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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2014 ARC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES November 17, 2014 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, Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell, and Recording Secretary Diane Clement ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as amended. MINUTES: The minutes of November 3, 2014, were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Jan Marx commended the Commission for its hard work and apologized for "going overboard" in how she expressed herself at the last City Council meeting. She stated that she really values what the Commission does and did not mean to denigrate the Commission in any way. She stated that her concern stems from her 27 -year involvement with historic preservation. She added that it is a daunting task to apply all that is within the Commission's purview and she knows this is undertaken in a serious manner. She noted that one of those tasks is to grapple with the Design Guidelines and that the Commission needs to apply the City's Historic Guidelines, which are, in many ways, higher standards than those in the national guidelines. She read from the 1987 resolution that adopted the guidelines and noted that the standards were arrived at after hours and hours of public testimony and work done by staff. She noted that there has been turnover on the Architectural Review Commission and the Cultural Heritage Committee and with staff, so there is a need for training to understand the present situation and the guidelines and how they would be applied. She added that the Commission has the ability to vote to put items on the agenda. She concluded by noting that there is a "missing link somewhere." Commr. Andreen thanked the Mayor for coming to speak to the Commission and stated that she supports the recommendation for more training and a joint meeting with the CHC. There were no further comments made from the public. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 1460 Calle Joaquin. ARCH - 0047 -2014; Review of the conversion of a restaurant building into a car wash; Auzco Development, LLC, applicant. (Walter Oetzell) ARC Minutes November 17, 2014 Page 2 Assistant Planner Oetzell presented the staff report, recommending adoption of the draft resolution granting final approval of the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions. George Garcia, Garcia Arch itecture +Design, stated that the sign was very recently revised after input from the Planning Commission to better fit the style of the building. He listed the height of other signs nearby on Calle Joaquin - -ARCO 18', AAA 12' 6 ", Motel 6 16', Alfano Motors 16', —and asserted that there is consistency on the street at around 16'. In response to a question, he noted that the sign is 16 feet tall to the top of the Quiky circle while the entire sign is 19' 6" tall. He stated that he wanted consideration for this new sign design at this meeting and did not want the project sent back to staff just because the sign had changed. He noted that the detail bay will be inside the structure and that the location for a possible bench would probably be between the end of the tunnel and the dog spa. In response to a suggestion by Commr. Curtis that the tunnel extensions match the original building exterior better, Mr. Garcia replied that he did look at a contextual addition but that it is better to differentiate additions because it makes the historic chronology of the building readily apparent. He noted that the extensions were minimal in design to downplay them. Applicant Hamish Marshall added that if there was in the future an outdoor area for detailing, a shade cloth would be put up to protect workers. He also noted that this car wash will have the same signage as the one on Broad Street except there may not be an entry sign and will not be an exit sign. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments made from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Andreen asked whether a place could be found on the site for a bench. Hamish Marshall said "yes." Commr. Wynn inquired about the dog wash spa. Hamish Marshall explained how the dog wash spa unit worked. Commr. McCovey -Good stated that the project is a creative use for the structure and she is glad it will be maintained. Commr. Curtis noted that questions were raised about the additions at the ends of the building and he agrees with the applicant about differentiation of design. Commr. Andreen stated that she likes the color combination and noted it looks crisp. Senior Planner Ricci stated that staff had issues with the previous sign but is really happy with the new design which is more in keeping with the period architecture. She ARC Minutes November 17, 2014 Page 3 stated that staff had three concerns -1) the three buttons add an interesting design element but there is concern about the superfluous messages on them; 2) the height is actually 19 feet, not 16 feet, so to approve the project, findings need to be made to allow that height; 3) projection over the public right -of- way —the building code allows for some projection, which is mostly seen in projecting signs in the downtown core, not in other parts of the city and she would have to follow up with Public Works to make sure it is acceptable. Commr. Andreen asked about the specifics of a finding allowing the 19 -foot elevation. Senior Planner Ricci stated that superior design would be one of the reasons and the Commission would want to look at materials and illumination levels of the sign. Commr. Wynn stated that the new design for the sign is a huge improvement but he shares staff's concerns and could not make the finding for the height. He added that he is not too bothered by the encroachment over the sidewalk because that sidewalk does not get much use. He noted that the three buttons are integrally important to the sign but not the text on them. He suggested that the buttons not be illuminated while the Quiky sign and just the white in "car wash" would be illuminated. He stated he is fine with the flange on the inside edge and the asymmetrical design, and added that the sign would be acceptable with or without the flange. Commr. Root stated he does not have a problem with the height but noted there is not a strong argument for justifying it. He added that the encroachment over the sidewalk is not a problem. He stated that the three buttons are acceptable and, if the only other place the information on the buttons is located is the menu, then this information may be necessary. Commr. Andreen stated that her only concern is the height because, if this height is allowed here, then others will want to exceed the 16 -foot maximum. Senior Planner Ricci stated that signs are typically required to be set back five feet but the Commission could approve an exception. Commr. Wynn supported the staff recommendation to push the sign back so it does not encroach over the right -of -way. Commr. Curtis stated he would like to see the height reduced to 16 feet. He noted that the buttons do add to the sign but agreed they should not be illuminated. He stated he had no objection about encroachment into the public right -of -way and, if there are concerns about liability, they can be dealt with through an encroachment permit for the sign. He noted that this finding is somewhat difficult to support because the sign can be constructed without the encroachment. Commr. Ehdaie stated that the revised sign is a much nicer design and her only concerns are the height and encroachment. She stated it would be best if the design complied with the height and encroachment standards and no exceptions were made. ARC Minutes November 17, 2014 Page 4 Commr. Nemcik stated that she understood that it is hard to find a reason to allow the height, but asked how the design could be changed to get it to 16 feet. Commr. Wynn expressed the same concern. Commr. Nemcik stated the height is acceptable, and that lowering the sign height could affect the proportions of the sign. She stated that likes the buttons which provide great balance to the sign. She noted that the standards are about trying not to have advertising on the sign and wondered if taking "only' off would keep it in compliance. Commr. Wynn stated he could support keeping the height but pulling the sign back. Commr. Ehdaie stated there are other ways to do this without making an exception that would set a precedent. Architect Garcia responded to a question from Commr. Andreen about how the sign could be modified to lower the height. He indicated that he could potentially modify the copy for the buttons, and eliminate the encroachment into the right -of -way, but his biggest concern would be lowering the height as it would compromise the design. He noted that the new sign faces have much less square footage than the earlier version. Senior Planner Ricci suggested that since the majority wants to allow the height, the finding should point out the sign's unique structure with the sharp point. Commr. Root stated that, in reference to superior design, the finding should address that it is superior because it harkens back to Googie architecture. He noted that Googie signs were massive, including the Denny's sign on this building. He added that there is no copy above 16 feet and the sign is modest. Commr. McCovey -Good took a straw vote on the height. Commrs. Root, Nemcik and Wynn stated they would approve the height. Commr. Ehdaie stated she would also approve it with the superior design finding. Commr. Curtis stated he could not approve the height exception and noted that every designer thinks their design is a superior design. Commr. Andreen stated she would approve it but that it would be important to be careful in crafting the language. Commr. Wynn noted that the sign is taller than the eave height. Commr. Andreen noted that lowering the height would mean the angle would have to change which would add to the right side of the sign. Commr. Wynn stated that everything is malleable and asked how far beyond the line the Commission is willing to make findings. He suggested that the applicant make a case to the Community Development Director who could then make the decision. Senior Planner Ricci stated it would be better to have the Commission make a decision. ARC Minutes November 17, 2014 Page 5 Commr. Wynn stated there has to be a definite reason for that specific height in the finding. Commr. McCovey -Good stated that it is all about proportions. Commr. Andreen stated that she can see a one -foot reduction in size coming off the bottom because it would preserve the design. She suggested adding that the sign is well below the maximum square footage allowed. There were no further comments made from the Commission. On motion by Commr. Ehdaie, seconded by Commr. Nemcik, to adopt the draft resolution granting final approval to the project with the following Chan es: 1 Add a new Finding, which reads: ° °A sign exception to allow a maximum height of 19' 6" for the upper point of the proposed freestanding sin is for superior design, will not result in visual clutter, and is consistent with the intent and purpose of the Sign Regulations because the additional sign area over 16 feet in height: a. constitutes a small area of the sign structure; b. does not include any copy or illumination; and c. creates a sign design that is consistent with the building's Googie architectural style." 2) Modify Condition #7 to read: 7. Signs: The applicant must obtain sign permits for all proposed signage, these permits are separate from building construction plans. The Community Development_ Director may approve signage that is consistent with the building architecture and use of the site as a_ carwash. Any sign proposed, which is of excessive scale, not in keeping with the character of the _building on the site, or otherwise inconsistent with Community Design Guidelines, will be referred to the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) for further review. The freestanding sign reviewed by the ARC at the meeting shall be modified as follows: a. The sin shall be fully contained within the site and not encroach over the sidewalk included within the City riqht- of -way, and b. The small signs on the lower portion of the sign referred to as the "buttons_ "_shall not be illuminated." 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. 2. 742 Marsh Street. ARCMI 128 -14; Review of fagade improvements to a commercial structure within the Historic Downtown District; C -D -H zone; Ariel Shannon, applicant. (Continued to a date uncertain) (Rachel Cohen) On motion by Commr. Ehdaie, seconded by Commr. Curtis, to continue the hearing to a date uncertain. ARC Minutes November 17, 2014 Page 6 AYES: Commrs. Ehdaie, Curtis, Andreen, McCovey -Good, Nemcik, Root, & Wynn NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: None The motion passed on a 7:0 vote COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 3. Staff: a. Agenda Forecast: • December 1, 2014: medical office building by French Hospital, final version of the budget goals, conceptual review of a mixed use building at 581 Higuera Street, possibly a conceptual review of a residential project in the Orcutt Specific Plan Area. • December 15, 2014: conceptual review of a mixed use project (64 residential units and 6000 feet of commercial space) at 2120 Santa Barbara Street, new commercial development at the old Shell station site between Higuera and Monterey on Santa Rosa, and homeless shelter • January meetings will be on January 5 and 12, 2015. b. Commission Goals 2015 -2017: The Commission reviewed the updated ARC goals and asked for some minor edits. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Diane Clement Recording Secretary Approved by the Architectural Review Commission on December 1, 2014. LauriejThomas Administrative Assistant III