Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

November 19, 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 

All of the Commissioners were present. 

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.        390 Lawrence Drive. ARC/MOD 128-01; Review of a modification to an ARC-approved residence; R-1 zone; Carl and Robin Meissner, applicants. (Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 7-0 vote, the ARC approved the new house design, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  The Commission supported the revised design as it protected the sensitive site features and the overall building height was lower.  The applicant and his architect Rick Breska indicated their support for the staff’s recommendation.  Richard Stephens, a neighbor of the project, voiced concerns with the proposal to limit access to Meadow Street and the potential for increased traffic.  Peggy Mandeville from the Public Work Department explained that the Meadow Street connection to Lawrence would remain open until the cul-de-sac is completed.  

2.        861, 840, 842, 844, 848, 868, 870 & 886 Monterey Street, 984 & 986 Chorro Street, 847, 863 & 877 Palm and 955 Morro Street. ARC 69-05; Review of Chinatown mixed-use project; C-D-H zone; SLO Chinatown LLC, applicant. (Continued from November 5, 2007)  (Pam Ricci) 

On a 6-0-1 vote (Commr. Howard recused herself because of a potential conflict of interest), the ARC continued action to a date uncertain with direction on design issues and additional information required for final review of the overall project design.  The Commission used the discussion points included in the staff report to guide their discussion of project components and issues. Some of the key points covered were: 

·              The ARC’s preference for the proposed central paseo design from Palm Street as opposed to an alternative diagonal paseo that linked the interior of the site with the intersection of Palm and Morro Streets;

·              The  architecture of the hotel was discussed, but no consensus was reached on preferred building styles until after further input from the EIR hearings regarding the disposition of the Sauer Bakery and Blackstone Hotel buildings ;

·              The ARC was generally pleased with the applicant’s plan for solid waste access and servicing, but wanted further details to return to them;

·              The preference was for a subtle approach to incorporating a Chinese motif into the architecture and design details of the Palm portion of the project;

·              The ARC encouraged cooperation with the owner of the adjacent Feliciano Building to look at potential solutions regarding the loss of property line windows such as the installation of skylights; and

·              The ARC supported the incorporation of creative public art proposals into project plans that build on the project’s Chinatown theme. 

Several members of the public spoke during the pubic hearing including: 

Alex Gough indicated his concern with the demolition of the historic buildings on the site and felt that adaptive reuse of the buildings was important.  He felt that retention of the Sauer Bakery building was essential and questioned how the ovens could be reused in the project effectively because of their large size.  He supported the lower height of project buildings and more public open space in the site design. 

Elizabeth Abrahams agreed with Alex Gough’s comments and noted that the Sauer Bakery ovens should be creatively used in the project. 

David Brodie disliked the pitched tile roofs shown on some project buildings, finding them overused in current architecture. He questioned how accurately the 3-D video depicted the scale of the streets.  He voiced concerns with the viability of the proposed retail uses, servicing buildings (trash and deliveries), the appearance of the rooftop pool, and the Monterey Street stairwells.  He suggested that the project incorporate an escalator from Monterey Street to the upper plaza area.

Craig Smith mentioned the concern with the blocking of the windows on the second floor of the adjacent Feliciano Building with project development.  He noted that skylights may be a viable option. 

Peter Danciart complimented the architects on their complex plaza design.  He suggested that the building architecture should respect the current time and place of construction and that replication of Chinese architecture here was not appropriate.  He noted that the design should take advantage of views, and that uses established in the center of the site should be ones that draw people in via the stairwells, rather than hotel meeting rooms and a spa. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.        Staff: 

A. Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the 12-3-07 meeting. 

4.        Commission: 

A.        Minutes: November 5, 2007 - The minutes were approved as submitted. 

       B.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

ADJOURNMENT 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.