Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

April 4, 2005                Monday                               5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Commrs. Allen Root, Jim Lopes, David Smith, Greg Wilhelm, Charles Stevenson, Vice-Chair , Michael Boudreau and Chairperson Zeljka Howard

All of the Commissioners were present.

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: 

The “Comment & Discussion” portion of the meeting was taken in advance of Item No. 3.

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1.   962 Monterey Street. ARC MI 20-05;   Architectural review of seismic retrofit and street level façade (window) modification of a two-story masonry building; C-D-H zone; Copeland Enterprises, applicant. (Pam Ricci)

On a 7-0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions.  ARC-approved conditions related primarily to building details to make the façade remodel of the lower floor more compatible with the original elements of the second floor.  Conditions included: extending the storefront door jams through the transom window; using flat finish ceramic tile for the bulkhead in a complementary color to the building colors with consideration for accent tiles of a different color; adding a pre-cast concrete, or similar substantial material, to the base of the existing steel columns; adding embellishments to the columns at the head, transom and sill to add interest and ornamentation; selecting a color for new storefront and windows frames other than black, such as dark brown, to coordinate with second-story windows; using a steel, rather than aluminum storefront system; and further dividing transom windows of the new storefront with muntins to tie in with the upper floor windows. 

2.   2005 Dalidio Drive. ARC PA 108-02; Review of Public Art for the proposed SLO Marketplace project; SLO Marketplace Assoc, LLC, applicant. (Pam Ricci)

On a 7-0 vote, the ARC continued action on the proposed artwork to a date uncertain with direction to provide an enlarged site plan of the pedestrian plaza area where the art would be installed including adjacent building footprints, hardscape materials, landscaping, and lighting.  The ARC felt that the artwork itself was well thought out and captures the spirit of San Luis Obispo’s history.  However, they concluded that the requested information was essential for them to determine whether the bas-relief monuments would be properly integrated into the setting.

3.   174 Suburban Road. ARC 5-05; Review of two new commercial structures; C-S-S zone; KDS Enterprises, applicant. (Buzz Kalkowski) (Continued from March 14, 2005)

On a 6-0-1 vote (Chairperson Stevenson refrained from participating in the discussion of the item because his wife’s family had an interest in the project), the ARC continued action on the proposed project to a date uncertain with direction.  The main point of discussion was the rather stark appearance of the project from street views given the prominence of proposed overhead doors. Direction included modifying the south elevations of Buildings 100 & 200 to de-emphasize their service appearance by techniques such as using overhead doors with upper windows, extending the shed roof over the doors, adding canopies over the doors, or replacing the overhead doors with storefronts. The Commission also wanted to see more architectural variety provided in the street elevations of Buildings 100 & 200, rather than utilizing mirror images.  Other direction included extending the bulkhead along all sides of buildings, except where there is a zero-property line situation, and providing larger supporting columns for canopies.

COMMENT & DISCUSSION:

4.        Staff:

A.   Agenda Forecast

Pam Ricci provided an Agenda Forecast.

5.         Commission:

   A.       Minutes: February 22, 2005.

The minutes were approved as submitted.

    B.       Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned

Due to the late hour, no specific projects were discussed.

   C.      Elections – Elect an ARC Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year.

Zeljka Howard was elected Chairperson and Michael Boudreau was elected as Vice Chairperson.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the Planning Conference Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.