s 3-2 vote to uphold the applicant’s appeal of the ARC’s approval of the façade remodel at 899 Higuera Street.  Despite the Council’s decision, the ARC was resolved that their original action to uphold the guidelines and come up with a viable compromise was overall a good decision. 

Commr. Palazzo reported on his participation in the South Broad Street Corridor Focus Group.  He mentioned that the group meets once a month and that the first meeting was focused on land use, specifically the idea of ultimately moving heavier commercial uses to other areas and having more of a mixed use character to the corridor.  The ARC agreed to have Commr. Palazzo provide an update to what the focus group discussed once a month at one of their regular meetings. 

A sub-committee including Commrs. Palazzo, Boudreau and Lopes was formed to work with staff on modifications to the Community Design Guidelines related to potential changes to the City’s policies and ordinance standards related to building heights in the downtown.  A meeting time for the sub-committee of 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday was suggested. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.