Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

July 21, 2008                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

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

Commr. Howard was absent. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   

The agenda was accepted as presented. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        2747 Broad Street.  ARC 62-08; Review of a seismic retrofit and building remodel in the R-2 zone; Springfield Missionary Baptist, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)

On a 6:0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and noting two potential code requirements.  The Commission had numerous questions of the architect regarding details included on the plans.  The focus of discussion was how proposed materials, colors, and detailing of the façade remodel could be simplified to appear less busy and more in keeping with the building’s streamlined architectural style.  Conditions were added for certain details to be modified and reviewed by Planning staff as part of working drawings.  A large contingent of church supporters was in attendance.  Sandy Jordan, a neighbor of the project, questioned whether there would be asbestos removal with the project and had concerns with the aesthetics of the wheelchair lift.  

2.        3380 S. Higuera Street.  ARC 40-08; Review of proposed 13,000 square-foot bank building in the O-PD zone; Walter Brothers Properties, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

On a 6:0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions.  After a brief discussion, the ARC concluded that the high- quality architectural design was appropriate for the visually-prominent corner location.  

3.        2238 Broad Street.  ARC 70-08; Conceptual review of a revised version of a previously-approved mixed-use project; C-N-H, C-S-H, & C-S-S-H zones; Rick Moses, applicant.  (Pam Ricci) 

On a 5:0 vote (Commr. Duffy recused himself), the ARC continued action to a date uncertain with comments as preliminary direction.  After a brief introduction by staff regarding the changes in the current project as compared to the one previously approved, the applicant provided an extensive presentation on the revised design including a three-dimensional fly-though video. 

The ARC was very impressed with the caliber of the presentation and the thought and detail that had gone into the revised design.  Generally, the reaction to the project changes was positive, especially the reconfiguration of the main street which allows for more open views into the project from Broad Street and eliminates the backs of buildings facing Broad.  Initial direction to the applicant regarding the revised project plans included: 

1.     Volumes within the Main Street buildings should be authentic.  The use of windows and elements giving buildings a two-story exterior appearance that did not match the internal use of space was discouraged. 

2.     Increase the variety of the materials, roof forms, and storefront details of the tenant spaces within the Main Street buildings to make them more distinctive from one another. 

3.    Utilize more detailed cornices within the commercial buildings. 

4.     Introduce more modern details and elements into the outlying residential buildings. 

5.            Make sure that details, such as the finishes for proposed metal elements, are complementary with the base materials of buildings. 

6.            The Commission supported a maximum building height of 44 feet for Building E, the “Signature Building,” given its location in the center of the project and the fact that it accommodated the development of housing units.  

Terry Mohan provided testimony during the public hearing.  He voiced disappointment at the loss of housing units within the project, but was pleased to see that the units would be rental apartments rather than condominiums as previously proposed.  He suggested that the driveway entry to the roundabout area off of Broad Street be in-only and believed that a traffic signal should be installed with the project.

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

a.      Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming August 4^th meeting.  She noted that three commissioners, Zeljka Howard, Jim Duffy, and Greg Wilhelm would be absent from that meeting and stressed the importance that the remaining four commissioners commit to attending the meeting to allow for a quorum of members to be present for the review of the two projects included on that agenda. 

2.           Commission: 

a.     Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

Commr. Palazzo expressed concern with the quality of the plans submitted for the review of Item No. 1, pointing out the difficulty of reading them because of the amount of clutter they included and their inaccuracies.   

Commr. Hopkins questioned whether the colors of the new metal buildings on the south side of Tank Farm Road were consistent with what the ARC had reviewed and approved. 

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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.