Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

August 4, 2008                            Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

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

Commrs. Howard and Duffy were absent. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: 

The order of the agenda was modified to consider Item No. 2 prior to

Item No. 1. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        22 Chorro Street.  ARC 68-08; Conceptual review of a proposed book store and coffee house with 11,221 square feet of floor area; C-N zone; Larry D. Hensley, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

On a 5:0 vote, the ARC continued the item to a date uncertain with directional items outlined in the staff report and additional items identified by the Commission at the meeting.  During public comment, concern was expressed by an adjacent business owner and the developer of the Ferrini Shopping Center across Chorro Street regarding traffic and parking concerns.  There was also concern on the part of the ARC that the proposed storage area may be used for a more intensive purpose in the future and that there would not be adequate parking on the property.  The ARC agreed with staff’s analysis that the proposed architecture would require revisions to comply with the Community Design Guidelines.  The ARC provided feedback to the applicant that an alternative design presented at the hearing, that included a more distinctive architectural style with rounded roofs, was a favored design over the original proposal.  The ARC’s added conditions were for the applicant to provide more information on the business and times of peak parking demand to address concerns over parking adequacy; and to address concerns over light spillage onto adjacent properties from vehicle headlights and parking lot lighting.  

2.        1308 Monterey Street.  ARC 20-08; Review of a mixed-use project with 5 residential units and 8,400 square feet of commercial space and request for 30% mixed and shared-use parking reduction; C-R zone; George Garcia, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

On a 5:0 vote, the ARC approved the project based on findings and subject to conditions of approval as recommended by staff.  The Commission was complementary of the energy-efficient design and found the modern architectural design of the structure to be appropriate for this location along Monterey Street. Following concerns raised in public comment, the ARC asked several questions of staff regarding the findings for approval of the requested shared and mixed-use parking reductions.  Staff explained the findings of approval for the reduction can be met since the project has two or more uses sharing the parking area and peak times of the residential, retail, and office uses are not anticipated to coincide. Following discussion with the applicant and staff, the ARC indicated support for the requested 30% parking reduction and voted to approve the project.  

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

a.      Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming August 18^th meeting.   

2.           Commission: 

a.      Minutes:  July 14 and July 21, 2008 – The minutes of both meetings were approved with minor amendments. 

b.     Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

Commr. Palazzo suggested that the City look into the possibility of using electronic plans rather than hard copies to help save paper.  The Commission then asked that water bottles not be provided for them at meetings to reduce the amount of plastic bottles that need to be recycled. 

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 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.