Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

November 21, 2005                        Monday                                 5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Allen Root, Jim Lopes, David Smith, Greg Wilhelm, Charles Stevenson, Vice-Chair Michael Boudreau, and Chairperson Zeljka Howard 

All of the Commissioners were present.  Chairperson Howard left the meeting at 6:45.  Commr. Stevenson left the meeting after announcing that he would refrain from participating in the discussion of Item No. 2. 

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.        1050 Monterey Street.  ARC 199-05; Review the relocation of a public art project to the plaza area in front of the County Government Center; PF-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo Administration, applicant.  (Pam Ricci) 

Commr. Root refrained from participation in the discussion of the item since he was the artist for the project. 

Two official motions were made regarding an action on the project, including denial of the relocation and a continuance.  Both of these motions received a second, but ended up tied in a 3-3 vote.  Because there was an insufficient quorum vote to either recommend approval or denial of the requested relocation of the public art project, the Architectural Review Commission will transmit a report explaining the situation and noting the summary comments of the individual Commissioners present.  These comments are listed below: 

Supportive of Relocation 

Greg Wilhelm – He supported the relocation because it provided ample space for the installation of the benches without precluding pedestrian movement and it added interest to an otherwise bland public space.  He felt that the original location on Higuera Street made the sidewalk feel cramped. 

Dave Smith – He agreed with Commr. Wilhelm’s comments that the benches were more suitable at the County Government Center Plaza. 

Michael Boudreau – He felt that the new location was preferred.  He thought that the original location was not comfortable for people to sit and enjoy themselves because of excess traffic noise. 

Opposed to Relocation 

Chuck Stevenson – He was opposed to the relocation pointing out that the plaza space is actively used for special events.  He thought that the benches were not an appropriate design for the setting and inconsistent with the proposed master plan for that section of Monterey Street.  He suggested looking at an alternative location for installation of the benches such as another park next to a creek or the Children’s Museum. 

Zeljka Howard – She shared Commr. Stevenson’s concerns about the benches impacting the use of the plaza space for public assemblies. 

Jim Lopes – He pointed out that the Courthouse gets a lot of foot traffic and was concerned that the benches would constrain pedestrian movement.  He brought up the idea of modifying the colors of the benches to better fit in on Higuera Street next to the Court Street project.  He also suggested that alternative locations near the Courthouse could be considered such as the grass area on the south side of the plaza or the sidewalk area to the north of the plaza. 

2.        174 Suburban Road.  ARC 177-05; Review of a 34,300 + square foot shell building; C-S-S zone; Cornerstone Development, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

On a 5-0-2 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  The ARC liked the building architecture.  Their comments focused on roofing alternatives and breaking up the massing of the stucco surfaces with control joints. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.    Staff: 

A.   Agenda Forecast – Pam Ricci provided a forecast for the next two meeting agendas. 

4.    Commission: 

       A.    Minutes of November 7, 2005.  The minutes were approved with some minor amendments.

       B.    Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

Commr. Lopes expressed concern that the ARC had not been involved in the review of the Four Creeks Project before it was approved by the Planning Commission and City Council.  Staff explained that the more specific development plans would require review by the ARC in the future. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to a regular meeting scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.