Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

May 15, 2006                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

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

All of the Commissioners were present. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Commissioners or staff may modify the order of items. 

The order of the agenda was not modified. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   2932 Augusta Street. ARC 159-05; Review of 9 residential condominiums; R-4 zone; Steno-Wolf associates, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore)  

On a vote of 7 to 0, the Commission continued the item to a date certain, June 5^th, 2006, the allow the Public Works Department to review the project changes. 

2.    Review of three new single-family homes in the Bowden Ranch development and a new subdivision identification sign, including:  

a.   1618 Woodland Drive.  ARC MI 25-06; Review of a new single-family dwelling; R-1-S zone; Mangano Homes, applicant. (Tyler Corey)  

b.   1860 Wilding Lane.   ARC MI 24-06; Review of a new single-family dwelling; R-1-S zone; Mangano Homes, applicant. (Tyler Corey) 

c.   1850 Wilding Lane.   ARC MI 23-06; Review of a new single-family dwelling; R-1-S zone Mangano Homes, applicant. (Tyler Corey) 

On a vote of 7 to 0, the Commission approved home designs for three new single-family residences (Lots 1-3 of the Bowden Ranch Development) on sensitive sites in the R-1-S zone located on the northeast corner of the Wilding/Woodland intersection, and a subdivision identification sign, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements. Discussion focused on whether a subdivision identification sign was appropriate for the project or if the existing retaining head wall located at the Lizzie/Wilding intersection should be stained and landscaped without signage.  The Commission also cited concerns with the apparent massing of the proposed residence on Lot 2 as viewed from Wilding Lane, given the topography of the site.  Ultimately, the project was conditioned to allow the applicant to decide whether signage would be placed on the existing wall, which was limited to lettering and a graphic swoop, and that the Queen Palm trees proposed on Lot 2 were to be changed to screen trees to help reduce the verticality of the Wilding Lane building elevation.    

3.   1045 Foothill Boulevard. ARC 234-04; Review of Sierra Vista Hospital expansion, including a four-story tower addition and a five-level parking structure; O zone: John Hollander, applicant. (Whitney McIlvaine)  

On a vote of 6 to 0 (Commissioner Boudreau recused himself), the Commission granted final approval to a new trauma tower addition to the existing hospital building and to a new 520 car garage at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Casa Street.  As the hearing body taking final action on the project, the ARC also approved the project’s Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact. Discussion focused on ways to improve compatibility between the existing hospital buildings and the proposed addition. Commissioners also discussed project lighting and landscaping, given the surrounding residential and office uses and the extensive redesign of the surface parking areas proposed as part of the overall hospital master plan. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

4.        Staff: 

A.       Agenda Forecast 

Planner Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming meetings. 

5.        Commission: 

       A.    Minutes: May 1, 2006 (amend or approve) 

The minutes were approved as submitted. 

B.       Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

ADJOURN:  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, June 5, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.