Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

February 19, 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:   

Jan Howell Marx noted that the proper environmental review process needed to be followed for the proposed parking lot at Mitchell Park.  She mentioned that the CHC’s action to find the project inconsistent with the park master plan because of impacts to a historic resource created the circumstances requiring a more extensive environmental review process. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        11980 Los Osos Valley Road.  ARC 7-07; Conceptual review of a new commercial retail center on the GAP property known as Prefumo Creek Commons; Irish Hills Plaza East, LLC, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)

On a 7:0 vote, the ARC continued action on the request to a date uncertain with direction.  The project design team provided an extensive presentation on their proposed site plan and building design.  Commission direction followed staff report recommendations to further break up the parking lots, use the creek as a site amenity, improve pedestrian circulation and add a masonry wall as a buffer to the neighborhood to the north. 

Two neighbors spoke at the hearing.  Theodora Jones was concerned with the proposed bridge and noise and traffic impacts to the neighborhood.  She objected to pedestrian access because of transient problems and wanted to see gates installed at night to the parking lot.  Dave Gibson noted his appreciation for the proposed landscaped buffer between the project and neighborhood but felt that it was not enough to make the project neighborhood friendly.  Jan Howell Marx of Citizens for Planning Responsibly (CPR) reinforced the General Plan requirement that 50% of the project site be left in open space and noted her opposition to any off-site mitigation to compensate for the loss of open space.  She wanted to see porous paving used where possible in the parking lots and was opposed to an automobile bridge over the creek.  Rosemary Wilbert, CPR President, voiced concerns with the project meeting open space requirements and the proposed realignment of the creek.

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

A.    Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast.  She also       distributed a Notice of Availability for the Garden Street Terraces Project EIR. 

2.           Commission: 

A.        Minutes:  February 4, 2008 – The minutes were approved with a minor amendment.

B.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 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.