Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

May 2, 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 commissioners were present.

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: 

Agenda was accepted as proposed.

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

There was no public comment.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1.   3440 South Higuera Street.  ARC 46-05; Review of the proposed Bill Roalman Memorial and its relationship with the proposed City Bike Path; C-S-S zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Neil Havlik)

Commissioners listened to student presentations regarding the proposed memorial site and offered the following feedback on the conceptual design:

1. Return with a phasing plan that identifies how the project will be implemented and include additional information regarding long term maintenance.

2. Include more information about Bill Roalman in the memorial.

2.   174 Suburban Road. ARC 5-05; Review of two new commercial structures in the C-S-S zone; KDS Enterprises, applicant. (Continued from April 4, 2005) (Buzz Kalkowski)

Item was continued to a date uncertain at the applicant’s request.

3.    1404 Chorro Street. ARC 187-02; Review of a new 4 unit residential condominium project; R-4-H zone; John Swift, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore)

Following extensive discussion regarding building height and mass, neighborhood compatibility, and loss of curbside parking, the commissioners unanimously voted to approve the project with the following changes:

1. Consider utilizing a monochromatic or single muted color scheme rather than brighter, different colors.

2. Explore options and consider design exceptions that will allow the preservation of as much curbside parking as possible. Options to be explored include stop signs at Pismo/Morro Street or Pismo/Chorro Street, widened sidewalk bulb-outs, or crosswalks.  The Public Works Division shall review such improvements prior to issuance of a construction permit for the project.

3. Consider additional architectural embellishments on the Chorro Street elevation.

Commissioners voiced concern over the loss of curbside parking at this important downtown location and felt that other public improvements such as a stop sign, wider sidewalk bulb-outs, and crosswalks could be incorporated on Pismo Street in order to reduce traffic impacts and save additional curbside parking.  It was felt that elimination of curbside parking would result in a wider street and increased vehicle speeds.

COMMENT & DISCUSSION:

5.        Staff:

A.   Agenda Forecast

Staff discussed returning projects such as the proposed Cinderella Carpets Mixed-Use project and the Watson apartments at Mill and Chorro Streets.

6.        Commission:

    A.       Minutes: April 4, 2005 and April 18, 2005.

    B.       Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned

ADJOURN to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday May 16, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.