Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

September 18, 2006                            Monday                            5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, Anthony Palazzo, Greg Wilhelm, Steven Hopkins, Vice-Chair Allen Root, and Chairperson Michael Boudreau 

All of the Commissioners were present. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Commissioners or staff may modify the order of items. 

Since the applicants for Item # 1 were late, Staff presented an overview of the ARC Goals and Financial Plan Schedule for 2007-2009 prior to the two public hearing items 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   151 N. Santa Rosa Drive. ARC 238-05; Review for remodel of existing service station; C-R-S  zone; Chevron Products Co., applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Following a brief discussion regarding the previous ARC comments, and how the applicant has modified the project, the ARC unanimously voted to approve the project based on findings and subject to conditions and code requirements.  

2.   4450 and 4460 Broad Street. ARC 194-05; Review of a proposed sign program for a business park development including a total of 74,883 sq. ft. of new commercial floor area; C-S zone; VFP-Broad Street, LLC, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Following an extensive staff presentation regarding the characteristics of each of the signs, the applicant provided an extensive presentation in an attempt to justify the use of a large pole sign with an electronic message center (EMC). The ARC discussed the Sign Regulations and proposed sign program at length in order to understand their purview. Commissioners agreed with staff that the large EMC is not appropriate at this location and not appropriate in the City of SLO. Commissioners felt that EMC’s should be reserved for public uses or for clocks and thermometers. As a compromise the ARC allowed the sign program to have two monument signs and a 12-foot tall pole/monument sign at the Broad Street frontage. The Sign Program was approved on a 5-2 vote, based on findings and subject to conditions. Commissioners Palazzo and Root cast the dissenting votes, Palazzo felt that an EMC could have been incorporated into the sign program and Root felt that the applicant should have a larger pole sign but no EMC. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.    Staff: 

A.   Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided a forecast of items expected on the next meeting agenda.   

B.   ARC Goals and Financial Plan Schedule for 2007-2009 

The Commission discussed their goals from the 2005-2007 budget cycle and made some revisions.  They asked staff to include a modified version of the goals in their next agenda packet. They were also interested in reviewing the goals once more after a consolidated version of the goals of all the advisory bodies is assembled. 

4.    Commission: 

       A.    Minutes: September 5, 2006 (amend or approve) - The minutes were approved as submitted. 

       B.    Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The Commission discussed setting time limits for applicants in making their presentations and recommended that PowerPoint slides not be read word for word. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, October 2, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.