Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

November 6, 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 commissioners were present 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  

Agenda was accepted as proposed 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  

There was no public comment 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.       1525 Calle Joaquin.  ARC and ER 52-06;  Review of a proposed 84-room hotel, site improvements, and environmental review; C-T zone; Jim Flagg, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Following a detailed presentation by staff, describing the complex site plan, staff answered commissioner questions regarding the project. Commissioner Lopes expressed a concern for comprehensive planning of the vicinity including accommodations for pedestrian connections to other properties. Other Commissioners discussed the architectural details of the project and expressed overall satisfaction with the general design theme. Commissioners agreed that the design theme should emphasize a Craftsman motif and that the window treatment, trim, wainscot and other exterior details should be strengthened to express the Craftsman theme. On a motion by Lopes, seconded by Palazzo, the Commission voted to approve the project with modifications to the exterior treatment including the use of a sand or skip troweled stucco finish, rounded wainscot rock instead of flat, deeper color tones, and changes to the window style to utilize upper divided lights in a Craftsman style. The vote to approve the project and the environmental document with subtle changes was unanimous.  

2.       800 Palm Street.  ARC and ER 187-05; Review of a mixed-use project in conjunction with the Ah Louis Store, and environmental review; C-D-H zone; Dr. William Watson, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Staff refined the presentation to discuss the previous direction from ARC and described how the project has been modified to respond to the direction. Commissioners discussed potential overlook, and the architectural details of the project. With the exception of Commissioner Lopes expressing concerning regarding building height and massing, the ARC expressed satisfaction with the design refinements. Staff discussed the proposed mitigation measures and recommended the incorporation of 2 residential units rather than one. On a 5-1 vote (Commissioner Howard stepping down for a conflict of interest), the Commission voted to approve the project as proposed. The motion included asking the applicant to consider 2 residential units. The motion excluded changes to the Chorro Street windows as recommended in the report prepared by Alexandria Cole. 

On a separate motion, staff was directed to return with a legislative draft, including changes to the guidelines for downtown buildings related to the transparency of window glazing.  The ARC’s direction was to strengthen the language so that darkening or blocking of ground floor windows would require specific approval from the Commission. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

2.        Staff: 

A.    Agenda Forecast – Pam Ricci gave an overview of upcoming projects for the November 6^th ARC hearing.  

3.        Commission: 

       A.    Minutes: October 16, 2006. 

The minutes of October 16, 2006, were approved as submitted. 

       B.    Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.