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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2014 ARC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES February 3, 2014 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Ken Curtis, Suzan Ehdaie, Steven Hopkins, Anthony Palazzo, Vice Chair Greg Wynn, and Chairperson Michelle McCovey- Good Commr. Wynn arrived around 6:00 p.m. after the discussion of the two public hearing items. Absent: None Staff: Senior Planner Pam Ricci, Associate Planner Marcus Carloni, and Recording Secretary Kyle Bell ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: The minutes of January 6, 2014, and January 13, 2014, were approved as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: There were no comments made from the public. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 1423 Calle Joaquin. ARC -S -MOD 153 -12; Review of request for modification to sign program project condition; C -S zone; Charles Alfano, Mercedes Benz, applicant. (Pam Ricci) Pam Ricci, Senior Planner, presented the staff report, recommending the adoption of the Draft Resolution, which approves the requested condition modification, based on findings, and subject to conditions. Commr. Curtis asked staff to clarify the main reason that the applicant had requested the change to the condition to lower the height of the monument signs. Senior Planner Ricci responded that the reason that the applicant requested the condition modification was to retain the monument signs at their current heights for continued visibility from the freeway due to large trucks often parking along the Calle Joaquin frontage and blocking views. ARC Minutes February 3, 2014 Page 2 Charles Alfano, applicant, further addressed the visibility concerns of the signs from the freeway and the need to keep them at their current heights. He added that the new dealership building he is constructing along with the associated site improvements will be a beautiful addition to the community. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr Curtis stated that he would be supporting the motion to approve the condition modification, but cautioned that this might set a precedent for other businesses to have taller signs along the freeway corridor. On motion by Commr. Palazzo, seconded by Commr_ Ehdaie, to adopt the draft resolution granting final approval to the requested modification to Condition No. 2 of Resolution No. ARC - 1014 -13 as recommended. AYES: Commrs. Curtis, Ehdaie, Hopkins, Palazzo, and Chairperson McCovey- Good NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commr. Greg Wynn The motion passed on a 5:0 vote 2. 3825 S. Hiquera Street. ARC 14 -13; Review of a new wireless telecommunication facility including a 69 -foot tall monopole disguised as a pine tree; M -SP zone; AT &T, applicant. (Marcus Carloni) Marcus Carloni, Associate Planner, presented the staff report recommending the adoption of the Draft Resolution, which grants final approval to the project, based on findings and subject to conditions. Commr. Curtis asked staff about the species of trees adjacent to the proposed Monopine. Associate Planner Carloni was unsure of the specific adjacent tree style but indicated the monopine style facility was used to complement existing coniferous trees at the subject property. Commr. Hopkins asked about the density of the foliage at the top of the tree. Commr. Ehdaie asked about the material of the tree and if the base was made out of concrete. ARC Minutes February 3, 2014 Page 3 Associate Planner Carloni answered that the tree trunk will be of a composite material designed to look like a tree trunk and the tree would be mounted to a concrete base that won't be visible. Commr. Ehdaie asked about the condition relating to the density of the foliage toward the top of the monopine. Associate Planner Carloni explained that the density of the foliage is to be consistent throughout the whole tree so that it will look more natural with varying branches that come to a point at the top. Commr. Ehdaie asked about the variety of coloring and shading of the pine. Associate Planner Carloni explained there is not a specific condition requiring alternating needle color and that the brown needles coming off the proposed faux branches are sufficient enough to add variety. Commr. Curtis questioned if the design of the tree was sturdy enough to withstand winds at the proposed height. Associate Planner Carloni deferred the wind load question to the applicant. Commr. Curtis expressed concern of branches blowing off the tree over a period of time and if the applicant is responsible for maintenance of the pine. Associate Planner Carloni indicated the applicant is responsible for maintenance per conditions of approval. Robert McCormick, applicant representative, indicated the tree can terminate at a point if two or three feet of limbs are added to the top of the tree. He also indicated the tree will be designed to withstand up to 90 m.p.h. winds. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Palazzo would rather see the pine wider at the base instead of making it taller to achieve the more natural taper. Associate Planner Carloni responded that there is no condition for the exact 69 -foot limit because some flexibility may be needed to achieve a natural appearance; the Community Development Director will review plans submitted for a construction permit for substantial conformance with heights shown on project plans. There were no further comments made from the Commission. ARC Minutes February 3, 2014 Page 4 On a motion by Commr. Ehdaie, seconded by Commr. Palazzo, to adopt the draft resolution granting final approval to the project design as recommended. AYES: Commrs. Curtis, Ehdaie, Hopkins, Palazzo, and Chairperson McCovey- Good NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commr. Greg Wynn The motion carried on a 5:0 vote 3. Staff: a. Agenda Forecast Pam Ricci gave an agenda forecast noting that the Commission will be meeting next Monday, February 10th and will be reviewing a new Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant building at the SLO Promenade and the Aesthetics section of the Johnson Avenue Housing Project EIR. She added that the Measure Y presentation would be moved to a later date, and that the Old Mission School Project had been appealed to the City Council. 4. Commission: The Commission had a general discussion about new businesses along Garden Street. Commr. Wynn mentioned that the old Union Bank building had been taken over by Heritage Oaks Bank and that there had been tree removals in the parking lot. He also asked staff to report at a later meeting about sidewalk cafe regulations and the possibility of removing barriers when businesses are closed. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Kyle Bell Recording Secretary Approved by the Architectural Review Commission on March 3, 2014. Cori Ryan Supervising Administrative Assistant