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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2003 ARC Minutes SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTUAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 2003 ROLL CALL: Present: Commrs. Greg Wilhelm, Allen Root, Michael Boudreau, Zeljka Howard, Jim Lopes, David Smith, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson Absent: None Staff: Senior Planner Pam Ricci ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA: Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed that the voice of the constituents should be heard. There were no further comments made from the public. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 2005 Dalidio Drive. ARC 140-03; Review of plans to develop a new hotel in conjunction with the Dalidio Annexation; Larkspur Hotels, LLC, applicant. Senior Planner Pam Ricci presented the staff report, requesting preliminary comments on the building design. Jean Di Maria, project representative, provided a brief summary and history of the Larkspur Hotel. David Israel, BAR Architects, gave an overview of the architecture of the proposed project. Michael Cripe, landscape architect, Oasis Associates, explained briefly the layout of the proposed landscaping for the proposed project. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, commented that San Luis Obispo is losing its beauty with all this development, and expressed her opinion that no more hotels are needed in this area, and that aquifers and agricultural land is needed more. There were no further comments made from the public. ARC Minutes November 17, 2003 Page 2 COMMISSION COMMENTS: The ARC conceptually reviewed project plans and provided feedback to the applicants and staff. This was the Commission’s first review of the project and they were generally complimentary of the architecture and design. The ARC supported the proposed building configuration with the courtyard facing Dalidio Drive and the proposed building height of 51 feet. Their rationale for support of the building height included its location along a major arterial, its physical separation from other buildings, and the importance of the roof pitch and volume for the building’s architectural style. The Commission wanted to see some of the architectural details included on the west elevation carried over to other building elevations. They also wanted to see more information on tree planting and pedestrian connections with future plans. 2. 2005 Dalidio Drive. ARC 108-02; Review of the proposed Macy’s Department Store as a component of the new retail project known as the San Luis Obispo Marketplace; SLO Marketplace Associates, LLC, applicant. Senior Planner Pam Ricci presented the staff report and requested comments on the revised building design. Bruce Quisno, Cincinnati, Ohio, Federated Department Stores, Operating Vice- President, gave a brief description of the building and noted that the buildings are the same size. Bruce Mirrielees, project architect, gave an overview of the project and briefly described the different architectural styles that they had considered. He described the materials and colors proposed on the facade of the building. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed concern with the wind factor in this area, and that Gottschalk’s is looking cluttered with the manufacturing use. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Lopes commented that the design presented at this meeting is superior to the previous design. He noted that the building elevations provide articulation through recesses and offsets. Despite this, he felt deeper articulation is warranted and that the entry could extend further out. He suggested that some of the building’s interior functions drive the exterior treatment of wall surfaces. He recommended that more attention be focused on the first 10’ to 15’ of the building through decorative features to address the project’s human scale. He preferred a second building entry facing Dalidio drive with a parking area between the building and street.. ARC Minutes November 17, 2003 Page 3 Commr. Howard concurred with Commr. Lopes, and encouraged building colors with greater saturation to make the building more vibrant. Commr. Root agreed that this design is better than the previous one. He did not feel that the building needs more articulation in terms of massing and supported the scale of the building. He suggested the applicants pay attention to the integrity of the architecture and structure, and suggested benches and planters be located in the pedestrian area. He thought that a more articulated entry that plays up on the tower roofing would be warranted. He added that a couple of specimen trees should be installed along the main building wall. Commr. Boudreau concurred with Commr. Lopes’ comments on articulation of the building. He thought that the submitted elevations conveyed a sophisticated design, but questioned their consistency with the Design Guidelines. He recommended a stronger, more aggressive statement at the entry canopy and to utilize a varied hardscape at the entry that extends further out into the site. Commr. Wilhelm commented that he supported the original design. He expressed support for the corner element that has the corrugated roof. Commr. Smith agreed with the previous comments and also liked the first perspective presented. Chairperson Stevenson suggested that the main building wall have additional articulation and would like to see a second building entry off Dalidio Drive. He preferred a more curving driveway in front of the store and a more natural look to the “faux” windows. He wanted to see more dramatic changes to the colors, and the depth of the center mansard increased. The Commission’s consensus was that the applicants had done a good job of responding to previous direction, but that they still would like to see some further embellishments and changes, which included: A. Provide more decorative features within the first 10 to 14 feet of the building elevations to address concerns with the human scale and pedestrian experience. B. Look at using building colors with greater saturation and vibrancy. C. Explore adding a second building entry paralleling Dalidio Drive. D. Provide a stronger and more aggressive statement for the main building entry canopy. E. Look at including a contrasting hardscape pattern at the entry that extends further out into the site. F. Consider a more curvilinear driveway in front of the main entry to provide some additional relief to the façade. ARC Minutes November 17, 2003 Page 4 G. Substantially increase the depth of the mansard over the entry canopy. H. Utilize metal material, similar to that used on the roof of the corner tower, in other architectural features of the project. I. The light penetrating upper windows should have a realistic look. 3. 55 Broad Street. ARC 163-02; Review of new 20-unit senior apartment project with new 2-story parking on adjacent lot; R-4-PD zone; Morrison LLC, applicant. The Commission conceptually reviewed the project offering specific direction on the site plan, building design and proposed creek setback exception, noting that the applicant would need to return to the ARC following City Council action on the Planned Development amendment and environmental document. The Commission had relatively few concerns with the building architecture, which was designed to emulate the most recent building constructed as part of the retirement campus (73 Broad). The ARC added a condition to include more riparian planting including oak trees along the creek corridor. Hamish Marshall, project representative, presented a brief outline of the project and gave a description of the architectural style of the proposed building. Lauren Luker, R2L Architects, SLO, mentioned briefly how the project was consistent with the City’s Design Guidelines. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Pierre Palmer, 55 Broad Street, brought up concerns with the availability of parking related to project development, both long-term and during construction. He was advised that the issue was more in the Planning Commission’s purview and would be addressed in the PD Amendment agenda report. The applicant indicated that they would work on a phasing plan to manage the parking supply. Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed support for this project, provided it is not student housing. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Boudreau moved that conceptual review is supported with direction that condition 12 is omitted and language added to condition 11 to state: Modify the proposed landscape and hardscape plan within creek setback to the satisfaction of the Natural Resources Manager; Condition 5: Consider use of more color. Omit the word “neutral”; add a condition that there be greater riparian vegetation on the east side of the creek, including oak trees, and that specimen palms be retained. Seconded by Commr. Wilhelm. ARC Minutes November 17, 2003 Page 5 AYES: Commrs. Boudreau, Wilhelm, Root, Howard, Lopes, Smith and Stevenson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None The Motion carried on a 7:0 vote. COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 4. Staff A. Agenda Forecast: Planner Ricci gave an agenda forecast of upcoming items. She noted the meeting of December 1, 2003, has been canceled. The Commission discussed having a meeting on December 1, 2003, for Commission training. 5. Commission: A. Recent Project Review-Lessons Learned. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. to the next regular scheduled meeting for December 17, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Hearing Room. Respectfully submitted by, Irene E. Pierce Recording Secretary