Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

May 21, 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 

All of the Commissioners were present. 

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.           1880 Santa Barbara Avenue.  ARC 44-07;  Review of seismic retrofitting of the historic Railroad Square building and proposed new buildings to the north and south;  C-R-S-H  zone; Depot Square LP, applicant. (Pam Ricci) 

On a 6-1 vote (Commr. Palazzo voting no), the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  George Garcia, the project architect, provided a very detailed PowerPoint presentation showing existing conditions, motivations for the architectural design of the new buildings, site planning and seismic retrofit components.  ARC discussion focused on the recommendations from the CHC regarding a more open design of a new canopy feature on the east (railroad) side of the Railroad Square building   The Commission supported the contemporary design of the new replacement buildings proposed to the north and south of the Railroad Square building as being clearly distinct from the main historical structure.  They also agreed with the proposed setbacks of the new buildings from the main building allowing for more open side views of the historic structure, and the fact that the new buildings would be lower in scale than the historic structure when viewed from the street. 

Public comment was received from Bob Schrage who voiced a concern with properly dealing with roof drainage, David Brodie who felt that the new buildings would be out of character with the historic district, and Peter Danciart who applauded the fresh, contemporary approach to the architecture of the new buildings, rather than replicating the main historic resource. 

2.           Downtown Core Area.  R/TA 50-06; Review of proposed changes to the City’s Community Design Guidelines relating to building height in the downtown core; City of SLO, applicant.  (Michael Codron) 

The Architectural Review Commission heard a presentation on proposed revisions to the Community Design Guidelines dealing with architectural transitions between buildings.  The update is called for by Land Use Element Program 4.21, which was adopted by the City Council in February as part of the downtown building height project. The presentation included a demonstration of a three-dimensional computer model of existing buildings downtown.  The Council Hearing Room was full for the meeting, and public testimony was provided by nine members of the audience.  The ARC discussed the recommended changes line by line and considered input provided by the Cultural Heritage Committee, which reviewed the update on April 23^rd.  The ARC provided direction to staff on several changes to be made before the final document returns for a recommendation to the City Council. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.           Staff: 

A.       Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming

       6-4-07 and 6-18-07 meetings.  

4.           Commission: 

A.       Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

Chairperson Boudreau mentioned that the roof of a recently built home along Loomis Street near Highway 101 was very reflective.  Commr.  Palazzo recommended that ARC members focus on the design guidelines section of documents for their upcoming review of the Broad Street Corridor plan.  Commr. Kambitsis mentioned the New Times article about the façade remodel on Garden Street that was done without proper City review. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.