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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-2003 ARC Minutes SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTUAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 21, 2003 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Michael Boudreau, Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, David Smith, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson Absent: Commissioners Allen Root and Rob Schultz Staff: Associate Planner Michael Codron and Transportation Associate Peggy Mandeville. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Minutes of November 18 and December 16, 2002, were accepted as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: MaryBeth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, complimented the ARC for the wonderful work they have done. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Citywide. ARC 42-00; Review of the addition of the Hillside Development section to the approved Community Design Guidelines; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (To be continued to May 5, 2003) (Pam Ricci) This item was continued to May 5, 2003, without discussion. 2. 2903 Broad Street. ARC 109-02; Review of a new seven-unit residential development; R-2-S zone; Dave Bolduan, applicant. Associate Planner Michael Codron presented the staff report recommending final approval of the project, subject to findings and conditions. Chairperson Stevenson requested that staff clarify the mitigation measures. Planner Codron explained that all trees shall be protected and preserved on the site unless otherwise approved through removal by the City Arborist. Plans submitted for architectural review shall show all existing trees and significant vegetation. Dave Bolduan, 388 Los Cerros Drive, discussed the ARC’s concerns on the landscaping, and noted the sliding windows that are shown on the elevation of the ARC Minutes April 21, 2003 Page 2 submittal is an error. He explained that dual pane windows are proposed. He felt the grids are unnecessary and would prefer using single hung windows. Commr. Lopes asked if they had considered using a taller molding at the top and bottom. Mr. Bolduan replied that they would prefer not using a wider trim. There was some discussion about the windowsill. Mr. Bolduan discussed the landscaping and mentioned they are having trouble with the trees. With regard to the berm, he noted that it is a narrow area and the house is high. He felt the berm will not do much for sound attenuation, and felt it will push the sound into the house. He mentioned they could screen it with a mass of plants. Chairperson Stevenson said he would like to see a 2-foot retaining wall in the parking area with planting to soften the view into the parking. Mr. Bolduan replied there were additional steps taken for retention and the earth moving and wondered if they could do the same thing with plant material to raise the grade and create the mound. Chairperson Stevenson explained the mitigation is noise mitigation and noted it is the earth and berm that helps absorb the noise. Planner Codron asked if a sound analysis had been done. Mr. Bolduan replied no. Chairperson Stevenson was concerned with how the berm would look. Commr. Lopes suggested a 3- to 4-foot high fence on the side of the parking space instead, and felt a berm is not needed at all. Planner Codron noted that the important issue is that when the project is completed, it meets the noise mitigation. Mr. Bolduan commented that a block wall might attenuate the sound. Commr. Lopes noted that the berm for the wall is needed on the side of the house in the front yard area. Planner Codron agreed and explained this is a noise mitigation measure; the issue isn’t aesthetics or anything that is happening up front, but to make sure those private areas have protection from the noise. ARC Minutes April 21, 2003 Page 3 Chairperson Stevenson suggested a sound wall that blocks off the private area, and in the front use a berm that is not odd-looking, but a landscaped area with a small fence to screen it. Planner Codron mentioned they always have the flexibility to exchange mitigation measures as long as they are equally effective, and noted the only concern would be that the private yard areas have the sound reduction that they need. Commr. Lopes asked the applicant if he would consider a condition that would take a closer look at the area in front of the parking spaces on Broad Street and revise the plant material accordingly, possibly lowering it to screen cars, but not so tall that it blocks the views. Commr. Howard noted that all the conditions were addressed except for 5 & 6 and wondered if the applicant agreed with these conditions. Mr. Bolduan replied yes. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Lopes moved final approval to the project with findings and conditions in the staff report with modifications as follows: condition 3 that window moldings be provided with a variety of widths, and single hung windows without grid; condition 4 add another tree species besides the two that are listed, such as London Plain; condition 7 instead of the 4-foot berm that is in the mitigated declaration for noise, number 4a a low wall shall be installed; provide a masonry wall between unit 1a and unit 6 between the building and the northern property line; condition 8. Modify the landscape plan to include site distance as well as screening parked vehicles with a variety of shrubs. Seconded by Commr. Boudreau. AYES: Commrs. Lopes, Boudreau, Howard, Smith, and Stevenson NOES: None ABSENT: Commrs. Root and Schultz ABSTAIN: None The motion carried 5-0. 3. 2064 Harris Street. ARC 198-02; Review of a proposed duplex on a site with an existing house, and demolition of a studio unit; R-2 zone; Jay Ferriol, applicant. (Hilary Hodges) This item was continued to the ARC meeting of May 5, 2003, without discussion at the request of the applicant who was unable to attend. ARC Minutes April 21, 2003 Page 4 4. 