Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

March 17, 2008                            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 

Commr. Palazzo was absent. 

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.        888 Ricardo Street.  ARCPA 190-03. Review of public art for a previously approved project; M zone, Quaglino Properties, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 5:0:2 vote (Commr. Palazzo absent and Vice Chair Root recused himself as the designer of the piece), the ARC found that the public art meets the criteria for public art and approved the art installation project, based on findings, and subject to conditions:  The Commission applauded the applicant’s commitment to the project and found that the riparian motif of the art piece was both beautiful and pertinent to its creek setting. 

2.        1310 Foothill Boulevard.   ARC 200-07. Demolition of existing apartments and a conceptual review of 16 new two bedroom residential units; R-3 zone, SLO Investments, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

The ARC discussion focused on ways to improve the streetscape appearance of the project, add more interest to the repetitive design of the buildings, and soften the appearance of the long, central project driveway.  On a 6:0:1 vote (Commr. Palazzo absent), the Commission continued the item to a date uncertain with the following direction. 

1. Orient the front units towards the street and include entries and front porch areas that are oriented towards, and accessible from, the sidewalk.
2. Utilize alternative materials such as bricks, pavers, colored concrete, or turf block to create an attractive driveway for its total extent.
3. Modify building elevations to add variety in color.
4. Modify the orientation and massing on all of the end units of buildings to create additional interest and diversity in the project design.
5. Consider pursuing a street yard reduction in order to maximize the size of the open space areas provided in the project.
    
6. Consolidate and move the trash and recycling enclosure to one side of the property or the other so that it does not dominate the streetscape of the site.  The enclosure shall be designed so that it does not interfere with walkways leading to front entries or interfere with the views of the entries from the street.

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

2.        Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the 4-7-08 meeting noting that the meeting would be held in the Council Chambers to accommodate the larger public audience expected for the Mitchell Park parking lot item. 

3.        Commission: 

A.    Minutes: March 3, 2008. The minutes were approved as submitted.

       B.    Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned

Commr. Howard questioned the amount of vibrant red used in the elevations of recently-built projects.  She asked staff for confirmation that the project planner inspects projects for compliance with the colors boards approved by the ARC, which Pam Ricci affirmed was the case. 

ADJOURNMENT                                           

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 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.