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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-2016 CHC Minutes�r� Cultural Heritage Committee Minutes SAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE MINUTES January 25, 2016 CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Cultural Heritage Committee was called to order on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Hill. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Craig Kincaid, Shannon Larrabee (arrived at 5:56 p.m.), James Papp, Leah Walthert, Vice -Chair Brajkovich, and Chair Jaime Hill Absent: None Staff: Community Development Director Codron, Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Associate Planner Rachel Cohen, Associate Planner Marcus Carloni, Contract Planner Shawna Scott, and Assistant City Clerk John Paul Maier ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES By consensus, the committee approved the Minutes of November 23, 2015 were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS There were no members of the public desiring to speak. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. Citywide. ARCH -2408-2015; Review of City wayfinding signs: Downtown Orientation Map kiosks and a new City Hall Information Center and Wayfinding Kiosk in the Downtown Historic District, City of San Luis Obispo, Public Works Department, applicant. (Rachel Cohen) CHC Minutes 01-25-16 Page 2 Associate Planner Cohen narrated a PowerPoint presentation and presented a brief timeline of events, noting that the project was developed with the assistance of RRM Design Group and Rademaker Design. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no members of the public desiring to speak. There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Hill closed the public hearing. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Associate Planner Cohen presented the Downtown Orientation Map Kiosk mock up samples, describing the dimensions: 7 feet tall and five feet 6 inches wide; added that the information displayed on the kiosk will be double -sided and located in pedestrian walkways in locations that will be identifiable from a distance; stated that the City Hall mailboxes will be relocated and the City Hall Information Center and Wayfinding Kiosk will replace the existing kiosk. Associate Planner Cohen presented a map of the proposed locations of the kiosks, highlighting that the Wayfinding Kiosk will be located in front of City Hall and incorporate similar colors and design to the City Hall Building. Chair Hill recognized Engineer III McGuire, Debbie Rudd of RRM Design Group, and Pierre Rademaker of Rademaker Design to answer inquiries made by the Committee. Committee Member Kincaid inquired about the lack of a kiosk in the quadrant near the Firestone Grill area, noting that visitors enter the downtown in that general area. In response to Committee Member Kincaid's inquiries, Engineer III McGuire stated that the primary locations have been determined near parking garages and secondary locations have been cited for future consideration. Chair Hill inquired about the use of the existing directory signs; questioned if feedback has been provided from the public and asked why existing style and signage are not replicated for consistency. In response to Chair Hill's inquiries, Mr. Rademaker explained that the new kiosks have been developed to include maps, highlighting that the kiosks are strictly for pedestrian use. Community Development Director Codron stated that the presented kiosks are in a different classification for signage in the downtown area. Vice Chair Brajkovich inquired about the location of the kiosk site near City Hall. In response to Vice Chair Brajkovich, Mr. Rademaker explained that the sign near City Hall has been developed to help assist pedestrians in determining locations for City facilities. CHC Minutes 01-25-16 Page 3 Mr. Rademaker and Ms. Rudd narrated a PowerPoint presentation, noting that this project is in the second phase; emphasized that this phase is conceptual, pending design development phase for maps, orientation, and content. Mr. Rademaker spoke on the influence of the current concepts and characteristics of kiosks from Russel Square, London and New York, New York, highlighting content presented in the different kiosks: pedestrian crossings, historical landmarks, and other pedestrian map information. Ms. Rudd explained that the maps may include additional information such as website links to historical maps and visitor information. Mr. Rademaker presented photos of the mock up kiosks in their anticipated locations respectively and spoke on the anticipated design for the City wayfinding Kiosk, noting that the style of the kiosk has been developed to reflect a similar style to the City Hall building. During the course of discussion individual members of the committee concurred that the following recommendations should be considered: change to color contrast, refine locations of signs, and review the scale and height of the kiosks. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend the ARC approve the project based on findings and subject to conditions. ACTION: On a motion by Committee Member Papp, seconded by Chair Hill, to forward a resolution recommending approval to the Architectural Review Commission with the following revisions: (7:0) 1. Provide better color contrast between the background sign color and the map on the Downtown Orientation Map Kiosks. 2. Refine the locations of signs considering potential for sign clutter with existing signage and various sign types included in the Wayfinding Sign Program. 3. Include a context map along with the detailed map on the Downtown Orientation Map Kiosks. 4. Review the scale/height of Downtown Orientation Map Kiosks for compatibility in the Downtown. 5. Provide alternative illumination for the signs (internally illuminated cabinet signs not allowed in downtown) 6. Review cohesiveness of the different style of signage in front of City Hall. 2. 1009 Monterey Street. HIST -2592-2016; Historic Significance Determination for a Contributing List property at 1009 Monterey Street, C -D -H zone, Rossi/King Organization, applicant. (Rachel Cohen). Contract Planner Shawna Scott narrated a PowerPoint presentation and reviewed the contents of the staff report, highlighting that the building's original style has undergone several modifications and the current structure does not retain the original historic character and is not historically significant. CHC Minutes 01-25-16 Page 4 PUBLIC COMMENT Applicant Rob Rossi provided a brief background of the building, presented a timeline of events, and described the current building to be in poor condition, echoing his previous comments at the meeting held on December 7, 2015. There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Hill closed the public hearing. COMMITTEE COMMENTS During the course of discussion the individual members of the Committee discussed the lack of support for the building qualifying for the City's list of historic resources. The Committee encouraged the applicant to reflect the history of the building by incorporating graphics or artwork in the new proposed project. