Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

April 3, 2006                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

OATHS OF OFFICE:

Deputy City Clerk Julie O’Connor administered oaths of office to reappointed Commissioner Allen Root and new Commissioners Steven Hopkins and Anthony Palazzo 

ROLL CALL:        Commrs. Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, Anthony Palazzo, Greg Wilhelm, Steven Hopkins, Vice-Chair Allen Root, and Chairperson Michael Boudreau 

All commissioners were present. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  

Agenda was accepted as proposed.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:  

There was no public comment. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   919 Palm Street.   ARC 193-01; Discussion of possible changes to the Morro Street elevation of the Palm/Morro Office/Parking Structure; C-D zone; Copelands Properties, LLC., applicant. (To be continued to April 17, 2006)(Pam Ricci) 

Item was continued without discussion 

2.   328 Marsh Street. ARC 230-04; Architectural review of a remodel of a service station, changing service bays to a convenience store, and site improvements including signage; C-R zone; Chevron Products Co., applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

The Architectural Review Commission approved the proposed remodel on a 5-2 vote based on findings and subject to conditions and code requirements. Commissioners Lopes and Howard did not agree with the philosophy of a prominent gas station at this location unless the entire site was to be modified to conceal the fuel islands. The Commission agreed with staff that the corner landscape planter should not be diminished in size and should instead be increased in size. Commissioners approved a staff recommended project condition that requires the elimination of the southerly driveway on Marsh Street. The elimination of the driveway creates the opportunity for an additional street tree and allows the corner landscape planter to be increased in size. The applicant testified that the driveway could not be deleted for vehicular and truck access and that they did not agree with the condition. Commissioners also discussed minor changes to the storefront architecture and added conditions to require minor façade changes. 

3.   4450 Broad Street. ARC 194-05; Conceptual review of a proposed business park development including a total of 74,883 square feet of new commercial floor area; C-S zone; VFP-Broad Street LLC., applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Staff presented the project and directed the ARC to refine their discussion to the conceptual review items outlined in the staff report.  Commissioners focused the discussion on the importance of the scenic corridor and the design of the buildings fronting Broad Street. In general, commissioners favored the project design but wanted to see a greater variety of materials and colors throughout the development. Minor changes to exterior materials and finishes were recommended. Additionally, the ARC discouraged the use of an electronic message center sign. The applicant generally agreed with staff recommended conditions and said they would return to ARC with a proposal as recommended including a plan for a pedestrian path within the creek setback area at the rear of the site.  The ARC also asked the applicant to prepare a photo-simulation of the project as viewed from the driving lane on Broad Street in order to properly evaluate the scenic corridor impacts.  On a 7-0 vote the ARC continued the item to a date uncertain with a list of direction items for the applicant. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

4.   Staff:

A.  Agenda Forecast 

Staff discussed the April 17^th agenda and noted that the 919 Palm Street building would be discussed at that time.  

5.   Commission: 

       A.    Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The ARC commented that the lights on the flag pole near KSBY had not been shielded. 

The meeting ADJOURNED at 8:25 to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 17, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.