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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-2015 CHC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE MINUTES June 22, 2015 ROLL CALL: Present: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Craig Kincaid, James Papp, Vice -Chair Thom Brajkovich, 2 Positions Vacant Absent: Chair Jaime Hill Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Assistant Planner Kyle Bell, and Recording Secretary Erica Inderlied ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: Minutes of May 26, 2015, were approved as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: There were no comments from the public. DISCUSSION: Design Review Workshop — Feedback & Discussion Senior Planner Leveille summarized the activities that took place at the joint Design Review Workshop held for the Architectural Review Commission and Cultural Heritage Committee on June 10 -11, 2015. Committee Member Baer commented that some of the presentation materials seemed poorly planned or reproduced; noted that the inclusion of community members and Council members added significantly to the value of the experience. Committee Member Papp commented that the inclusion of CEQA and Secretary of Interior Standards training would have been helpful. Papp noted his recent attendance at an Architectural Review Commission meeting; stated that the presence of CHC members at that meeting was well- received and effective. The Committee discussed ways in which the Committee's recommendations may be more fully or usefully communicated to higher Advisory Bodies and the Council. Vice -Chair Brajkovich commented that the workshop was valuable; stated that increased advertisement of future workshops would be helpful for the public. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 1. 1144 Chorro Street. ARCH - 1376 -2015; Review of exterior building modifications in the Historic Downtown District, with a categorical exemption from environmental review; C -D -H zone; Discovery San Luis Obispo, applicant. CHC Minutes June 22, 2015 Page 2 Kyle Bell, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the Committee find the project consistent with the Historic Preservation Guidelines and recommend that the Architectural Review Commission approve the project design based on findings and subject to conditions which he outlined. In response to Committee Member Papp, Senior Planner Leveille clarified that the Committee's purview includes recommendations regarding the use of specific materials, when based on consistency with historical guidelines. Mark Rawson, property owner representative, summarized the project to date; noted that finding an appropriate use for the site has taken some time; clarified that the amount of sidewalk dining encroachment varies depending on the width of available sidewalk. Jeremy Pemberton, applicant representative, summarized the various components of the use proposed for the site and its target clientele; noted commitment to thorough renovation and use and preservation of high - quality materials. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments from the public. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Committee Member Baer commented that the aesthetic appears somewhat dark overall; noted that windows that extend to the ground, and the lack of upper -story windows, appears to conflict with design guidelines. Member Baer spoke in support of the inclusion of brick and zinc elements; noted that the effect of wood elements imparts a dark look, and that the aesthetic appears incongruous with many surrounding buildings. Committee Member Papp spoke in support of the project as a sensitive treatment of the building, removing stucco to expose brick; commented that the potential for fagade improvements is quite limited by the existing building construction, which is an example of a mid - century modern building, although not a good one. In response to inquiry from Committee Member Papp, Mr. Rawson clarified that the plaques commemorating Riley's Department Store employees would remain in place. Senior Planner Leveille clarified that staff's recommendation of the proposed architectural styling was intended to avoid conjectural elements, and was made in consideration of the scope of the project which includes a tenant improvement to accommodate the change in use. Vice -Chair Brajkovich spoke in support of the proposal as an adaptive re -use project; commented that concerns about historic guidelines regarding the treatment of upper fenestration, articulated roofing, etc., do not need to be an issue given the architecture of the building. There were no further comments from the Committee. CHC Minutes June 22, 2015 Page 3 On motion by Committee Member Kincaid, seconded by Committee Member Papp, to find the project compatible with the Downtown Historic District and consistent with the Historic Preservation Guidelines and recommend that the Architectural Review Commission approve the project subject to recommended conditions of approval in the draft resolution and including the following condition: Directional Item #3. The plaques commemorating Riley store employees shall be retained and the project shall include the use of authentic brick. AYES: Committee Members Baer, Brajkovich, Kincaid, and Papp NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Committee Member Hill (and 2 Positions Vacant) The motion passed on a 4:0 vote. 2, 1053 Islay Street. ARCH-1170-2015; Review of remodel and addition behind a residence that is a Contributing List Resource in the Old Town Historic District; R- 3-H zone; Lesa Jones, applicant. (Continued to a Date Certain — July 27, 2015) Senior Planner Leveille noted that staff recommended continuation of consideration of this application to the July 27, 2015, meeting of the Committee. This item was continued by general consent of the Committee. The motion passed on a 4:0 vote. 3. Staff a. Agenda Forecast Senior Planner Leveille gave a forecast of upcoming agenda items, including a joint meeting of the Architectural Review Commission and Cultural Heritage Committee scheduled for July 13, 2015, to review a mixed -use project adjacent to the Jack House. The Committee discussed the need to verify there will not be potential conflicts of interest for the joint meeting that may arise from members' involvement with the Jack House. 4. Committee In response to inquiry from Committee Member Papp, Senior Planner Leveille clarified that the Committee may make recommendations regarding issues such as building height, if the recommendation can be made within the scope of the Committee's purview of the Historic Preservation Ordinance; and, he clarified that the CHC's scope was more limited with the recent action on the project at 1921 CHC Minutes June 22, 2015 Page 4 Santa Barbara Avenue because of a previous action of the CHC on the project; and that it was an unusual project from a process standpoint. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Erica Inderlied Recording Secretary Approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee on July 27, 2015. Caurij Thomas Administrative Assistant III