Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

November 20, 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 

Commr. Hopkins was 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.        303 Del Mar Court.  ARC MI 146-05; Review of a new single-family home on a sensitive site; R-1 zone; Tomas Schoff, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

2.        307 Del Mar Court.   ARC MI 147-05; Review of a new single-family home on a sensitive site; R-1 zone; Tomas Schoff, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Items 1 and 2 were considered as a single project.  Staff presented the project and notified the Commissioners and public that there had been a notification error. Based on the notification error, staff recommended the project be continued to the December 4^th hearing date so that the project may be re-noticed. The ARC allowed the public to comment on the project and continued the item to December 4^th without significant discussion. However, based on public testimony, the ARC asked staff to clarify the site drainage at the next hearing.  

3.        899 Higuera Street.  ARC 79-06; Review of a facade remodel to a downtown building (formerly Structures) including new storefronts and removal of Morro Street windows; C-D-H zone; Copeland Properties, applicant.  (Jaime Hill) 

Following a presentation by staff focusing on the history of the project, Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) direction, and the remaining issues discussed in the staff report, Mark Rawson, representing Copeland’s Properties, explained the difficulties of leasing the narrow tenant space and the space requirements of national retailers. While there was some discussion of the all-glass storefront systems and absence of bulkheads, the discussion focused on the proposal to in-fill the Morro Street windows with brickwork. Commissioners discussed which of the windows were important to keep clear, either those near the corner or further down Morro Street, and if treatments other than brick in-fill would be more appropriate. Ultimately, the Commission determined that it was preferable to allow the applicant options as to which of the windows were obscured, and required that three of the six windows on this façade be kept transparent. They directed that the other three window be sandblasted and indirectly back-lit from above or the side. On a motion by Commissioner Wilhelm and seconded by Commissioner Lopes, the motion passed 4 to 2, Commissioners Howard and Lopes voting no, citing a need for the windows to remain unobscured, consistent with the Community Design Guidelines. Commissioner Lopes made a second motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Howard, to require the existing brick-infill window on Morro Street to be modified. It was determined that the ARC had already made their final action, and this motion was not voted on. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION:

 4.        Staff: 

A.       Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci gave an overview of upcoming projects for the December 4^th & 18^th ARC hearings.  

5.        Commission: 

       A.    Minutes: November 6, 2006 (amend or approve) – The minutes were approved as amended. 

       B.    Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned  

The Commission had a general discussion regarding the issue of maintaining clear windows within the ground floors of tenant spaces in the downtown.  In light of this, there was further discussion regarding changes in the downtown and trends in retailing that affect how tenant spaces are used.  Allen Root brought up the idea of a possible charette to discuss the issue in more detail.  The Commission continued to express a desire to modify the guidelines to strengthen the requirements to maintain open views into ground floor tenant spaces.  The ARC members were encouraged to take photos of storefronts of tenant spaces that they felt were consistent with guideline goals for future discussions.  Commr. Palazzo suggested that specific criteria be drafted to provide guidance on when exceptions to the guidelines might be supported. 

The meeting adjourned around 8:00 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, December 4, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.