HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-14 JHC Minutes
SPECIAL MEETING
1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 5:30 PM
FINAL
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ron Batterson called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM
ROLL CALL: Chair Ron Batterson, Vice Chair Kathi Settle, Committee Members
Bob Gordon, Marcia Nelson, Eva Ulz, Toni Kincaid, Susan
Updegrove
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Melissa Mudgett – Recreation Manager, Dave Setterlund-Recreation
Supervisor, Faith McDonald- Recreation Specialist
1. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED MARSH STREET DEVELOPMENT (PB
COMPANIES, RANDY ALONZO)
Mr. Alonzo presented PB companies’ conceptual design for the Marsh Street Development
to the Committee. He provided an overview of the City’s historic documents and a previous
unadopted 2002 Downtown Concept Plan that had proposed an extension from the
downtown area through a plaza that would be accessed in between buildings that led to the
Jack House. The company’s proposed to develop this project while listening to the concerns
of the Jack House Committee. PB Companies identified these concerns through consulting
the Architectural Review Commission, various City Staff and the Jack House Committee.
PB Companies discussed potential offsets to address these concerns such as planting plans,
trash collection, pedestrian travel/walkways, lighting, storage and preservation of historic
artifacts. PB Companies expressed a desire to the Committee to help with mitigation of
some of these concerns through their proposed projects.
Staff Member Hendricks discussed the inability to cultivate plants of color for wedding
backdrops below the standing redwood trees. PB Properties responded that a green screen
could be created.
PB Companies discussed its desire to remove the three mature Redwood trees located on the
Jack House property and replanting with Italian Cypress (that can reach 12-14ft when
matured). The Committee responded that the Redwoods were planted by a Jack Family
Jack House Committee
FINAL - MINUTES
Jack House Committee Minutes
June 11, 2014
Page 2 of 4
descendant, Katchy Andrews, in the 1980’s and would be hesitant about supporting the
removal of these trees.
PB Companies expressed the idea of developing a pedestrian paseo between the Jack House
property and the proposed Marsh Street development with proposed underground parking
for property residents. Committee Member Kincaid asked if the paseo would be ADA
accessible from the patio side. Mr. Alonzo assured the group that there would be fire access
from the paseo.
Committee Member Ulz commented on the project’s ability to have internal monitors. Past
construction projects have caused damage to other historical properties, and reiterated to PB
Companies’ that it is the mission of the Committee to preserve the Jack House residence and
property.
Chair Batterson asked about the well on the 570 side of the property.
Staff member Melissa Mudgett explained the hours of operation for City parks is 7am to
10:00pm as per the City’s adopted ordinance. This ordinance provides enforcement
capabilities to the Police Department during for non-operating hours as City parks are not
locked. The City has designated neighborhood police officers that provide routine patrols.
Staff member Mudgett shared information about current City policies that may limit the
development concept as proposed by PB Companies. .
1. Donation of any portion of the Jack House grounds would be deemed as a gift of
public funds which is not allowable per the City’s adopted Financial policies.
2. The City’s General Plan and Parks and Recreation Element designated the acreage of
required park land in ratio to development. Currently the ratio is below the ideal as
stated in the Element. A conversion of Jack House property into a new usage would
further reduce the parkland acreage available.
Public Comment
Various neighborhood residents provided comment about the proposed project. Comments
made by the neighborhood residents included:
• Thankful to have the opportunity to be involved in the review process
• Feeling of not being fully informed about the proposed development
• Concerns about noise nuisances
• A neighbor expressed an opinion that he felt the PB Companies proposed project was
not a true community building process
• Like to see additional lighting
• Would like the proposed design to have a better “community feel”. It was expressed
that the single family homes and lofts seem disconnected from the area.
Jack House Committee Minutes
June 11, 2014
Page 3 of 4
Presenter Comments
Mr. Alonzo discussed further collaborations needed to continue the project.
Mr. Jack Crotser, PB Companies representative explained that making the refinements
would be a constructive way to implement the midblock connections policy.
Mr. Alonzo shared that a public meeting with the ARC will be held on December 1, 2014 at
5pm (at City Hall – 990 Palm Street) for a conceptual review of the proposed 581 Higuera
Street development. Mr. Alonzo also requested the Committee provide PB Companies an
additional Special Meeting in February to further discuss the project.
Commission Comments
Chair Batterson thanked PB Companies for the presentation and shared that the Committee
would take the proposal and the public comments under advisement. Chair Batterson asked
if Foster’s Freeze would be welcomed back into the proposed restaurant spaces. Chair
Batterson requested PB Companies provide elevation renderings of the proposed project.
2. DISCUSS CANCELLATION OF DECEMBER 10, 2014 AND JANUARY 14,
2015 REGULAR MEETINGS (DAVE SETTERLUND)
The Committee discussed the cancellation of the December 10, 2014 and January 14, 2015
meetings. The Committee has planned a field trip to the Jack Family Ranch on January 14,
2015.
Motion. Approve the cancellation of the December 10, 2014 and January 14, 2015
meetings as proposed. (Kincaid/Ulz) yes: 6, no: 0, absent: 1 (Gordon)
3. MEMBER COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS (RON BATTERSON)
Staff Member Mudgett explained the midblock connections plan was a part of a conceptual
Downtown Concept Plan but that the Concept Plan was never approved/adopted by the City
Council when it was developed roughly 10 years ago.
Committee Member Ulz shared her concerns about potential restrictions regarding the PB
Companies proposed project.
Chair Kincaid said she will be emailing Cliff regarding the Jack Ranch field trip in January.
Committee Member Ulz shared that the History Center would be hosting events on
December 10th and 11th that the Committee was invited to attend.
Jack House Committee Minutes
June 11, 2014
Page 4 of 4
Staff Member Setterlund shared that he would be providing Chair Batterson and Committee
Member Kincaid with a list of potential maintenance issues, and that facilities and ground
maintenance would be present at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Staff Member Mudgett responded to the Jack House Committee’s desire for a crosswalk on
Marsh Street and that she had received correspondence from the Transportation Manager
regarding the crosswalk and would be forwarding the message to Chair Batterson.
Meeting adjourned at 7:07pm to the next Regular Meeting on February 11, 2015 at 5:30 pm.
Approved by the Jack House Committee on __________________.
Dave Setterlund, Parks and Recreation Department Supervisor