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend the City Council adopt a resolution removing 1009 Monterey Street from the City's List of Contributing Historic Resources. ACTION: On a motion by Committee Member Papp, seconded by Committee Member Baer, to adopt the resolution recommending the Council remove the property from the Contributing List of Historic Resources (7:0). 3. 2223 Monterey Street. ARCH -2363-2015; Review of a hotel project with 52 rooms and a recreational vehicle park with 24 RV hookups on the Master List Historic Motel Inn property; C -T -S & C -O -S zone; Motel Inn, L.P., applicant. (Marcus Carlon►). Associate Planner Carloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation and reviewed the contents of the staff report, explaining the project in terms of its consistency with the Historic Preservation Guidelines and Secretary of Interior Standards. PUBLIC COMMENTS Applicant Rob Rossi provided a brief background of the property, presented a timeline of events, and described the project site. Mr. Rossi explained that the previously approved restaurant building includes portions of the original Historic Motel Inn and noted that it is on the city's Master List of Historic Resources. There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Hill closed the public hearing. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Chair Hill inquired about the property being subject to the Mills Act. In response to Chair Hill's inquiry, Senior Planner Leveille stated that the property is not under a Mills Act contract. CHC Minutes 01-25-16 Page 5 Committee Member Papp inquired about potential noise impacts to the adjacent neighborhood. In response to Committee Member Papp's inquiries, Applicant Rob Rossi explained that the project site borders along the side of the U.S. 101 freeway, and that the site is at a slightly lower grade than the freeway which reduces noise impact some. He added that the new construction will likely block noise from the freeway and reduce noise in the neighborhood and stated that the ambient noise of the highway is expected to be greater than the anticipated ambient noise of the motel and RV park. During the course of discussion the individual members of the Committee inquired about the building's significance and proposed construction in terms of its consistency with the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines and Secretary of the Interior Standards for compatibility, deliberating about the layout of the 52 rooms and a recreational vehicle park with 24 RV hookups. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend the ARC approve the project based on findings the project is consistent with the City's Historic Preservation Program Guidelines and the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. ACTION: On a motion by Committee Member Kincaid, seconded by Committee Member Larrabee, to adopt the resolution recommending the Architectural Review Commission approve the project (7:0). 4. 1516 Broad Street. ARCH -2225-2015; Review of a new 2 -bedroom dwelling behind the Master List Renetzky House in the Old Town Historic District; R -2-H zone; Bagnall Gary W. Family, applicant (Walter Oetzelo. Senior Planner Leveille narrated a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the proposed project. PUBLIC COMMENTS Peg Pinard, San Luis Obispo, stated that her property will be most affected by the proposed project due the mass and scale; announced that during her role as a former Council Member and Mayor, she worked to preserve the Old Town Historic District, including the preservation of other historic properties; expressed concerns with the project in terms of compatibility and presented an aerial photo of property, noting that the proposed structure will have a negative impact of allowing sunlight and air flow to her adjoining property. Senior Planner Leveille presented a map to the Committee, highlighting the surrounding properties of 1516 Broad Street. Leo Pinard, San Luis Obispo, spoke on the orientation of homes in the surrounding area; expressed concerns with the proposed project, stating that the proposed secondary unit is near the property line. CHC Minutes 01-25-16 Page 6 In response to the Public Comments, Chair Hill clarified that the Committee's role is to provide recommendation to the Community Development Director regarding the historic preservation standards and guidelines. There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Hill closed the public hearing. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Omni Design Representative Jonathan McAlpin provided a brief summary of the proposed project and responded to the Committee's inquiries, regarding the height of the existing main residence and proposed unit. Mr. McAlpin explained that the main house has undergone a complete restoration. Committee Member Papp announced his visit to a neighboring property and explained similar concerns provided by Ms. Pinard were echoed by an adjacent neighbor; expressed concerns with the mass and scale of the proposed unit that does not appear consistent with the development pattern of the Old Town Historic District. He inquired on the CEQA status of the property. Senior Planner Brian Leveille Responded that the project qualified for a categorical exemption from CEQA as a small scale infill project. Committee Member Kincaid thanked Ms. Pinard for her presentation and for expressing her concerns to the Committee. By consensus, the Committee expressed concern over the mass, scale, and access configuration of the proposed dwelling. RECOMMENDATION: Continue the item to a date uncertain with directional items. ACTION: On a motion by Committee Member Brajkovich, seconded by Committee Member Kincaid, continue the item to a date uncertain with the following directional items: (7:0). Reduce the scale, massing, and height of the proposed structure to be more consistent with the pattern of secondary structures on historic properties in the Old Town Historic District (subordinate to primary). Address impacts to adjacent Master List properties by revising lot positioning and access away from neighboring properties internal to the property. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: Staff a. Agenda Forecast Senior Planner Leveille provided an agenda forecast of anticipated CHC agenda items for the February 22, 2016 meeting. CHC Minutes 01-25-16 Page 7 2. Committee The Committee discussed the desire to have an agenda item to discuss CEQA as it relates to historic resources. The committee discussed concerns over a new archaeology firm working on the next phase of the Chinatown project and inquired on the status of an update on recent archaeological work on the project. Chair Hill provided an update on the Downtown Concept Plan, Mission Plaza Update project, and Sign Regulations Update project. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Jo n Paul Maier Assistant City Clerk Approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee on February 22, 2016.