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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-2014 ARC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 OATH OF OFFICE: Reappointed Commissioner Greg Wynn and new Commissioners Patricia Andreen, Amy Nemcik, and Allen Root were sworn in by City Clerk Anthony Mejia City Clerk Anthony Mejia administered the oath of office to the re- appointed and new Commissioners. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Patricia Andreen, Ken Curtis, Suzan Ehdaie, Amy Nemcik, Allen Root, Vice -Chair Greg Wynn, and Chairperson Michelle McCovey -Good Absent: None Staff: Senior Planner Pam Ricci, Associate Planner Marcus Carloni, and Recording Secretary Diane Clement ELECTION: Current Chairperson McCovey -Good was nominated by Commr. Curtis, seconded by Commr. Ehdaie, and elected unanimously to continue as Chairperson. Current Vice -Chair Greg Wynn was nominated by Commr. Ehdaie, seconded by Commr. Root, and elected unanimously to continue as Vice - Chair. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: The minutes of March 17, 2014, were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: There were no comments made from the public. PRESENTATION: Measure Y Presentation (Derek Johnson) Community Development Director Derek Johnson provided a presentation summarizing Measure Y and responded to Commission questions. COMMISSION COMMENTS: ARC Minutes April 7, 2014 Page 2 Commr. Curtis noted that, while the language in the current measure specifies a potential range of funding uses, there has been some controversy over the spending allocations. He asked if the survey of residents covered how they felt about the relative spending. Community Development Director Johnson responded that residents indicated a preference for spending funds on capital improvements. He noted that the recession started right after the approval of Measure Y and that those funds helped the City maintain essential services despite the downturn in the economy. He stated that the Council is now dealing with the question of whether to put emphasis on spending in a particular area with a special purpose tax measure or continue with a general tax measure. Commr. Wynn stated that it would be good if the funds spent on flood control improvements were reflected on the insurance rate maps so that residents could benefit directly via rate reductions. Community Development Director Johnson stated that this is being discussed as part of the General Plan update. He noted that the cost benefit of doing a flood control project downtown is being investigated and that it could happen through Measure Y or a special district. He stated that Measure Y monies have been directed to making sure the current system operates well. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 12350 Los Osos Valley Road. ARC 124 -12; Review of 1,200- square foot addition, new signage, and facade upgrades, including an illuminated entry feature, for the Toyota dealership; C -S -S zone; John Frangie, applicant. (Marcus Carloni) Associate Planner Carloni presented the staff report, recommending adoption of the Draft Resolution (Attachment 1) which approves the project, based on findings and subject to conditions which he outlined. Sarah Thompson, Study Design Group Architects, SLO, representing the Toyota dealership, stated that the illuminated signage will not pulse or change colors and will provide one even level of illumination. She stated that the dealership, not Toyota, decides the hours of portal illumination and that, most likely, it will go off when the dealership closes (9 p.m. M -F, 6 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday), or, at most, a half hour after closing. She stated this can be clarified with the owner. She noted that the owner is amenable to replanting the palm trees onsite. Commr. Wynn asked if the portal illumination is dimmable. Ms. Thompson responded that it is not. Commr. Root asked for a rationale for extending the height of the canopy parapet. Ms. Thompson stated that the panels are modular, approximately 6 feet wide x 4 feet high, stacked two high with a trim piece on top and that one panel alone would not have the same massing as two stacked. ARC Minutes April 7, 2014 Page 3 Commr. Root asked if the light source will be energy efficient. Garth Rosenberger, representing Toyota headquarters in Torrance, stated that Toyota is designing a white LED light source which would further reduce the foot - candles. Ms. Thompson added that the combination of a thicker diffuser and the type of illumination being used will result in very even lighting. Mr. Rosenberger stated that the dealership will comply with the hours of illumination the City requires. Commr. McCovey -Good asked if there has been any discoloration in the performance of the glass panels. Mr. Rosenberger responded that some portals have been in place for about eight years without discoloration. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. McCovey -Good stated that the hours of illumination need clarification. Commr. Wynn stated that there is a need for a discussion of whether a portal is a sign or in a new category of illuminated architecture requiring new rules. He expressed a concern that approval of this project will set a precedent for other businesses. Commr. Curtis stated he will be voting against this application because he regards the illuminated space on the signage (behind the lettering), not just the box drawn around the letters, as part of the sign that should be included in the measurements. He stated he does not buy the argument that illumination benefits the main entrance because there are other architectural treatments that would work for both daylight and evening hours and that approval sets an unfortunate precedent for illuminated signage. Commr. Andreen suggested adding wording to Finding 4 that this illumination is confined to the entry area which makes it more of a focal point consistent with the Community Design Guidelines. Commr. Wynn asked whether the edges and /or backs of the panels are also illuminated. Ms. Thompson stated that only the glass on the fronts is illuminated and the backs are a solid material. Commr. Wynn complimented the architectural design except the portal, which he described as bothersome. He noted that the City does not have regulations for this new type of design. He stated that limiting the hours of illumination is important. Commr. Ehdaie stated that she is supportive of this project. ARC Minutes April 7, 2014 Page 4 There were no further comments made from the Commission. On motion by Commr. Ehdaie, and seconded by Commr. Andreen, to adopt the Draft Resolution approving the project with these additions: 1) a second sentence added to Finding #4 indicating that illumination is confined to the entrance area to create a focal point for the building_ consistent with the Community Design Guidelines; 2) a new condition indicating illumination shall be limited to thirty minutes after closing or 10 p.m. at the latest; and 3 )anew condition indicating the Palm trees proposed for removal will need to be transplanted on -site otherwise removal will require review by the Tree Committee. AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Ehdaie, McCovey -Good, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn NOES: Commr. Curtis RECUSED: None ABSENT: None The motion passed on a 6:1 vote. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 2. Staff: Agenda Forecast of upcoming projects by Senior Planner Ricci a. April 21, 2014: proposal for University Square face lift and new addition similar to the recently- reviewed proposal for Foothill Plaza. b. May 5, 2014: Design guidelines for Serra Meadows c. Future: 102 -room hotel — The Monterey — on upper Monterey Street; and a proposal for a new telecommunications antenna disguised as a tree — Morrison Street off of McMillan near the railroad tracks 1 Commission: Commr. Root stated he had concerns about the portal just approved since there is nothing that prohibits it, and it could establish a potentially regrettable precedent. He noted the importance of looking into additional language to deal with this type of signage. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Diane Clement Recording Secretary Approved by the Architectural Review Commission on April 21, 2014. Laur e Thomas Administrative Assistant