Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

July 24, 2006                       Monday                                5:30p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Committee Members Sandy Baer, Dan Carpenter, Robert Pavlik, Lynne Landwehr, Tom Wheeler,  Vice Chair Barbara Breska and Chairperson Chuck Crotser.   

                        Committee member Wheeler was absent. 

STAFF:                Kim Murry, Deputy Community Development Director, Claire Clark, Economic Development Manager, Jaime Hill, Associate Planner, and Jeff Hook, Senior Planner.

 INTRODUCTIONS:

 Jeff Hook introduced Claire Clark who updated the Committee on the status of the seismic retrofit program.  She explained that staff expected to return to the CHC in the near future to discuss historic preservation and economic development strategies.  Mr. Hook then introduced Kim Murry, the new Deputy Community Development Director for Long Range Planning.  

MINUTES:    Draft Minutes of June 26, 2006 regular meeting. Approve or amend.                         

The minutes were unanimously approved as amended. 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

1.   890 Monterey Street.  ARC MI 145-05; Review a plan revision to a remodel of a contributing commercial building; C-D-H zone; Feliciano Trust, applicant.   

Jeff Hook presented the staff report and project architect Craig Smith described the project and provided background on why and how the plan revision occurred.  Committee members generally supported changing the project’s approval condition which required paint to be removed from the rear (alley) building façade.  They felt that removing paint would damage the original brick and grout surface and was not warranted at this time.  On a motion by Committee member Baer, seconded  by Committee member Carpenter, the Committee recommended that the Community Development Director delete the condition requiring paint removal from the rear building façade and approve the as-built building revisions.  The motion carried, 6-0. 

2.   1720 Johnson Avenue.  ARC MI 20-06; Review of wall materials for a 9-foot sound wall extending to the side property line from an historic structure; James Shepard Co., applicants.  

Jaime Hill presented the staff report and applicants Stephen and Eileen Sicanoff explained the project.   Committee members supported the proposed noise wall design and materials.  Committee member Crotser voiced concern that the wall “keyhole” opening could allow noise into the private patio and defeat the purpose of the noise wall.  He suggested the applicants verify the design with the noise consultant and consider changes to the keyhole design if necessary.  He wanted to allow staff flexibility in approving such a change.  Other Committee members agreed with this approach, and after a brief discussion, on a motion by Committee member Landwehr, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee voted 6-0 to determine that the proposed project is consistent with the Mills Act Historic Property Agreement and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for new construction, and refer the item to the Community Development Director with a recommendation to approve the plans with the following conditions.

1.   All landscape improvements along the Johnson Avenue frontage shall be installed and approved by the Community Development Director prior to issuance of a construction permit for the new sound wall to ensure adequate screening.

2.   Landscaping shall be maintained in a vigorous and thriving manner, and replaced as necessary as required by the Mills Act Historic Property Agreement in effect for the property and to ensure that structures are adequately screened.

3.   Modifications to the keyhole opening and gate may be approved by staff if constructed of materials that are similar or compatible with the proposed wall and with the Judge’s House.

 3.   899 Higuera Street. ARC MI 79-06; Review for a façade remodel and tenant improvements to a downtown building; C-D-H zone; Copeland’s Properties, applicant.  

Jaime Hill presented the staff report and provided background on the proposed remodel.  Architect Mark Rawson and Apple representative Benjamin Fay described the project and thanked staff for a thorough and well-written staff report.  Under public comment, Brian Lawler, Gary Williams and Jim Dummit spoke on the project, voicing concerns with various aspects of the project’s architectural design, exterior architectural materials and compatibility with the Downtown Historic District.    Committee members had mixed feelings about the project, with members about evenly split on whether the project was consistent with the Historic Preservation Program and Community Design Guidelines, with or without design changes.  After extended discussion, and on a motion by Committee member Breska, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee voted 4-2 (Carpenter, Crotser) to determine that the proposed project is consistent with the Community Design Guidelines and with the Downtown Preservation Program Guidelines provided that changes are implemented to insure the project will not adversely affect the historic, architectural, or aesthetic significance of the Downtown Historic District, and to refer the matter to the Architectural Review Commission with a recommendation to approve the project subject to the following conditions:

1.   The “Rose Tan” brickwork, modified fascia detailing and upper window design shall be continued along the Morro Street Elevation of the tenant space to the third pilaster, where the pattern of upper level windows currently ends.

2.   All windows on both the Higuera and Morro Street elevations shall permit at least 88 percent light transmission and allow uninterrupted viewing from the street into the tenant space. They shall not be additionally darkened, shaded, or otherwise covered with signage which would obscure views into the store.

3.   Samples of all window glass shall be submitted to the Community Development Department and prior to installation, shall require approval by the Director as being consistent with the intent of Architectural Review Commission approval.

4.   A separate building permit is required for all signage, including wall, window, awning, hanging or projecting.

5.   Applicant shall construct the project so as to substantially conform to plans and material samples approved by the Architectural Review Commission.  Any change to approved design, colors, materials, or signage must be approved by the Director or Architectural Review Commission, as deemed appropriate by the Commission.

6.   The design shall retain the existing bulkhead on the Higuera Street façade.

7.   In addition to condition # B above, the design shall use clear glass on all or most of the Morro Street windows.

8.   The applicant shall eliminate or significantly reduce the amount of “beaded stainless steel” siding used on the storefront.

DISCUSSION ITEMS: 

4.        Communications

     a.  Agenda Forecast – staff.  

    Staff provided a brief agenda forecast for the August 28, 2006 meeting.

b. Committee. 

    The Committee briefly discussed parliamentary procedures and motion-making techniques in connection with difficult or complex projects. 

The meeting adjourned around 8:30 p.m to the regular meeting on Monday, August 28, 2006, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.