HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-2015 ARC Draft Minutes of 05-04-15DRAFT
SAN LUIS OBISPO
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES
May 4, 2015
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Patricia Andreen, Ken Curtis, Amy Nemcik, Allen Root,
Vice-Chair Suzan Ehdaie and Chairperson Greg Wynn
Absent: Commissioner Angela Soll
Staff: Senior Planner Phil Dunsmore, Associate Planner Rachel Cohen,
Assistant Planner Kyle Bell and Recording Secretary Erica Inderlied
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented.
MINUTES: The minutes of April 20, 2015 were approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Donald Hedrick, SLO, commented that past projects in the Broad Street Area,
particularly in the district around northern Sacramento Drive, have set a detrimental
precedent, allowing too little setback too-high unit density.
There were no further comments from the public.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. 3680 Broad Street. ARCH-0810-2015; Review of a new affordable housing
mixed-use project with a categorical exemption from CEQA; C-S-S zone; For The
Future Housing, applicant.
Rachel Cohen, Associate Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the
Commission adopt a resolution which approves the project, based on findings and
subject to conditions she outlined.
In response to inquiry from Commr. Curtis, Senior Planner Dunsmore clarified that a
finding relating to Community Design Guideline consistency was intended to be
included in the draft resolution, and should be added should the Commission move to
approve.
Jim Rendler, applicant representative, SLO, noted project partnership with HASLO,
summarized the history of the project, noting that it will remain affordable for at least
fifty-five years, preferably in perpetuity; requested that the Commission move forward
and allow staff and applicants to resolve any outstanding issues, in the interest of timing
related to project financing.
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May 4, 2015
Page 2
Ben Seager, project architect, commented that the vertical metal siding would be half-
hexagon shaped. In response to inquiry from Chair Wynn, Seager clarified that no
elevator is proposed for the project, as accessible units are provided on the ground
floor.
Scott Smith, HASLO Executive Director, spoke in support of the project; noted that
HASLO would provide onsite management and assure continued project affordability.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Donald Hedrick, SLO, noted concern that the proposed design is inconsistent with its
industrial surroundings; suggested it could benefit financially and stylistically from the
use of a flat roof; noted concern that future widening of Broad Street will be infeasible
along the project’s frontage.
There were no further comments from the public.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commr. Andreen spoke in support of adding more short-term bicycle parking; noted she
would generally prefer to be able to review a proposed lighting plan at this stage.
Commr. Curtis noted desire to see more ample outdoor recreation areas for residents;
noted concern about the use of less aesthetically-pleasing building materials and design
for economic reasons; spoke in general support of the project.
Commr. Root spoke in support of the project; stated a desire for more landscaping;
noted concern that proposed frontage landscaping may present visibility issues for
future commercial tenants.
Commr. Nemcik voiced support for the project.
Vice-Chair Ehdaie stated a desire to include some enclosed garage spaces; noted the
importance of focusing on quality
Chair Wynn noted concern about the use of PVC roofing materials on the commercial
building.
There were no further comments from the Commission.
On motion by Commr. Nemcik, seconded by Vice-Chair Ehdaie, to adopt a resolution
approving the project based on findings and subject to conditions contained in the staff
report, with the following revisions:
a. Add the following conditions:
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May 4, 2015
Page 3
1. Applicant shall utilize a standing seam metal roof for the commercial
building, in order that its Broad Street Frontage comply with Community
Design Guidelines.
2. Applicant shall include five additional short-term bicycle parking spaces for
the commercial building and each residential building, for a total of fifteen
(15).
3. Applicant shall consider the inclusion of garage doors in order to provide
storage and architectural variety; if garage doors are not utilized, applicant
is encouraged to provide enclosed storage areas for residents elsewhere
upon the site.
b. Add the following Finding to the proposed resolution:
1. The project is consistent with the Community Design Guidelines because it
provides human scale architecture, significant wall and roof articulation and
is compatible with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhood.
AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, Wynn
NOES: None
RECUSED: None
ABSENT: Commr. Soll.
The motion passed on a 6:0 vote.
Wynn stated for the record that Donald Hedrick’s comment regarding use of a flat roof
had been noted, but that flat roofs are typically associated with commercial structures.
2. 1128 Morro Street. ARCH-0549-2014; Review of request to construct a four-story
hotel addition over the existing parking lot at the rear of the Granada Hotel with a
categorical exemption from CEQA; C-D-H zone; Lunacy Club, LLC, applicant.
Kyle Bell, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the
Commission adopt a resolution which approves the project, based on findings and
subject to conditions he outlined. Bell noted the Commission’s February 2015
conceptual review of the project.
Commr. Nemcik noted a desire to see previous designs for revised projects included in
staff report materials when the project is returned for the Commission’s review.
Jeff Bague, project architect, summarized the history of the project and revisions made
in response to advisory body comment; clarified that rooftop equipment will be located
primarily on the Marsh Street side of the building and that tower windows will likely be
clear rather than glazed.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Donald Hedrick, SLO, inquired as to the need for an elevator that allows roof access;
noted concern about the existing abundance of bars downtown.
There were no further comments from the public.
In response to public comment, staff clarified that any use of the rooftop will be limited
as an amenity to hotel guests.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commr. Curtis thanked the project architect for being responsive to past Commission
direction.
There were no further comments made from the Commission.
On motion by Commr. Root, seconded by Commr. Andreen, to adopt a resolution
approving the project based on findings and subject to conditions contained in the staff
report.
AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn
NOES: None
RECUSED: None
ABSENT: Commr. Soll
The motion passed on a 6:0 vote.
3. 1921 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARCH-0521-2014; Review of a new building with
four live/work units and a small commercial suite and consideration of a mitigated
negative declaration; C-S-H zone; Garcia Family Trust, applicant.
Chair Wynn announced that staff has recommended that this item be continued to a
date uncertain.
On motion by Commr. Andreen, seconded by Commr. Root, to continue the item to a
date uncertain.
AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn
NOES: None
RECUSED: None
ABSENT: Commr. Soll
The motion passed on a 6:0 vote.
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COMMENT AND DISCUSSION:
4. Staff:
a. Agenda Forecast
Senior Planner Dunsmore gave a forecast of upcoming agenda items.
5. Commission:
Commr. Root inquired as to the technical difference between short-term and long-
term parking; Senior Planner Dunsmore clarified that long-term parking is enclosed
whereas short-term is typically a rack.
Commr. Andreen requested that the Commission be notified whenever one of its
decisions has been appealed, so that a member may attend the appeal hearing.
Commissioners discussed ways in which their deliberation and recommendations
could best be presented to City Council during the appeal process.
In response to inquiry from Commr. Root, Senior Planner Dunsmore clarified that
an enhanced circulation plan for Emily Street and other streets in the Broad Street
Area is in the works.
Vice-Chair Ehdaie inquired whether applicants for major developments could be
required to present projects for conceptual review; Senior Planner Dunsmore
commented that staff could investigate the possibility.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Erica Inderlied
Recording Secretary