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARC 163-01; Review of plans to rehabilitate the Southern Pacific Freight Warehouse for use as a railroad museum; PF-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo (Public Works), applicant. Associate Planner Michael Codron presented the staff report recommending final approval to the project, based on findings and subject to conditions of approval. He provided some background on the project. Transportation Associate Peggy Mandeville presented additional background on the project, and noted the City hired RRM Design Group to see what could be done with the building, and they determined that the building could be saved; therefore they were able to recommend rehabilitation and not reconstruction. She explained that the entire rehabilitation plan is before the ARC, however funding is only available for the first phase, which is stabilization. She mentioned that because the building has no footings and just sits on a platform, they will have to install footings. She also mentioned that the interior and exterior flooring is asphalt and there is discussion on cutting a portion out and displaying it in the museum. She stated the plan calls for maintaining the Southern Pacific Railroad colors. She requested that condition 4 be changed to clarify that because the area around the platform area is just fill dirt, there is no need for an archeologist to observe digging in the platform area. She mentioned that with ARC approval, they are hoping to begin the first phase in late summer. Commr. Lopes asked if the plan proposed wooden piers below the building. Associate Mandeville replied no, concrete. Commr. Lopes asked if there would be a new foundation. Associate Mandeville replied yes, but the foundation of the building would be within the platform. Commr. Lopes expressed concern with the transit lounge area and how it would be used in the future, suggesting a condition that the area not be used for tables with umbrellas and other things, unless they fit the character of the building. Associate Mandeville replied that she agreed to this suggestion. Commr. Lopes asked if the roof would be corrugated metal that replaces the existing roof. Associate Mandeville replied yes. Commr. Lopes noted the proposal for the landscaping around the building would match the parking lot landscaping. He asked if they would consider the landscaping around the building being different from the parking lot landscaping, such as species that are similar to the period of the building. Brad Larose, San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum President, expressed several concerns. He hoped that the existing windows are going to be left in place, noting they ARC Minutes April 21, 2003 Page 5 are not interested in new windows; and that the landscaping remain very low level in height so it does not obscure the building at all. He gave a brief overview of the proposed warehouse rehabilitation project. Planner Codron suggested the ARC add a condition which states, “The project shall be executed in a manner consistent with the Secretary of Interior Standards and no new features shall be introduced, such as coach windows, that would convey a false sense of historic purpose, and new features shall be limited to items necessary for the approval of the rehabilitation process”. Commr. Smith asked about the parking requirements. Planner Codron replied the Zoning Regulations have a requirement for the museum, which is based on use permit requirements. Mr. Larose noted that the single window that was not an original part of the building was installed for ventilation purposes. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Lopes felt this project needs to be approved for the purpose of the restoration work and felt they could give further direction on windows and layout of the railroad siding. Commr. Boudreau moved to grant final approval, based on the findings and subject to conditions recommended by staff, with the following conditions attached; condition 4 to say, “excavation of native soils; add Condition 6 a new window condition, with the language recommended by Planner Codron; condition 7 outdoor furniture if used to compliment the style of the building; condition 8 the landscaping adjacent to or around the building will be coordinated with the exterior exhibits that are being proposed, such as the box cars, wagons on the west side of the building, the tracks, and the proposed cars on the east of the building, and preferably with low-level steel not high detail to the building structure. Seconded by Commr. Howard. Chairperson Stevenson asked for a description on the railing material. Associate Mandeville explained that wrought iron is not the best component because it rusts much faster. They should find a material type that would look appropriate for the era, but would weather well and not cause flaking. Chairperson Stevenson asked what was proposed for exterior building lighting. Mr. Larose explained there would be period style lighting that would match what is in the existing parking lot, which has been selected in the Railroad Square Specific Plan. ARC Minutes April 21, 2003 Page 6 Commr. Boudreau added another condition that the railing and exterior lighting fixtures will also respect the Railroad Plan and period of the building. Commr. Howard as the second accepted the condition. AYES: Commrs. Boudreau, Howard, Lopes, Smith, and Stevenson NOES: None ABSENT: Commrs. Root and Schultz ABSTAIN: None The motion carried 5-0. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 5. Staff: A. Agenda Forecast: May 5, 2003: Costco EIR, Hillside Development Standards of the Community Design Guidelines, a proposed duplex, Border’s signage, and Madonna Plaza freeway sign. May 19, 2003: Rehabilitation of DeVaul Ranch House, Prado Road overpass. June 2, 2003: Morin Brothers Automotive remodel. 6. Commission: The Commission reviewed the By-Laws while waiting on the applicant for Item 4, noting a couple of errors, so they decided to continue it to their next meeting. A. Lessons Learned: Commr. Smith commented that the ARC focuses more on the site than they do the neighborhood when it comes to garage conversions. There was much discussion about garage conversions. B. Elections: Commr. Howard moved to re-elect Chairman Stevenson for another one-year term, seconded by Commr. Boudreau. The vote was unanimous for the re-election of Chairperson Stevenson. Commr. Lopes nominated Commissioner Boudreau to serve as Vice-Chair, and Commr. Smith seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous for the nomination of Commissioner Boudreau as the new Vice-Chairman for the Architectural Review Commission. Chairperson Stevenson stated that the Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern about the reappointment of Commissioner Lopes and noted it will probably come up in ARC Minutes April 21, 2003 Page 7 the context of a letter for decline of the candidates. He mentioned to the Commission that if they want to provide a written comment in response to this as an individual commission member, it would be something to consider. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for May 5, 2003, in Council Hearing Room. Respectfully submitted by Irene E. Pierce Recording Secretary