Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3a. 08-03-26 ARC Draft Minutes 1 Architectural Review Commission Minutes August 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commissioners Present: Commissioner Kelley Abbas, Commissioner Robert Arens, Commissioner Mick Atkins, Commissioner Charles Gerencser, Vice Chair John Carrion, Chair Ashley Mayou Architectural Review Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Kyle Bell City Staff Present: Principal Planner Rachel Cohen, Deputy City Clerk Sara Armas _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commission was called to order on August 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Mayou. 2. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Motion By Commissioner Gerencser Second By Commissioner Arens Elect Commissioner Ashley Mayou as Chair. Ayes (6): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, Vice Chair Carrion, and Chair Mayou Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (6 to 0) Motion By Commissioner Gerencser Second By Commissioner Arens Elect Commissioner John Carrion as Vice Chair. Ayes (6): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, Vice Chair Carrion, and Chair Mayou Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (6 to 0) Page 5 of 32 2 3. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- 4. CONSENT 4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - APRIL 20, 2026 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES Motion By Vice Chair Carrion Second By Commissioner Abbas To approve the Architectural Review Commission Minutes of April 20, 2026. Ayes (6): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, Vice Chair Carrion, and Chair Mayou Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (6 to 0) 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.a REVIEW OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND SUPPORTING SITE IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS PARKING, ACCESS, AND LANDSCAPING FOR NEIGHBORING VACANT LOTS IN THE AIRPORT AREA. THE PROJECTS ARE EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. Commissioner Atkins recused himself due to his conflict of interest as an employee of the architecture firm involved with the project; he exite d the room at 5:03 p.m. Associate Planner Hannah Hanh presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Applicant representative, Thom Jess of Arris Studio Architects, provided a brief overview of the project and responded to questions raised. Chair Mayou opened the Public Hearing Public Comments: None --End of Public Comment-- Page 6 of 32 3 Chair Mayou closed the Public Hearing Motion By Commissioner Arens Second By Commissioner Abbas Recommend the Community Development Director find the designs of Lots 16-17 (Item 5.a.1, 4815 and 4196 Earthwood Lane), Lots 18-19 (Item 5.a.2, 4165 and 4175 Earthwood Lane) and Lots 20 -21 (Item 5.a.3, 4145 and 4155 Earthwood Lane) to each be consistent with the applicable goals, policies, guidelines, and standards in the Airport Area Specific Plan (AASP), Community Design Guidelines (CDG), and Sign Regulations. Ayes (5): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Gerencser, Vice Chair Carrion, and Chair Mayou Recused (1): Commissioner Atkins Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (5 to 0) 5.b REVIEW OF 18-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS PARKING, ACCESS, AND LANDSCAPING. A DENSITY BONUS AND EXCEPTION TO LOCATE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT WITHIN PUBLIC VIEW ARE REQUESTED. THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. Vice Chair Carrion recused himself due to his conflict of interest as an employee of the architecture firm involved with the project; he exited at 5:34 p.m. Commissioner Atkins returned at 5:35 p.m. Associate Planner Hannah Hanh presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Applicant representative, Joel Snyder of Ten Over Studio, provided a brief overview of the project and responded to questions raised. Chair Mayou opened the Public Hearing Public Comments: Sandra Cannon-Beach --End of Public Comment-- Chair Mayou closed the Public Hearing Page 7 of 32 4 Motion By Commissioner Arens Second By Commissioner Abbas Recommend the applicant consider greater height variation along the parapet with the objective of having more unified façades on all four sides. Ayes (5): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, and Chair Mayou Recused (1): Vice Chair Carrion Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (5 to 0) Motion By Chair Mayou Second By Commissioner Gerencser Recommend the applicant consider re-designing the parking lot to incorporate compact car spaces or other minor site plan changes along the left side of the lot, in order to shift the transformer further back from the sidewalk and provide more plantings in front of the transformer. Ayes (5): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, and Chair Mayou Recused (1): Vice Chair Carrion Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (5 to 0) Motion By Commissioner Gerencser Second By Commissioner Arens Recommend the applicant consider re-designing the balcony railings for increased opacity as well as installing third story awnings above the third story balconies. Ayes (5): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, and Chair Mayou Recused (1): Vice Chair Carrion Absent (1): Commissioner Bell Page 8 of 32 5 CARRIED (5 to 0) Motion By Commissioner Gerencser Second By Commissioner Abbas Recommend the applicant review the apartment building design plans brought before the Architectural Review Commission at the September 8, 2025 Regular Meeting to consider changes to the color and texture of the exterior finishes. Ayes (5): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, and Chair Mayou Recused (1): Vice Chair Carrion Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (5 to 0) Motion By Commissioner Arens Second By Commissioner Atkins Recommend the applicant consider updating the secondary entry, located at the parking lot, to have some of the same qualities as the main entry. Ayes (5): Commissioner Abbas, Commissioner Arens, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Gerencser, and Chair Mayou Recused (1): Vice Chair Carrion Absent (1): Commissioner Bell CARRIED (5 to 0) 6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a STAFF UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST Vice Chair Carrion returned at 6:27 p.m. Principal Planner Rachel Cohen provided the following updates:  There are no items scheduled for the next Regular Meeting on August 17, 2026 Page 9 of 32 6  There are items tentatively scheduled to come before the Commission in October 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission is scheduled for August 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION: XX/XX/202X Page 10 of 32