Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

April 2, 2006                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

OATHS OF OFFICE:      Swearing in reappointed Commissioner Greg Wilhelm, and new Commissioner Jason Kambitsis 

City Clerk Audrey Hooper administered the oath of office to returning Commissioner Wilhelm and new Commissioner Kambitsis. 

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

All of the Commissioners were present. 

ELECTION:         

Michael Boudreau was re-elected as Chairperson and Allen Root was re-elected as the Vice Chair. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  

The agenda was accepted as submitted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        852 Higuera Street. ARCMI 22-07; Review of modifications to an approved building façade including changes to the color palette and signage; C-D-H zone; Gary Wallace, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 6-1 vote (Commr. Howard voting no), the ARC granted final approval to the façade remodel, based on findings, and subject to conditions and a code requirement.  The brightness of the yellow color on the building was discussed, but was found acceptable to a majority of the Commission because of the relatively small size of the building face.  Signage was the main point of discussion with the applicant pointing out that the two smaller projecting signs had recently been vandalized and removed.  The applicant had suggested that since these two signs were already gone that they would be the logical choices to be permanently removed to have building signage in compliance with City requirements.  The ARC agreed with this and limited signage to one painted wall sign, a window sign and a large projecting sign mounted on the transom. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

2.        Staff: 

A.        Agenda Forecast – Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming 4-16-07 meeting. 

B.        Running More Effective Meetings – Staff and the ARC reviewed the general guidelines for discussion and meeting procedures in detail, citing particular examples of issues that have come up in the past and lessons learned from those experiences.  The consensus was that it was a very valuable exercise and that they were committed as a group to continue to run positive and efficient meetings. 

3.        Commission: 

A.        Minutes: March 5 and 19, 2007 – the minutes were both approved, with a minor revision to March 5^th minutes. 

B.        Biennial Review of ARC Bylaws – the ARC did not recommend any changes to the bylaws. 

C.       Selection of a representative to the Tree Committee – Chairperson Boudreau offered to serve on the Tree Committee from April through September with Vice Chair Root taking over in October. 

D.       Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

Commr. Wilhelm commented on the color of the new Bishop water tank, noting that it seemed lighter and more visible than he anticipated.  Pam Ricci noted that she would follow up on this and determine if the final color was applied to the tank. 

Commr. Palazzo mentioned that the city of Manchester, New Hampshire had done a good job of integrating new taller buildings into its downtown. He indicated that he could provide some photos of the downtown to share with the ARC.  As a follow-up to the recent study session on utility equipment in street yards, he also reported that the City of Napa requires all back flow devices to be painted a dark green color. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 16, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.