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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2003 ARC Minutes SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTUAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 2, 2003 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Greg Wilhelm, Allen Root, Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, David Smith, and Vice-Chair Michael Boudreau. Absent: Chairperson Charles Stevenson. Staff: Associate Planner Philip Dunsmore. SWEARING IN: City Clerk Lee Price swore in Greg Wilhelm as the new Commissioner to serve on the Architectural Review Commission. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTE: The Minutes of December 16, 2002, were accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: MaryBeth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, SLO, expressed gratitude to the ARC and commented on the manner in which higher authority dealt with Commissioner Jim Lopes was unofficial, unprofessional and feels he is an asset to this community. Josephine Malone commented about the signage guidelines and noted she spoke to the City Attorney and mentioned he is open to the dialogue of the presentation in the downtown area. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 12200 Los Osos Valley Road. ARC-S 47-03; Review of a new pole, monument, and wall signs for Perry Ford Lincoln Mercury; C-S-PD zone; Steve Havens, applicant. (Pam Ricci) This item was continued to a date uncertain, without discussion. 2. 4090 Broad Street. ARC 40-03; Review of an addition to an existing commercial building, including a caretakers unit; C-S-S-SP zone; Michael Morin, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) Associate Planner Phil Dunsmore presented the staff report recommending final approval of the project based on findings and subject to conditions. He explained that ARC Minutes June 2, 2003 Page 2 the colors are going to match the existing building, and offered a mock up of the photo simulation of the addition and the existing building. Louisa Kluver, project architect, explained they are retaining the existing style of the building, plus adding three or four additional bays. She noted they want to match what is there because it has its own unique style. She stated they have no problems with the conditions except for condition 5, but felt it is a Public Works issue. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Lopes moved to grant final approval to the project based on findings and subject to conditions listed in the staff report. With a change to condition 4, third bullet to add: “Some of the trees shall be large growing canopy species along the Broad Street sidewalk” with the rest of the condition to apply to the interior near the building. Seconded by Commr. Howard. Planner Dunsmore responded to the suggestion of changing condition 4 and expressed concern because a large portion of the property is a drainage basin. Michael Morin, applicant, noted there are four oak trees on the property that you cannot see in the photograph. Commr. Lopes asked if they are near the sidewalk. Mr. Morin replied they are about six to nine feet from the sidewalk. Commr. Wilhelm commented that because of the color scheme form, there is a risk that it could become more monochromatic and suggested using one or two colors on the caretaker’s quarters. Commr. Lopes added condition 8 to the motion that the applicant consider different colorations for the caretakers unit facade to compliment and add interest to the overall facade. AYES: Commrs. Lopes, Howard, Wilhelm, Root, Smith, and Boudreau NOES: None ABSENT: Commr. Stevenson ABSTAIN: None The motion carried on a 6-0 vote. 3. 1095 Marsh Street. ARC 15-03; Review of park improvements for proposed Chinese garden, and environmental review; C-C zone; City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department, applicant. (Hillary Hodges) ARC Minutes June 2, 2003 Page 3 Associate Planner Philip Dunsmore presented the staff report recommending final approval to the proposed project, based on findings, and subject to conditions, mitigation measures, and code requirements. Commr. Howard asked what would be appropriate lighting that is not too much and not too little. Planner Dunsmore responded one of the new street light standards at the end of the street adjacent to the project, and a light within the structure in the park. Commr. Howard questioned if the light would create a nuisance to other uses around it. Planner Dunsmore replied probably not because it is not adjacent to any sensitive residential uses. Paul LeSage, Parks and Recreation Director, explained that the actual foot-candle is 3:5, which is less than a parking lot and is not enough light to conduct activity. Commr. Smith asked if people in the park would be able to look into the creek. Planner Dunsmore replied that the plans show a cantilevered deck that would extend slightly over the existing retaining wall that extends over the pond and would be at the edge of the creek so people could look down into the creek. Commr. Wilhelm asked if stone is proposed for the triangular area in front of the gateway. Planner Dunsmore explained that it has not been determined yet. Commr. Wilhelm asked if there is a use proposed for the pavilion. Planner Dunsmore replied that it is decorative and there is no use proposed. Commr. Wilhelm asked if the two lion statues currently exist or if they are proposed artwork that is going to be developed. Planner Dunsmore replied that they would not be considered artwork. Allan Cooper, project architect, noted that the intent of the design was to have only one entrance, not multiple entrances. He explained that it is a very small site so the inconvenience of navigating this park will be minimal. Commr. Wilhelm asked if the intent of the plan is to remove the existing wood. Mr. Cooper replied yes. He explained that the pavilion does not have a specific use, but noted it is for contemplation purposes. He mentioned Howard Lewis would donate the lions, and noted the utility box could be screened. He also noted that he has no problems with recommended conditions. ARC Minutes June 2, 2003 Page 4 Commr. Lopes commented that it would be useful to see elevations on the gateway frontage and noted there is not one on plans. He expressed concern because of the prominence of the intersection and that the gateway should have a design. Mr. Cooper responded that he believes there was some detail in the site section, and mentioned he would be happy to provide the Commission with that information. PUBLIC COMMENTS: MaryBeth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed support for this Chinese Garden. There were no further comments made by the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Boudreau suggested retaining a portion of the fence temporarily until the vegetation is established. Commr. Howard moved that they grant final approval of the Chinese Park project with an exception to the creek setback standards, based on findings and subject to conditions, mitigation measures and code requirements as noted in the staff report, and suggested adding the following text to condition 8, “the second public art piece and gateway design shall be approved by ARC prior to installation.” Seconded by Commr. Smith. Commr. Root commented that the lions are an architectural feature and are not public art and would like to see that separate, and noted he does not want to see it break the bank. He suggested that that some type of fencing/vegetation at all times so that people do no cut across the park. He suggested that Condition 6 state that the proposed berm shall be kept intact and to use berming landscaping and hardscape. Commr. Wilhelm commented that he is in favor of keeping the plan the way it is as a meditative park and felt if the ends are connected, it may become a thoroughfare. He suggested flagstone at the entrance to accentuate it as a main entrance and retain and restore the wood fence to keep it as a meditative park. He felt they should develop enough berming so that the main entrance remains the main entrance. After much discussion, the Commission decided not to modify Condition 6. Mr. Cooper noted they were pleased with the idea of underrating the berm. Commr. Lopes suggested that Condition 1 be modified to add text that reads “unless the applicant’s complete a maintenance agreement with the Parks and Recreation Department to provide ongoing maintenance.” He also felt there should be a condition on the utility box that the City provide an enclosure for the box and recommended an enclosure such as a fence or wall that is in keeping with the gateway design. There was discussion on the lighting. Commr. Lopes commented there could be lights on top of the berm or somewhere under the trees that would shine onto the benches. He pointed out that condition 2 ARC Minutes June 2, 2003 Page 5 would need to be modified in terms of the Pavilion where the lights might be directed downward. Planner Dunsmore responded that it is not City regulation to have the park open after 10:00 p.m., and suggested the lighting be on a timer. Vice-Chair Boudreau suggested a condition 15 that states “Coordinate a screening design for the existing utility box for the City.” Commr. Smith commented that there is to much emphasis being made on pedestrian traffic and felt there aren’t three people a day that walk past it. Commr. Wilhelm asked if there has been any consideration given to decorative lights. Mr. Cooper responded that is a great idea to address the seasonal treatment. Vice-Chair Boudreau suggested a condition include the text, “there shall be low level lighting in the Pavilion on a timer”. Commr. Lopes felt that condition 1 should be left open for more creative work on the lights. AYES: Commrs. Howard, Smith, Wilhelm, Root, Lopes, and Boudreau NOES: None ABSENT: Commr. Stevenson ABSTAIN: None The motion carried 6-0. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 4. Staff: A. Agenda Forecast: June 16, 2003: Nine unit condominium project on Johnson Avenue; New retaining wall along San Luis Creek; Pizza Brokers. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for June 16, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Hearing Room. Respectfully submitted by Irene E. Pierce Recording Secretary