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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-2003 ARC Minutes SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURE REVIEW COMMISSION November 3, 2003 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Greg Wilhelm, Allen Root, Michael Boudreau, Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, David Smith, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson Staff: Associate Planner Philip Dunsmore and Recording Secretary Irene Pierce ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTE: The Minutes of March 17, 2003, were accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Jerry Fowler, Mill Street, SLO, expressed concern that there is no lighting at Mission Plaza, and that he has observed people stumbling over the steps. He expressed his opinion that the City is opening itself up to some potential liability problems. MaryBeth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed concerns with the old juvenile hall building that is proposed for reopening because of the asbestos. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 1023 Chorro Street. ARC 127-03; Review of outdoor canopy for up to six months every year, C-D-H zone; Mission Grill, applicant. This project was continued without discussion to a date uncertain. 2. 1515 Fredericks Street. ARC 106-03; Review of plans to develop a new sanctuary, family center, and administrative offices; R-1 zone; United Methodist Church, applicant. Commr. Lopes abstained from participation due to his affiliation with the church. Associate Planner Philip Dunsmore presented the staff report asking the Commission to review the conceptual plans, and continue the item to a date uncertain, with direction to the applicant and staff on site design, building design, landscape and lighting. Greg Wilhelm, 779 Mutsuhito Avenue, SLO, Liaison for the Project Architect, some history on the church and gave a brief summary on the three schemes that were proposed for the church. ARC Minutes November 3, 2003 Page 2 Jack Althouse, Althouse Jaffe & Associates, explained how they selected the proposed design, noting their desire to create a structure that fits with the architecture of the surrounding community. He presented a revised sectional drawing that details the elevations of the various parts of the building relevant to the site, and addressed concerns on the height of the building. Debbie Black, landscape architect, explained that her intent is to make sure every parking space is under a tree, that she has addressed the bicycle parking issue, and that they have selected quick growing landscaping. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Charles Greenhouse, 1631 Fredrick’s Street, expressed support for the abandonment, and mentioned problems over the years with the entrance from the parking lot to Fredericks Street. He also voiced concern with flooding that happens every few years and requested adequate gutters and retaining walls to separate the parking lot on Fredericks Street from his property. Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, commented that she loved the original architecture and would like to see the new structure with the same architecture. Gary Fowler, Chairman for SLO County Commission on Aging, expressed support for the church and the project as it has been presented. Joe Timmons, church member, supported the project that is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. Loren Brown, 7 Chuparrosa, supported the project and offered some history of the church building which was first designed as a family life center. Ron Griffin, 1304 Cavalier Lane, supported the project and offered some information on the church bell, noting they are commissioning for a new bell. Howard Shoals, 1630 El Caserio Court, noted that the bell is very distinctive and tells a lot about the church. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: The ARC was satisfied with the proposed site plan and general design theme of the new church. The proposed height exception was acceptable to the ARC since the building would be below the grade of Fredericks Street and would appear as a similarly scaled structure as adjacent residences. Commissioners conceptually reviewed the plans without taking an action and offered specific feedback to the applicant: ARC Minutes November 3, 2003 Page 3 3. 1308 Monterey Street. ARC 131-03; Review of a new car wash at an existing service station; C-R zone; Jim Pfeil, applicant. Associate Planner Philip Dunsmore presented the staff report recommending final approval to the project based on findings and subject to conditions. George Garcia, Project Architect, noted there will be a vacuum unit located on this site, and that they are exceeding the requirement for parking spaces and will provide an adequate waiting line to cue cars that are in line. He mentioned the clarifier is to use reclaimed water. He discussed the lighting and also explained about the noise of the drying unit and that it operates at lower decibels and is sensitive to not putting it to close to the street. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Vern Ludwick, 956 Johnson Avenue, expressed concerns with the trucks that go behind the station, noting that the carwash might be placed making it difficult for trucks to exit. He mentioned that the intersection there is like an amphitheater for the residents that live there. Jean Vinson, 966 Johnson Avenue, voiced concerns with the noise that the carwash will generate. Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed concern with the compact conditions of this carwash and felt it is not the appropriate location for this type of mechanical carwash. Raymond James, project manager, commented that in the 3-1/2 years that he has worked in this gas station, there has never been a buffer for the trucks that go through; the reason they go through the back is because they are unable to make the cut. Betty Aeighton, Palm Street, expressed concerns with the noise this carwash will create. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: After an analysis of the proposed plans to add the car wash at the rear of the gas station, the ARC continued the item to a date uncertain, requesting the applicant return following approval of an Administrative Use Permit. Commissioners felt that if the car wash could be designed to not exceed the existing ambient noise levels found at the site, it could be supported. The ARC suggested additional noise analysis and to consider items such as a masonry wall, a modified building design, or other features that would reduce noise levels. ARC Minutes November 3, 2003 Page 4 Commr. Lopes moved to continue the item to a date uncertain, to allow the applicant to respond to issues and direction: 1) Show that truck and customer car routing turning movement through the site are feasible and vehicles are able to back out onto the street; 2) Provide design measures or other methods, such as alternative building design that extends the building so that it encloses the equipment; 3) Perform an acoustic analysis on the redesign to show that noise is minimized to an acceptable ambiance level on the site, 4) ask that the applicant come back with a modified schedule for business hours. Seconded by Commr. Wilhelm. AYES: Commrs. Lopes, Wilhelm, Root, Boudreau, Howard, Smith, & Stevenson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None The Motion carried on a 7:0 vote. 4. 1711 Johnson Avenue. ARC MOD 177-01; Review of modification to approved ARC plans to allow nine detached units; R-3 zone; Richard Porter, applicant. Associate Planner Philip Dunsmore presented the staff report recommending final approval to the modified plans and referring the item to the Planning Commission for action on the subdivision map. Mark Rawson, 1028 Peach Street, SLO, project representative, did not agree with the setback issue along the neighboring unit and felt there is no exception required along that side. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, questioned if these will be rental units. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: It was noted that this item was previously approved by the ARC. The applicant was returning to the ARC with minor modifications to the site plan and building elevations of the units in order to enhance vehicular circulation on site. The ARC was satisfied with the overall design of the condominium subdivision and recommended approval of the project. Commr. Howard moved to grant final approval to the modified plans based on findings and subject to conditions as specified in the staff report with the following changes to the applicant proposed plans: The roof pitch for units 1 and 5 nearest Johnson Avenue shall be adjusted in order to reduce the overall height of the structures by a minimum of 2 feet. Seconded by Commr. Wilhelm. ARC Minutes November 3, 2003 Page 5 AYES: Commrs. Howard, Wilhelm, Root, Boudreau, Lopes, Smith and Stevenson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None The Motion carried on a 7:0 vote. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 5. Staff: A. Agenda Forecast: Planner Dunsmore gave an Agenda Forecast of upcoming projects. 6. Commission: A. Recent Project Review-Lessons Learned ADJOURNMENT: With no further before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for November 17, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room. Respectfully submitted by Irene E. Pierce Recording Secretary