Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

July 14, 2008                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

OATH OF OFFICE:  Swearing in new Commissioner Chris Weber. 

Audrey Hooper, City Clerk, administered the oath of office to new Commissioner Chris Weber. 

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

Commr. Hopkins was absent. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   

The Comment & Discussion items were handled in between Public Hearing Items 1 & 2. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        1010 Broad Street.  ARC 111-02; Review of a new Art Center building at the corner of Broad and Monterey Streets; C-D-H-S zone; San Luis Obispo Art Center, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Following an extensive presentation by staff and the project architect, the ARC listened to public testimony that supported the design theme of the Art Center.  Staff discussed the policy implications of supporting the proposed design and the findings that must be crafted in order to make a recommendation.  The Commissioners agreed that a contemporary design would better accomplish the building’s purpose as a cultural, artistic facility but also felt that additional attention to design detail, especially rhythm and human scale, was needed on the Broad and Monterey Street elevations.  The Commission voted 6:0:1 to continue the item to a date uncertain with the following direction: 

1.      Provide complete, colored views of all sides of the building that illustrate building details and materials. 

2.      Additional consideration shall be given to how the building meets the ground. 

3.      A contemporary design is appropriate; however, additional human scale shall be incorporated into the Broad and Monterey Street elevations.  A specific historical style need not be applied; however, components of the proposed building design such as rhythm, massing, fenestration, colors, and materials should better complement the site’s historic setting. 

2.        City-wide.  ARC 49-06; Review form-based codes for the South Broad Street Corridor Plan; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.  (Jeff Hook) 

Staff provided a summary of the changes made to the draft plan in response to advisory body, focus group, and citizen input as well as an overview of the organization of the draft plan and form-based codes.  The Commissioners expressed support for the new format of the plan and requested that additional graphics and images be provided to illustrate the design concepts.  The Commission discussed the architectural styles in the plan and expressed a desire for authenticity in architecture for the area. 

Two members of the public spoke – one in support of the plan and one who expressed concerns about the plan’s impact on existing manufacturing businesses. 

The Commission discussed the public process for the plan’s review and the design elements of the draft plan and acted to continue the discussion to the August 18, 2008, ARC meeting. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

a.      Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming July 21^st and August 4^th meetings.  Zeljka Howard noted that she would be absent from the 7/21, 8/4 & 8/18 meetings.  Both Jim Duffy & Greg Wilhelm noted that they would not be at the 8/4 meeting. 

2.           Commission: 

a.      Minutes:  June 16, 2008 - The minutes were approved as prepared. 

b.     Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned – None discussed. 

ADJOURNMENT 

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, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours.