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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-2002 ARC Minutes SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTUAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 15, 2002 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Michael Boudreau, Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson. Absent: Commissioners Allen Root, Vice-Chair Rob Schulz. Staff: Associate Planners Phil Dunsmore and Michael Codron, and Recording Secretary Irene Pierce. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. PROJECTS: 1. 204 Madonna Road. ARC 139-01; Review of new colors and signs for an existing service station; C-T zone; A & S Engineering, applicant. This Item was continued to August 5, 2002, without discussion. 2. 11590 Los Osos Valley Road. ARC 140-01; Review of new colors and signs for an existing service station; C-N zone; Equilon Enterprises, applicant This Item was continued to August 5, 2002, without discussion. 3. 296 Santa Rosa Street. ARC 141-01; Review of new colors and signs for an existing service station; C-T zone; Equilon Enterprises, applicant. This Item was continued to August 5, 2002, without discussion. 4. 1820 Osos Street. ARC 96-02; Review of installation of public art sculpture in the Historic Railroad District; C-S-S-H zone; Marco Rizzo; applicant. Associate Planner Michael Codron presented the staff report recommending final approval of the public art sculpture as submitted. Chairperson Stevenson noted this sculpture has received CHC approval, was endorsed by the community, and previously endorsed by the ARC. Marco Rizzo, applicant, explained a small amendment proposed is to move the plaque to an area that would be out of the traffic pattern. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 2 George Garcia, Garcia Architecture & Design, noted there had been discussion as to whether or not the statue should be accessible. He stated that they looked into a number of locations and came up with the one that is proposed. He presented some history behind the statue. Commr. Lopes expressed that he liked the statue location perpendicular to Osos Street. He asked if the statue figures are orientated to the railroad or if they face the street side, and questioned if this is the way it was planned. Mr. Garcia explained there are two individual three-dimensional figures that would be facing each other. Commr. Howard felt they could be located in a manner that could maximize the visibility. Commr. Lopes asked if the plaque location is going to be next to the wheelchair ramp at the bottom, and if benches are proposed n this area. Mr. Garcia replied yes. Commr. Boudreau asked for discussion on the Magnolia tree in the middle of the cul-de- sac. Mr. Garcia responded that there was a lot of discussion about the tree, but unfortunately it is in the center of the concrete block and there is no way to salvage it in its present location. Mr. Garcia noted he would like to retain the existing landscaping. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Lopes moved that the ARC approve the project based on staff’s evaluation and recommended that at least one of the statues be oriented to downtown for interest from traffic coming from that direction, and that a bench be included with the plaque installation or afterward as funds are available. Seconded by Commr. Howard. AYES: Commrs. Lopes, Howard, Boudreau, and Chairperson Stevenson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commrs. Root and Schultz. ABSTAIN: None. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 3 5. 1880 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARC 56-02; Review of façade change to Master List Property; C-R-S-H zone; Depot Square, L.P., applicant. Associate Planner Michael Codron presented staff report recommending approval of the project, based on findings and subject to conditions, as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee (CHC). George Garcia, Garcia Architecture and Design, presented a brief history of the project. He stated their main goal is to have warehouse space, leaving as much warehouse space as possible along with a studio. He mentioned that one of the main goals was to bring in natural light. He commented that the building is in the Historical District, and that the color would be more compatible with the brick because the brick has a natural reddish terracotta color to it. He stated that phase 1 is to reskin the Santa Barbara Avenue elevation. Chairperson Stevenson asked about the window elements? Mr. Garcia explained they are proposing aluminum storefront-type windows for the window moorings, which would be anodized bronze or black. Commr Boudreau asked which elevation this is being proposed on. Mr. Garcia replied the east elevation. Commr. Boudreau asked if phase 1 would include the south portion of the south building. Mr. Garcia replied yes. Commr. Lopes asked if it is vertical. Mr. Garcia replied the seams on it are vertical. Commr. Lopes asked if they are doing vertical on the building. Mr. Garcia replied yes, and explained the idea is to have a pallet of material so it would not all be Corten or galvanized, but a nice contrast of materials that would surround the brick. Commr. Lopes asked if they had considered screening the air conditioning units with a short panel. Mr. Garcia responded that he had not considered it, but felt it would still be visible even if they put in screening. Commr. Lopes asked what the cap would be at the top of the parapet. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 4 Mr. Garcia replied it would be a sheet metal cap with a Corten finish. He noted that the Railroad Guidelines note that accessory buildings and warehouse buildings should be treated with as minimal amount of detail as possible, and that masonry brick buildings be treated with as much detail as possible. Chairperson Stevenson commented that most warehouse buildings in that era that were corrugated had a gable roof. He commented on the hard parapet edge and suggested a fascia or simple band to soften it. Commr. Lopes asked how the wood would be taken down and whether or not it be reused. Mr. Garcia responded that if possible, they would like to salvage it. Planner Codron noted that by the ordinance they are required to recycle it. Mr. Garcia mentioned that a representative from Corten came out and suggested a method of attaching the new skin directly on top of the skin that is presently there. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Boudreau commented that the window replacement accentuates the modernity of the design, and concurred with the findings made by the CHC. Commr. Howard concurred with Commr. Boudreau. She expressed that she supports the project. Commr. Lopes expressed discomfort with the material and suggested that the wood siding be taken off and put on horizontally. He mentioned that he is uncomfortable with the corrugated material and the window treatments, and is in opposition to the windows at the corners being beveled glass. Chairperson Stevenson mentioned that he likes the Corten and the corrugated material, but was surprised that a modern approach is being proposed in this Historic Railroad area. He felt the window should be redesigned to be straight and felt it needs some sort of corneous detail and wood element to reflect what would have been a fascia. He stated that the ARC’s responsibility is to carry out the direction of the Historic Railroad District Guidelines. Mr. Garcia noted that it is difficult to be architecturally correct to a historic building that never had windows. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 5 Chairperson Stevenson commented that he would like another attempt made to reinterpret the look of this facade. He did not support the beveled glass. Mr. Garcia noted that a sheet metal closure would be provided. Mr. Garcia noted that the Railroad Guidelines state that specific commercial buildings generally have simple detailing and very little decorational orientation and asked if the motion were to include this, how would it be achieved? Chairperson Stevenson responded that he would interpret this to mean a simple building, simple window fenestration, but vertical and more transit, but lacking a lot of trim around the window and lacking extensive detailing. Commr. Lopes moved that they continue this item to August 19, 2002, and add condition (1) to have the applicant return to the ARC with conceptual drawings of corneous or fascia at the top of the parapet, and to explore wider moldings where appropriate for historical authenticity, and condition (2) to revise the window treatment be more consistent with the Railroad District Plan and for the windows to be orientated vertically, and to have a transom, double hung, and divided lights, and condition (3) to have the entry addressed with more rectangular design. Seconded by Chairperson Stevenson. Commr. Boudreau commented that he does not want to let this design go. Chairperson Stevenson commented that this is a very modern approach and felt it is dangerous to get into this area. He reiterated this is a Historical Railroad District and felt they should be as close to the guidelines as they can; he felt that other than the siding, this does not get close at all. Commr. Howard noted that this is not a stand-alone building. AYES: Commrs. Lopes, Chairperson Stevenson, Howard. NOES: Commr. Boudreau. ABSENT: Commrs. Root and Schultz. ABSTAIN: None. The motion carried 3-1. th Planner Codron stated that they would bring this back to the certain date of August 19, 2002. 6. 11855 Los Osos Valley Road. ARC MOD 102-96; Review of modification to an ARC approved plan to revise 11 detached garages to carports; R-3-PD zone; Five University Housing, applicant. Associate Planner Michael Codron presented the staff report-recommending denial of the proposed modifications, based on findings, which he outlined. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 6 Commr. Lopes noted that the carports are all trellises and not roofed structures. Carol Florence, Oasis Associates, expressed appreciation on all the effort that has been provided on this project. She mentioned that with a new owner comes a new perspective on certain things and one is the fact that these garages do not seem to function as originally planned. She mentioned that they are requesting to change the trellis carports along Madonna Road to the same type of structure that is being proposed. Chairperson Stevenson asked if the carports that were approved on Madonna Road offered protection to vehicles from the sun and rain, as well as the proposed structures. Ms. Florence explained the proposed structure is totally covered, as opposed to this trellis, which did not offer any protection. Chairperson Stevenson asked if there is a cover on the Madonna Road side. Ms. Florence replied yes, and if the carport proposal is accepted, they would like to change them so they will all be similar. Chairperson Stevenson noted that the proposed carports are pre-fabricated metal clad. He asked if the columns are metal and the base wood clad. Dan Brown, First Worthing Corporation, explained that there is a square metal column. Commr. Lopes asked if they had any other color alternatives for these carports in addition to the white. Mr. Brown responded that he believed that all the trellis work on the site was approved as white. Commr. Lopes asked if there is something about this design that they could modify to satisfy staff’s concerns. Ms. Florence asked if they were addressing the walls. Planner Codron responded that he was speaking about the wall and noted that staff supports the design of this carport. Chairperson Stevenson noted that the staff supports the original design. He felt the new design is nice also. Commr. Howard commented that the security would be lost. Ms. Florence explained they are going to be planting the under-story where the existing Cypress trees are on Madonna Road. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 7 PUBLIC COMMENTS: MaryBeth Schroeder, 2019 Wilding Lane, SLO, commented that she disagrees with a lot of the planning, and suggested they not make this into a ghetto town. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Boudreau commented on the way the wall used to look in conjunction with the backs of the garages, and asked what had changed. Planner Codron referred to the map and explained what is proposed. Commr. Boudreau asked if the garages and the carports are proposed in the same location. Planner Codron replied yes. Ms. Florence explained the rendition of the approved wall design does not look like what was ultimately approved as the proportion of wall to metal. Chairperson Stevenson noted when the landscaping achieves maturity, the berm would be seen along with the railing at the top. He commented when the project was first proposed he felt the garages were very appealing. He noted that he would support covering the carports on the Madonna Road side. Commr. Lopes asked if the carports have a gable pitched roof. Planner Codron replied no, and explained they are the trellis carports. Commr. Howard commented that she concurred with Chairperson Stevenson, and felt the proportions work very well. She commented that the suggestion that staff made would provide a good compromise to eliminate garage doors, but suggested leaving the shelves. Commr. Lopes moved that the ARC deny the applicant’s request to replace the approved garages with carports, and approve the change and design of the trellis carports to roofed carports throughout where they are located. Seconded by Commr. Howard. Mr. Brown asked if they could take the doors off as an option. The Commission replied yes. Commr. Lopes noted that the request is that the garages be carports, however the ARC allows the applicant to make minor modifications to the approved garages by widening them or removing the garage door design so that they could be open sided on one side. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 8 AYES: Commrs. Lopes, Howard, Boudreau, and Chairperson Stevenson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commrs. Schultz and Root. ABSTAIN: None. The motion carried 4-0. 7. 214 Madonna Road. ARC 81-02; Review of remodel to existing lobby space in hotel, new covered drive entry and landscape modifications; C-T zone; Dilor Inc., applicant. Associate Planner Michael Codron presented the staff report recommending final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements. Randy Rea, APS Architects at 444 Higuera Street, presented a brief summary on the history of the project. He mentioned they are proposing to raise the fascia and roof of the building up to 13 feet, so the building would be 3 to 4 feet taller than what it presently is. He felt it blends in with the existing structure, and noted the importance of having handicap spaces at the front of the project. He commented that the only place the landscaping was addressed was in front of the main part of the addition, and the area where the new pool/deck expansion is to be created. Chairperson Stevenson commented on the issue of the screened parking and asked if they had considered addressing this concern as part of their landscaping. Mr. Rea replied no. He explained that none of this has been addressed and that they mainly focused on the Porte Cochere portion. Chairperson Stevenson commented that the “shrubs” to be removed are actually trees. Mr. Rea responded that they are 10-foot high shrubs that just got too big. Commr. Lopes commented that this is a steep slope. Mr. Rea responded that he would have to look at the grade plan, but commented that it is a little steep because they did not want to make that wall too tall. Planner Codron commented that it is consistent with the adjacent development and is consistent with the new architecture that is being proposed. Mr. Rea responded to the headlight problem, and explained because the parking lot is at a different level than the street; the lights would be focusing on Starbucks and the Blockbuster Building. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 9 Chairperson Stevenson noted there is a practical side, which is even worse at night when the headlights are elevated a little higher. He expressed his support of this project, but reiterated his concern with the headlight problem. Mr. Rea felt they would probably deal with this using landscaping rather than a fence or berm. Commr. Lopes suggested a hedge. Mr. Rea commented that he hesitates to make this any taller than it already is. Commr. Lopes noted that the parking spaces do not have curb stops. Mr. Rea replied that is correct. There was much discussion on the proposed wall sign change. Roger Coran, Hotel Manager, noted that they could eliminate the signage on top of the tower. Planner Codron asked if Best Western has an updated signage design. Mr. Coran replied that it is approximately two years old, which was when he put these signs up. Commr. Lopes asked if there is an Oak tree on the site. Mr. Coran replied no. Chairperson Stevenson suggested that since it is called the Royal Oak Hotel, and there is no Oak tree, they might want to plant one. Commr. Boudreau asked if they are proposing a flat roof on top of the elevator. Mr. Rea replied yes, and explained that they are trying to mimic what is already there with the same sort of context to shapes. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Boudreau moved that they grant final approval to the project based on the findings and subject to conditions outlined by staff, with an added condition that they add roof articulation and window articulation on the left elevation on the ARC sheet 4. Seconded by Commr. Howard. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 10 Commr. Lopes suggested an amendment to add a hedge in front to screen parked vehicles in front. The motion maker and the seconder agreed to the amendment. Chairperson Stevenson suggested a recommendation be made on the landscaping selection so the front of the new wall area achieves the adequate height along with some color. Commr. Lopes suggested Geraniums or Caledonias, and that everything else be kind of subdued like Rosemary. He suggested that another condition be added to revise the landscaping in front of the pool area to provide more height and color for screening. The motion maker and seconder accepted the added condition. Commr. Lopes commented that it would be worthwhile to plant a Japanese Black Pine tree adjacent to the new area on the left side. The motion maker and seconder agreed to add this into the motion. Chairperson Stevenson suggested they plant an Oak tree. AYES: Commr. Boudreau, Howard, Lopes, and Chairperson Stevenson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commrs. Schultz and Root. ABSTAIN: None. The motion carried 4-0. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: 8. Staff: Agenda Forecast: August 5: Madonna Plaza signage; Borders Books; Copeland’s; Children’s Museum; a new building on the Hind property; Shell gas Stations; Farm Supply; Baja Fresh. Commr. Lopes gave a summary on the Mayor’s quarterly meeting that he attended. Chairperson Stevenson suggested that goal setting be placed on their agenda. Commr. Lopes mentioned that Mayor Settle stated that there is going to be a countywide forum on the housing issue on September 12, 2002. He also noted they might want to get involved in the bike plan proposal for the intersection of Morro Street and Santa Barbara Avenue. th Planner Codron commented that it is on the agenda for August 19. ARC Minutes July 15, 2002 Page 11 Chairperson Stevenson mentioned a median divider is being proposed by Cal Trans, and Cal Trans is convinced that they need to have a concrete barrier. He mentioned that it would be coming before the ARC. He commented about making it easier for secondary dwellings and suggested there be a recommendation to the Planning Commission to consider modifying that section of the ordinance. Chairperson Stevenson explained about an Environmental Justice Grant. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Architectural Review Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for August 5, 2002, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room. Respectfully submitted by Irene E. Pierce Recording Secretary