Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

February 4, 2008                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

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

All of the Commissioners were present. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   

The order of the agenda was not modified. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment other than on regular agenda items. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        2456 Santa Clara Street.  ARCMI 172-07; Review of a two-story addition to a single-family residence; R-1 zone; Steve Barasch, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

On a 7:0 vote, the ARC denied the project based on specific findings of inconsistency with policies of the General Plan and guidelines contained in the Community Design Guidelines.  The applicant Steve Barasch provided a presentation outlining the site constraints that led him to the proposed site configuration for the addition, and why he believed that the design and detailing of the addition complemented the existing house. 

A total of 12 speakers addressed the Commission.  One speaker, Leslie Halls, spoke in support of the request and pointed out Mr. Barasch’s capabilities as an architect.  The remainder of the speakers testified against the project.  Many neighbors of the project were in the audience and nine of them spoke out against the project supporting staff’s recommendation for denial.  Common threads with the neighbors’ comments included: 

·        concerns with the design incompatibility of the addition with the existing house;

·        the lack of the floor plan being integrated with the main house given the only access to the new second floor was from an external stairway;

·        issues that the project would adversely affect the overall neighborhood character;

·        the visibility of the site where the addition was proposed from adjacent streets because of its unique configuration and corner location; and

·        impacts to privacy and overlook. 

The ARC appreciated the input from the neighborhood and found that the concerns expressed during the public hearing reinforced staff’s recommendation for denial. Two representatives from Residents for Quality Neighborhoods (RQN) also were present and expressed concerns with the potential negative precedent that approval of the proposed addition would create.   

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast – Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast. 

B.   2007 ARC accomplishments – In anticipation of the upcoming advisory body dinner, the ARC approved a list of projects that they reviewed in 2007 as their annual accomplishments. 

2.           Commission: 

A.        Minutes:  January 28, 2008 – The minutes were approved as submitted. 

B.        Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Architectural Review Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours.