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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-2014 ARC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2014 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Patricia Andreen, Suzan Ehdaie, Amy Nemcik, Allen Root, Vice -Chair Greg Wynn, and Chairperson Michelle McCovey -Good Absent: Commissioner Ken Curtis Staff: Senior Planner Pam Ricci and Recording Secretary Diane Clement ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: The minutes of April 21, 2014, were approved as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: There were no comments made from the public. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 392 Prado Road. ARC 26 -14; Review of design guidelines for development of the business park component of the Serra Meadows project; BP /O zone; Mangano Homes, applicant. (Pam Ricci) Senior Planner Ricci presented the staff report, recommending adoption of the Draft Resolution which grants final approval to the project based on findings and subject to conditions which she outlined. Steve Peck, applicant's representative, noted the developer's commitment to create low -scale office development that is compatible with adjacent residential development. Scott Martin, RRM Design Group, noted that compatibility was the main focus of the guidelines. He indicated that the applicant desired to keep the design theme consistent along Prado Road, and the Spanish architectural style was selected because of its versatility and compatibility with the residences beyond. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Robert DeVries, SLO, expressed concern about access to future businesses that will occupy the Business Park /Office lots because this access from the traffic circle will be shared by residents of the homes behind this project. He noted that parking may become a problem because the alley between some of the homes and the future ARC Minutes May 5, 2014 Page 2 businesses is narrow. He also noted that the design of the project and the potential for two -story buildings will affect the view from his home. Annie Shanks, SLO, expressed the same concerns as Mr. DeVries. She asked if access to the business buildings could be somewhere other than from her street. Planner Ricci noted that this was not possible, as the access had been laid out with the approval of the tract map and improvement plans. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Root stated that quality is more important than variation in architectural styles. Commr. Nemcik stated that she likes having just one architectural style but finds the colors presented limiting. Commr. Andreen suggested a more expansive palate of colors. She stated that she would rather see more colors than more styles. She noted that the houses already built look good with the variety of door colors. Commr. Wynn agreed with Commr. Andreen. Senior Planner Ricci asked if the ARC would support the suggested change in wording that would allow other architectural styles compatible with the Margarita Specific Plan chapter on community design, subject to the review and approval of the ARC. She noted that documenting this in the guidelines would be useful for planners working on projects in this area in the future. Commr. Wynn noted that changes would need approval of the Property Owners Association (POA) before coming to the ARC. Commr. Root stated he would like some variation in the height of the commercial buildings, such as towers, and some variation in setback. He noted the need to be sensitive about the perspective of the residents, especially about how the buildings might block the sun in winter and the potential for the commercial buildings to overlook the homes. Senior Planner Ricci stated that the taller heights could be limited to the front half of the commercial buildings, away from the residences. Commr. Andreen stated she supports the residents' concerns about the height of the commercial buildings but noted that the ARC should make a definitive statement about this to avoid future controversy which would be hard on the neighborhood. Commr. Wynn stated he is comfortable with the applicant's initial request to limit buildings to one story and 20 feet in height. ARC Minutes May 5, 2014 Page 3 Commr. Ehdaie stated that she prefers what is suggested by the applicant but that the option of two -story buildings would add variety and, therefore, value. She supported having the POA deal with making decisions about two -story buildings. Commr. McCovey -Good stated that she likes the concept of two -story live /work units but favors keeping these buildings one -story with some taller elements for variation. She noted the need to be sensitive to the residents. Commr. Root stated he supports the one -story height but would like to allow exceptions to be able to be considered. Senior Planner Ricci noted that the higher limits are allowed in the Margarita Specific Plan, Commr. Andreen supported Commr. Root's suggestion. Senior Planner Ricci stated that, if a project had a design supported by the POA and was consistent with the design guidelines, then it could go through a minor or incidental architectural review process once it was submitted to the City. She noted that at one point in the past more distance between the business park and the residences was planned. Commr. Root suggested restrictions on the building footprints if the two -story height is allowed. Commr. Wynn suggested wording that refers to a 20 -foot maximum with ten percent of each building allowed to be 25 feet in height. It was noted that this would be enough for a residential unit on the second floor. He stated he was torn because the applicant was satisfied with a 20 -foot maximum building height. There was a discussion about transparency and appearance of the buildings on the Prado Road side with concern about the possibility of blank walls. There was consensus that the walls facing Prado Road should incorporate windows and articulation consistent with the other elevations of the buildings. There were no further comments made from the Commission. On motion by Commr. Andreen seconded by Commr. Ehdaie to approve the Draft Resolution, granting final approval to the project with the General Comments /Recommendations 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 suggested by staff adopted as presented and Recommendation 3 to read "c. Update Section 2.3.d. to allow up to 10% of the building area to be up to 25 -feet tall on Lots 53 54 55 56 & 58. and a new condition to read "The building walls facing Prado Road shall incorporate windows and articulation consistent with the other elevations of the buildings." ARC Minutes May 5, 2014 Page 4 AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Ehdaie, McCovey -Good, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commr. Curtis The motion passed on a 6:0 vote COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 2. Staff: a. Agenda Forecast by Senior Planner Ricci 1) May 19, 2014, meeting: 323 Grand Avenue, changes to Marigold Center monument signs, and maybe a small project on Johnson near Pismo where the applicant is requesting an exception to the creek setback to expand a residence. Senior Planner Ricci will be absent. 2) June 2, 2014, meeting: remodel of a warehouse on the east side of Higuera across from the cemetery for Cal Trans offices. 3. Commission: a. Commr. Curtis will be absent for the May 19, 2014, meeting. b. Commr. Andreen volunteered to be the ARC representative on the Tree Committee. c. Commr. Root asked about whether the new water tower on the old Froom Ranch above Costco is in the City and its purpose. d. Commr. Wynn complimented the progress and appearance of the adobe on Chorro, the iFixit remodel of the former car dealership at 1313 Monterey, and the upgrades to the old Daylight Gardens buildings at 1234 Monterey Street. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Diane Clement Recording Secretary Approved by the Architectural Review Commission on May 19, 2014. Zva4s--::� J4-1,,� Lauri Thomas Administrative Assistant III