Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

April 16, 2007                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

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

Vice Chair Root and Commrs. Howard and Hopkins were absent. 

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.        3971 So. Higuera Street. ARC-S 40-07; Review of a shopping center sign program; C-C zone; M Timm Development, applicant. (Jaime Hill) 

On a 4-0-3 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the sign program, based on findings, and subject to conditions.  The design and scale of a proposed replacement shopping center identification sign was the focus of the ARC’s discussion.  The ARC agreed with staff that the alternative designs presented to enable additional tenant faces to be displayed on the sign were unsightly and overly massive in appearance.  The ARC concluded that there was not a compelling reason to modify the shopping center identification sign at this time since there was not a demonstrated need for more than one additional anchor sign face to be added to the sign. 

2.        1327 Archer Street. ARC 189-06; Review of proposed renovation and a new second story addition to an existing unreinforced masonry building; C-S zone;  Specialty Construction, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 3-1-3 vote (Commr. Plazzo voting no), the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  A majority of the Commission supported the applicant’s current design proposal which had a more residential appearance to fit in with the context of the neighborhood.  Discussion focused on the range of wood and manufactured products with a wood appearance that would be appropriate on the building.  Conditions were added to specify appropriate siding choices and shielded lighting. 

In addition to a presentation by the applicant team of Aron Kahn and Carol Florence, and input from the applicant Rudy Bachman, there was testimony from three members of the public.  Neighbor Victoria Brian expressed concern with added glare and the loss of sunlight and views.  David Brodie mentioned that the design of the parking lot should be sensitive to global warming concerns by considering the use of alternative paving materials and the installation of additional trees.  Paula Carr expressed concern that the potential historic and archaeological issues at the site had been adequately addressed. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.        Staff: 

A.     Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming 5-7-07 meeting. 

B.     Discussion of a date for a Commission retreat – Pam Ricci asked the ARC to look at their calendars for a weeknight prior to July from 6-9:00 p.m. for a retreat. She mentioned that there would be a set agenda and a facilitator hired to assist staff and the Commission in their discussion of selected issues.  She encouraged the Commission members to suggest ideas for discussion topics. 

C.   Discussion of story-poles – At the request of David Brodie, this topic was added to the agenda as a discussion item.  Mr. Brodie mentioned that he has not seen story poles used in the City to illustrate the potential height of planned projects for many years and that it might be an effective tool to give the general public a better sense of the planned scale of new buildings.  Elizabeth Abrahams was concerned about tools that could provide a better physical impression of planned height, especially in the area of the downtown near the Mission.  Paula Carr mentioned that cumulative impacts of taller buildings need to be examined in terms of their impacts to the streetscape and to help maintain the downtown’s “sense of place”. 

Staff and the Commission talked with the members of the public present about the variety of available techniques to give an accurate representation of the height, form and overall scale of planned buildings, including photo simulations and 3-D modeling.  Commission members pointed out that story poles are not effective tools to illustrating the height of taller buildings over two or three stories and are primarily used for new single-family homes and additions.  Public members were invited back to share their ideas and concerns when the topic of possible changes to the zoning regulations related to building height were discussed (tentatively scheduled for 5-21-07). 

4.        Commission: 

A.        Minutes: April 2, 2007  - The minutes were approved with a minor amendment. 

       B.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. o a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, May 7, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.