Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

March 19, 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 

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.        1617 Santa Rosa Street. ARC/MOD 19-06; Review of modifications to allow a two-level caretaker’s quarter along the west side of the Hostel Obispo; R-3-H zone; Elaine Simer, applicant.  (Jaime Hill) 

On a 7-0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project modifications, based on findings, and subject to conditions.  The Commission’s discussion focused on elements that could be incorporated into the project design to address noise and privacy concerns of the adjacent neighbors to the northwest.  The ARC added conditions to include a screening wall around a portion of the deck area at the top of the stairs, incorporate a solid wall instead of an opening railing on the stairwell, install noise-attenuating construction for the treads of the stairs, and add two gates to limit access to the external stairwell.  Another condition was added to require the installation of landscaping in street yard areas affected by the construction project.   

Neighbor Bob Anderson submitted a letter and spoke at the hearing.  He voiced concerns with the proximity of the stairwell to his property in terms of light, noise and privacy.  He appreciated the ideas that the ARC came up with at the meeting to address his concerns and those of his adjacent neighbors Paul and Jannie Taylor. 

2.        Citywide.  ARC 38-07; Study session to discuss draft solid waste guidelines and utility features in street yards in anticipation of approving revisions to the Community Design Guidelines.  (Pam Ricci) 

Consistent with the ARC’s 2007-2009 Budget Goals, a study session was held to discuss solid waste facilities and various utility features in street yards.  Pam Ricci provided a brief overview of the effort to develop the solid waste guidelines; she noted that they provide the development community with the parameters on type, size, and location of solid waste facilities for various types of land uses. She added that the guidelines would eventually be added as Appendix B to the overall Community Design Guidelines (CDG), and explained that there were a few minor edits to the text of the CDG recommended.  Ron Munds of the Utilities Departments provided a PowerPoint presentation on solid waste facilities highlighting some of the mandates from State law and outlining the many factors that affect locating these facilities.  Dan Gilmore followed by providing a detailed presentation on backflow preventers and other types of utility equipment found in street yards, focusing on requirements that affect their location and available techniques to screen them.  Both presentations showed both good and bad examples of installations.  Doug Dowden of the Utilities Department, who did much of the leg work pulling together the draft guidelines, and Tom Martin of San Luis Garbage Company also participated in the presentation and discussion.  

On a 7-0 vote, the ARC approved the solid waste guidelines and recommended changes and additions to the Community Design Guidelines, based on findings. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.        Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the 4-2-07 meeting, noting that it would include a number of housekeeping items, including oaths for new and reappointed Commissioners, election of a chair and vice-chair, selection of a representative to the Tree Committee, and review of the ARC’s bylaws. 

4.        Commission: 

       A.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The ARC thanked departing Commissioner Jim Lopes for his 8 years of service on the ARC. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.