Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

February 20, 2007                            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 

Vice-Chair Root was absent 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: The order of the agenda was not modified. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  There was no public content other than on regular agenda items. 

STAFF PRESENTATION:             Overview of Development Review Process Upgrade (Doug             Davidson) 

Deputy Director Davidson provided the ARC with a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the key components of the development review process.  He used the project plan to discuss overall project objectives and steps in the upgrade process. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        1327 Archer Street. ARC 189-06; Review of proposed renovation and a new second story addition to an existing unreinforced masonry (URM) building; C-S zone; Rudy Bachmann, Specialty Construction, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

At the request of the applicant, this item was continued without discussion to a date uncertain. 

2.        1160 Leff Street. ARC 1-04; Review of a new 4-unit residential development;        R-3 zone; De La Rosa Properties, applicant.  (Jaime Hill) 

Following a brief presentation by staff and the applicant, and receiving and reading a letter from Bina Harrison, owner of 1159 Islay, the ARC discussed the requested setback reduction, and tandem parking, and how the project would fit with the historical character of the neighborhood. On a 5-0 vote (Vice-Chair Root was absent and Commissioner Hopkins recused himself), the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  In general, the ARC agreed that the changes made to the site plan and building design responded to the direction that they previously provided on February 6, 2006.  The ARC added three conditions regarding the architectural details, horizontal siding, and roof color.   

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.        Staff: 

A.  Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the 2-20-07 meeting.  She also mentioned that the ARC subcommittee, who is working with staff on additional guidelines related to taller buildings in the downtown, would be having their kick-off meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2007.  She reminded the ARC that there will be an opening on the Architectural Review Committee when Commr. Lopes’ term ends at the end of March. 

4.        Commission: 

A.  Minutes: February 5, 2007 – The minutes were approved as submitted.

B.  Status Update on the South Broad Street Corridor Focus Group.

Commr.  Palazzo provided a report of the predominantly land use oriented discussion from the last meeting or the group. 

     C.  Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

       Commr. Wilhelm asked the other Commissioners what they thought of the façade remodel for Thai Palace on Court Street, remarking on the brightness of the tiles.  Commr. Palazzo expressed that he liked the energy of the changes.  Others felt that the vibrancy of the changes helped enliven the pedestrian street. 

       Commr. Lopes asked about the checker-board pattern and the lighting fixtures for the new office complex at the corner of Broad Street and Tank Farm Road behind the Shell Station.  Pam Ricci indicated that the checker-board pattern had been approved by the ARC, but that she would check with Phil Dunsmore about the lighting fixtures. 

       Several Commissioners mentioned that they thought that the new Cinderella Carpets building looked like it was built very close to the street. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.