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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
Monday, June 6, 2016
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commission was called to
order on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, California, by Chairperson Wynn.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Commissioners Curtis, Nemcik, Root, Soll, Vice- Chair Ehdaie, and Chair Wynn
ABSENT: Commissioner Andreen
STAFF: Deputy Community Development Director Doug Davidson; Associate Planner
Rachel Cohen; Assistant Planner Januar Saptono; and Recording Secretary
Monique Lomeli
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Citywide. ARCH -2408-2015; Review of City Wayfinding Signs: Downtown Orientation
Map Kiosks and a new City Hall Information Center & Wayfinding Kiosk, including a
categorical exemption from environmental review; City of San Luis Obispo Public Works
Department, applicant. (Rachel Cohen)
Associate Planner Rachel Cohen presented the staff report and recommendations.
Applicant Representatives Pierre Rademaker and Debbie Rudd, RRM Design Group,
narrated a PowerPoint presentation of the project and responded to Commission questions
with regard to lighting, location of individual signs, design details, sign content, and height.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Commission discussion ensued regarding the wayfinding sign designed for City Hall,
considering the suitability of the proposed design in comparison to a more traditional
appearance to support the intended content of the sign and complement the exterior design
of City Hall.
The Commission discussed concerns with height of signage, commenting that the proposed
9 ft. height is inappropriate for the location; inquired whether or not height could be reduced
without compromising content.
Applicant Representative Rudd confirmed that the design could be modified to
accommodate the preferred maximum height of 8 ft.
Discussion ensued with regard to sign placement to preserve the viewshed of pedestrians
and the surrounding buildings.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROOT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
SOLL, to adopt the City Wayfinding Signs program subject to additional conditions:
1) The colors of the City Hall Wayfinding Kiosk shall match the colors of City Hall.
2) The map and text of the City Hall Wayfinding Kiosk shall clearly communicate specific
locations in the most user friendly manner possible.
3) The Downtown Orientation Map Kiosks shall be located where they do not impact
viewsheds in the downtown including historic and significant architectural features as
well as features to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director and the
Public Works Director.
4) The Downtown Orientation Map Kiosks shall be no taller than 8 feet to the top of the "i."
5) The Downtown Orientation Map Kiosks shall be illuminated at the lowest levels needed
to be usable at night.
Commissioner Curtis stated that he would not be voting to approve because of inappropriate
colors, materials, and design of the City Hall Wayfinding Sign, preferring the sleeker, more
modern style of the other signs.
Motion passed 5:1:1 on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Nemcik, Ehdaie, Root, Soll, Wynn
NOES: Commissioner Curtis
ABSENT: Commissioner Andreen
Architectural Review Commission Minutes June 6, 2016 Page 2
2. 774 Caudill Street, ARCH -2628-2016; Review of a new four-story mixed-use project,
including ground floor commercial/retail space and 36 residential units. The project is
requesting to construct a 47.5 -foot tall structure where 40 feet is normally allowed and
includes a 3% mixed-use parking reduction and tandem parking, with a categorical
exemption from environmental review; Caudill Street Partners, applicant. (Kyle Bell)
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROOT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
SOLL, to continue item to June 20, 2016.
Motion passed on the following 6:0:1 vote:
AYES: Commissioners Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, Soll, Wynn
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Andreen
3. 135 Ferrini Road. ARCH -2451-2015; Review of five new multi -family dwelling units,
with a categorical exemption from environmental review; R-4 zone; Zac Missler, applicant
(Januar Saptono)
Assistant Planner Saptono gave a brief overview of the project.
Chair Wynn acknowledged receipt of agenda correspondence and opened the forum to
questions for staff.
Staff responded to Commission inquiries, indicating that a traffic study was considered and
found to be unnecessary due to the unchanged zoning of the property and the fact that the
project would not exceed density; stated that the street tree replacement would be per City
ordinance and tree removal would be within the purview of the Commission as part of the
development review.
In response to further inquiries by the Commission, Staff stated that the applicant did
consider and prepare for trash removal.
Commission directed staff to address the need for more space around the accessible stall and
side -loading area. In response to the Commission's direction, Staff stated willingness to add
a condition for meeting City parking standards.
In response to additional Commission inquiries, Staff stated that the applicant did not
provide a shadow study for this project and explained the calculation of parking spaces.
In response to Commission comments regarding massing and concerns pertaining to
questionable bedroom dimensions, Deputy Director Davidson clarified that the project meets
infill exemption criteria and does not require an environmental review.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes June 6, 2016 Page 3
Applicant Representative Truitt Vance briefly presented comments on the project and
addressed Commission comments, stating that no design exceptions were needed or
requested; noted that the property was fully vetted and parking standards are being met;
addressed bedroom dimension concerns, stating they are the result of having to scale the
project down and also an attempt to preserve the desired courtyard design; requested
specific direction with regard to the bedroom dimensions; stated that the five-foot blanket
setback rule provides no way to get the vertical circulation needed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
San Luis Obispo residents Odile Ayral, Caixing Gu, and Sandra Rowley voiced concerns
over increased traffic, negative effect on parking, privacy issues due to the proposed
massing being larger than the average building in the neighborhood, and possibility of
illegal conversion of dens to create additional bedrooms.
---End of Public Comments ---
Commission discussion and feedback to Staff followed, specifically addressing the color
palette, height, and massing concerns.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY VICE -CHAIR EHDAIE, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SOLL, the Commission continued the item to a date uncertain, with
direction to the applicant 1) reduce massing, primarily focusing on bedroom size
2) simplify articulation including roof forms/planes and soften color palette, and 3) address
parking conflict with building structural columns.
Motion passed on the following 6:0:1 vote:
AYES: Commissioners Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, Soil, Wynn
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Andreen
COMMENT & DISCUSSION
Deputy Director Davidson presented the agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Wynn adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION: July 11th, 2016
Architectural Review Commission Minutes June 6, 2016 Page 4