Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

September 4, 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 

Chairperson Boudreau and Vice Chair Root were absent. 

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.           1010 Murray Avenue.    ARC and V 118-07;  Review of a 45,000 square-foot, 3-story medical office building including a variance to allow a building height of 42 feet where a maximum height of 35 feet is allowed; O zone; Healthcare Development Partner, applicant. (Pam Ricci) 

On a 4-1-2 vote (Commr. Kambitsis voting no), the ARC granted final approval to the project including a Variance to allow a building height of up to 42 feet, based on findings, and subject to conditions and previously approved mitigation measures.  ARC discussion focused on ways to lessen the boxy appearance of the building and better highlight the entry.  The Commission felt that the modified elevations presented at the meeting were much improved over those included in packets, but that further refinements were needed to the building design.  To this end, the ARC added conditions to improve on the canopy design making it more interesting and distinctive, as well as functional, and using colors and vertical design elements as tools to further reduce the scale and massing of the building. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

2.           Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the 9-17-07 meeting. 

3.           Commission: 

A.        Minutes: August 20, 2007 - The minutes were approved with a minor amendment. 

       B.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

       There was general discussion regarding accepting changes to plans from applicants at the meeting.  A majority agreed that it was acceptable to follow this practice, but still at the ARC’s discretion as to whether revised plans went far enough in responding to issues or if additional time was necessary for both staff and the Commission to evaluate changes.  Commr. Palazzo noted that hard copies of revised plans should be submitted to all commissioners in addition to PowerPoint images to refer to while discussing the project and for staff to have as documentation for the file. 

       Commr. Hopkins and Palazzo noted that they would both be absent at the next meeting on September 17^th. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.