Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

September 17, 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 

Commrs. Palazzo and Hopkins 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.           Buena Vista Avenue and Garfield Street at Monterey Street.    ARC 140-07;   Review of a concept plan showing improvements including landscaping and a monument sign at the intersection; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Pam Ricci) 

On a 5-0-2 vote, the ARC granted approval to the concept plan showing landscaping and monument signs as enhancements to the recovered right-of-way at the intersection of Buena Vista & Garfield at Monterey Street, based on findings, and subject to conditions.  Jake Hudson, project engineer, provided a presentation outlining the history of collisions at the intersection, Council review of the situation and direction, changes already made to the intersection, and those changes contemplated to the intersection with plan implementation.  Initially, the ARC’s comments focused on incorporating benches or other seating features into the project design.  However, after hearing from Pragna Patel and William Watson speaking on the behalf of hotel owners in the area that seating would encourage vagrancy near businesses, the Commission did not require seating features in the project.  The ARC did support the installation of an integrated public art feature into the project and encouraged staff to accelerate the review process to the degree feasible. They also suggested a single monument sign on the south side of the intersection near the Chevron station that incorporated signage into both faces. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

2.         Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the 10-1-07 meeting. 

3.         Commission: 

A.        Minutes: September 4, 2007 (amend or approve) - The minutes were approved as submitted. 

       B.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned