HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2020 Item 2, Cooper
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Allan Cooper <
To:Van Leeuwen, Kyle; Advisory Bodies
Subject:2690 Victoria Avenue
Attachments:020-01_20...lettertoarc.pdf
Dear Kyle -
Would you kindly forward the letter attached below
to the Architectural Review Commission? This
letter pertains to the ARC's Monday, February 3,
2020 review of 2690 Victoria Avenue. I would also
like this letter to be placed in the City's
correspondence file. Thank you!
- Allan
1
Save Our Downtown
______________________________________________________________________________
Seeking to protect and promote the historical character, design, livability and economic
success of downtown San Luis Obispo.
To: San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commission & Kyle Van Leeuwen
Re: February 3, 2020 Meeting: Item Number 2: 2690 Victoria
From: Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo
Date: February 1, 2020
Honorable Chair and Commissioners -
As you can see by studying the illustrations I’ve included below, no effort was made by this
architect to conform to the South Broad Street Area Plan Design Guidelines. Nor was there any
effort to conform to the City’s Community Design Guidelines.
The South Broad Street Area Plan Design Guidelines state the following: “Appropriate
architectural styles for this mixed-use building type are Railroad Commercial and Broad Street
Village Contemporary” (see below).
Moreover, the City’s Community Design Guidelines state the following: “Consider neighboring
development. Each development proposal should demonstrate consideration for the existing
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South Broad Street aREA Plan
Development Standards
Commercial/Office
Retail or service uses on the ground floor, with upper floors
configured for those uses and offices. This building type should
be designed according to the Railroad Commercial or Broad
Street Village Contemporary styles.
Mixed-Use
Retail and service uses on the ground floor, with upper floors
configured primarily for residences and secondarily for offices.
Appropriate architectural styles for this building type are
Railroad Commercial and Broad Street Village Contemporary.
Source: Pierre Rademaker Design Source: Pierre Rademaker Design
conditions on and off the site including the following: The architectural style, and the shape
and massing of neighboring structures.” “Avoid “boxy” structures…”.
By studying this architect’s past projects one may surmise that he has demonstrated a strong
affinity for “cuboid architecture” (to see stock photos of “cuboid architecture”, click on the
following link: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/cuboid-architecture.html). While elsewhere
this style may be considered to be a fashion trend, it has little to do with San Luis Obispo’s
contextual setting. I therefore urge you to continue this project with direction. Thank you!
Proposal
Appropriate Architectural Styles For This Building Type Per The South Broad Street
Area Plan
Existing Context
ARCH-0748-2019 2690 Victoria Ave Page 2 Surrounding Uses: East: Multi-Unit Residential West: Single-Unit Dwellings & Commercial North: Single-Unit Dwellings & Commercial South: Multi-Unit Residential & Commercial 2.0 PROPOSED DESIGN Architecture: Contemporary design Design details: One-, two-, and three-bedroom units, 1,200 square feet of ground floor commercial with patio, podium construction for interior parking, flat roofs, outdoor courtyard and play area, community room, residential balconies, green walls, second-story landscaping, and interior stairs &
access for residences.
Materials: Metal (corrugated and panels) and concrete exterior, wood siding at residential entry,
perforated metal panels on balconies, metal canopies.
Colors: Primary beige and grey with wood accents, dark bronze windows
3.0 FOCUS OF REVIEW
The ARC’s role is to review the project in terms of its consistency with the South Broad Street Area
Plan, Community Design Guidelines and applicable City policies and standards. As noted above, the
proposed affordable housing alternative incentive requests for a building height of 47 feet and 106%
density bonus will be reviewed by the Planning Commission at a subsequent hearing.
South Broad Street Area Plan: http://www.slocity.org/home/showdocument?id=5019
Community Design Guidelines: https://www.slocity.org/home/showdocument?id=2104
Figure 2: Rendering of project design as seen from Victoria Ave and Humber Ave.
Packet Page 5
Item 2
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South Broad Street aREA Plan
Design Guidelines
Railroad Commercial Style
Commercial buildings associated with the railroad consisted
of a diverse range of styles and materials. However, certain
elements were prevalent and helped define the area’s historic
character. Architectural styles ranged from simple shed-type
or gable-roofed metal buildings to brick, plaster, and concrete
multi-story, rectilinear and round buildings. The following should
be used in commercial, mixed-use, industrial shed, live-work,
and courtyard building types as appropriate: common brick;
horizontal wood board siding; vertical board-and-batt siding;
corrugated metal siding and roofing; double-hung, casement,
jalousie, and fixed-glass windows with trim; use of brick trim
and metal lintels over doors and windows; stone foundations or
accent courses; decorative roof parapets; arched window and
door openings; decorative roof rafters; clerestory windows; and
concrete, tile, and smooth plaster.
Broad Street Village Contemporary
Paying homage to the past with a blend of traditional and
contemporary architectural forms, materials, and influences,
the Broad Street Village Contemporary Style creates an urban
village character unique to this area. Forms and materials
are utilitarian and influenced by sustainable “green building”
features, such as: solar roofs; plaster, brick, or metal exterior
walls; raised and/or recessed entries, patios, porches, and
balconies; arcades and courtyards; wide roof overhangs; and
extensive use of glass, skylights, and sustainable and recycled
building materials. This style can be used for any building type.
Source: ROEM