Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

April 6, 2009                        Monday                                       5:00 p.m.

OATH OF OFFICE:  Swearing in new Commissioner Suzan Ehdaie 

City Clerk Audrey Hooper administered the oath of office to new Commissioner Suzan Ehdaie 

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Jim Duffy, Suzan Ehdaie, Steven Hopkins, Anthony Palazzo, Chris Weber, Vice-Chair Greg Wilhelm, and Chairperson Allen Root 

Commr.  Weber was absent. 

ELECTION:        Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson 

Allen Root was elected as Chairperson and Anthony Palazzo was 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.    4200 S. Higuera Street.  ARCPA 15-09; Review of proposed art piece at Montessori School along the South Higuera Street frontage; R-1-PD zone; Mary Kern, applicant.  (Brian Leveille)

On a 6:0 vote, the ARC approved the proposed art piece, based on findings, and subject to a condition.  Artist Jim Jacobson presented a maquette of the dove sculpture and described proposed materials.  Mary Kern explained how the dove theme representing peace was selected as a symbol for the school

2.    1865 Monterey Street.  ARC 1-09; Conceptual review of new hotel building with 105 rooms in the C-T-S zone; Equinox Hotel Partners, applicant.  (James David)

After a lengthy discussion, the ARC on a 6:0 vote, continued action on the project to a date uncertain with 12 directional items outlining needed revisions to plans to provide a less massive appearing project that complied with the Community Design Guidelines, applicable property development standards of the zoning regulations, and City Council Ordinance No. 1130 (1989 Series) that provides special standards for projects on the east side of Monterey Street adjacent to San Luis Creek. 

Several neighbors spoke at the hearing outlining a variety of concerns with the proposed design including building scale, relationship to the creek, parking lot glare, noise impacts, screening, and tree removals.  The Commission added a directional item in response to the neighbors’ concerns to have some type of physical facsimile of the building constructed using story poles or a visual simulation prepared to help illustrate the aesthetic impacts and scale of the project to residents across the creek.

3.    328 Marsh Street.  ARC/MOD 230-04; Modify architectural plans for approved service station remodel for new convenience store; C-R zone; Mission Station, Inc., applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)

On a 6:0 vote, the ARC approved a modification to a previously-approved plan to remodel the main service station building, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  The ARC supported the changes to rebuild the building at the property line in an architectural style more in keeping with historic structures that existed on the site.  The Commission discussed ways that the existing pump island that would remain could be modified to better complement the new building. 

4.   1321 and 1327 Osos Street.  ARC 102-07; Final review of a new mixed-use project with about 8,800 square feet of office space and 11 residential units; O-H & R-3-H zones; Mission Medical Partners, applicant.  (Pam Ricci)

On a 5:1 vote (Vice-Chair Palazzo voting no), the ARC granted final approval to the Pacific Courtyards Project, based on findings, and subject to conditions.  Commission discussion focused on changes to the rooflines of the building, railing and window details, and the proposed corrugated metal roofing.  Staff was concerned that the proposed roofing material was not in keeping with the New Victorian architectural style, but the Commission supported the change in materials from composition to corrugated metal as being compatible with the proposed architectural style as well as the project’s historical district setting. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.     Staff: 

a.   Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming 4-20-09 meeting. 

2.     Commission: 

a.  Minutes:  March 16, 2009 - The minutes were approved as submitted.

b.     Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The Commission strongly recommended that staff continue efforts to reduce the amount of paper delivered to them with packets, agendas, and other mail. 

ADJOURNMENT   

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 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 Department, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours.