HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-2016 ARC MinutesMinutes
.y ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
Monday, October 17, 2016
Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission was called to order on Monday,
October 17, 2016 at 5:01 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Standing Chair Suzan Ehdaie.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Amy Nemcik, Allen Root, Angela Soll, and Standing Chair Suzan
Ehdaie
Absent: Chair Greg Wynn
Staff: Community Development Director Doug Davidson, Associate Planner Rachel Cohen,
and Recording Secretary Brad T. Opstad
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
Consideration of Minutes for the Architectural Review Commission Regular Meeting
of August 15, 2016:
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER NEMCIK, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ROOT, to approve the Architectural Review Commission Minutes of
August 15, 2016 as presented on the following 4:0:1 vote:
AYES: Nemcik, Root, Soll, Ehdaie
NOES: None
ABSENT: Wynn
Consideration of Minutes for the Architectural Review Commission Regular Meeting of
September 12, 2016:
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROOT, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NEMCIK, to approve the Architectural Review Commission
Minutes of September 12, 2016 as presented on the following 4:0:1 vote:
AYES: Root, Nemcik, Soll, Ehdaie
NOES: None
ABSENT: Wynn
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 560 Hieuera Street. ARCH -3020-2016: Continued review of a mixed-use project that
includes 18 residential units and a commercial tenant space within the Downtown Commercial
zone, with a categorical exemption from environmental review; C -D zone; Creekside Lofts,
LP., applicant.
Deputy Director Davidson introduced Associate Planner Cohen who provided Staff Report on the
Item continued from the August 15`h ARC meeting with four (4) Directional Items.
Associate Planner Cohen passed a new materials board to Commissioners.
In response to inquiries by Commissioner Root, Associate Planner Cohen confirmed there are a
total of twenty-six (26) required parking spaces associated with this project, including nine (9)
approved off-site parking spaces.
Associate Planner Cohen responded to further inquiry by Commissioner Root, regarding the
parking structure on Nipomo and Monterey; indicated that a consultant has been hired to prepare
an environmental report, though no specific timeline for completion has been established.
In response to Commissioner Soll's inquiry about the location of trees in the parking area not being
referenced in the preliminary landscape plan, Associate Planner Cohen stated that the existing
parking lot would remain (in the pole of the flag lot) as they are part of a parking easement.
Including additional trees could reduce the number of parking spaces.
Associate Planner Cohen responded to further inquiry by Commissioner Soll, regarding the
extension of the creek -walk threading through the parking garage; explained that the path behind
the back of the Creamery is blocked by a staircase and the applicant is proposing that the path pass
through the Creamery and then back out along the creek behind the proposed project.
Commissioner Soll commented that the solstice shadow encroachment should not shadow at noon
and inquired about a freestanding wall that might exist for shielding Dana Street residents from
headlight trespass; Associate Planner Cohen responded that condition #9 in the resolution had been
added by staff that required the project to include a wall or landscaping to limit light trespass onto
neighboring properties.
Commissioner Soll inquired about potential 3-dimensional imaging of neighboring and impending
projects toward a more holistic perspective; Associate Planner Cohen responded that a 3-D model
was not submitted as part of the plans.
Commissioner Nemcik inquired about the assigning of tandem parking spaces for each unit;
Associate Planner Cohen responded that each tandem space would be assigned to one unit
Minutes — Architectural Review Commission for October 17, 2016 Page 2
Commissioner Ehdaie requested clarification about the onsite and offsite parking for the Creamery.
Associate Planner Cohen responded that 20 spaces are provided for the site — the required 11 spaces
for the proposed project and 9 off-site spaces for the Creamery.
APPLICANT PRESENTATION
Damien Mavis, project architect, discussed the Applicant's response to the four (4) Directional
Items and responded specifically to Commissioner Soll's multiple inquiries.
Commissioner Nemcik inquired about the material of the railings and about potential screening
for the mechanical equipment.
Commissioner Root inquired about the operational nature of the trash chute; inquired about the
aesthetics of the terra cotta tile.
Applicant Representative Steve Rigor responded to Commissioner Soll's inquiries about the
balance between brick and corten steel elements.
Commissioner Soll inquired about the potential for noise -reducing Plexiglas on the balconies.
Standing Chair Ehdaie requested clarification on the proposed materials for the vertical walls;
inquired whether the units were for sale or for rent; inquired about the transition from The
Creamery to the project and its applicability to the creek -path route.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gary Dwyer, San Luis Obispo, spoke as longtime owner of condominium at end of Dana Street
and as Urban Design professor in Cal Poly's School of Architecture; commented that City
continues to treat Dana Street as an ugly stepsister through its lack of maintenance and provision
of free parking for downtown workforce leading to overabundance of auto presence.
David Brodie, San Luis Obispo, criticized project through reading excerpts from Alan Cooper's
public correspondence regarding the landscape plan; questioned why this project was untethered
from Nipomo Lofts project in ARC hearing as intended.
Mary Mitchell, San Luis Obispo, voiced objection to the project because it sets precedent for future
four-story apartment complexes in Downtown which do not adequately address parking concerns.
Donna Duerk, San Luis Obispo, spoke as resident of Dana Street directly across creek from project;
indicated her belief that the directive for the proposed project to make height compatible with The
Creamery has not been well served.
Minutes — Architectural Review Commission for October 17, 2016 Page 3
Ursula Bishop, San Luis Obispo, commented on her previously written request to have
neighborhood compatibility of both the Nipomo Lofts and this project considered in tandem not
having been honored and further requested postponement of this Item's hearing; shared Creative
Vision's suggestions for creek -walk as it considers the privacy of Dana Street residents.
Geoffrey Chiapella, San Luis Obispo, spoke as transportation planner on SLOCOG staff, discussed
regional land use patterns and subsequent goals for providing vision toward how community will
grow in order to accommodate reduction of vehicular -travel emissions; voiced support of this in-
fill development as a corrective.
Mary White, San Luis Obispo, spoke as Dana Street resident on the ever -worsening street parking
issues and how problems of light and noise from a parking garage will affect residents directly
across creek.
Nancy Hubbard, San Luis Obispo, spoke as South Town Eighteen's project manager on the
adequacy on which Applicant responded to Commission's previous suggestions.
COMMISSION DELIBERATION AND DISCUSSION
Standing Chair Ehdaie indicated that one topic of discussion should concern mechanical
equipment screening.
Deputy Director Davidson responded to Commissioner Soll's inquiry regarding plans for the
shielding of parking garage lighting by pointing out Condition #5.
Commissioner Soll inquired about the mandatory nature of developing the creek -walk, in
consideration of potential Special Overlay Ordinances for neighborhoods which buttress up
against commercial buildings; stressed the positives that evolved out of the Discussion Items;
voiced concerns about not being able to view project in holistic context with other neighboring
major developments to determine balance in compatibility.
Commissioner Root commented on the improvement made on the massing, the color scheme,
and the overall architecture; provided architectural suggestions for the elevation facing the creek.
Commissioner Nemcik concurred with Commissioner Root's assessments and further
commented on the Applicant's having responded favorably in becoming more compatible with
The Creamery; indicated that it was not necessary to view this project as part of a whole with the
Nipomo Lofts; discussed adding verbiage within Condition #9 as it pertains to screening of light
into the creek.
Commissioner Root added that transmission of noise is of additional concern which should also
be addressed with proper screening.
Minutes — Architectural Review Commission for October 17, 2016 Page 4
Standing Chair Ehdaie voiced support of project; voiced that creek path should both continue as
a connector and remain in line with the Downtown Concept Vision Plan; indicated her
preference for boosting privacy -infringement mitigation measures.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY VICE -CHAIR ROOT, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
NEMCIK, the Architectural Review Commission adopted the Draft Resolution based on findings
and with the following amendment:
A.) Condition #9 to read, "The final building plans shall include additional screening in front of
the parking facing the creek to reduce the potential of light and noise trespass into the creek
and residential areas north of the project to the satisfaction of the Community Development
Director."
on the following 4:0:0:1 vote:
AYES: Root, Nemcik, Soll, Ehdaie
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Wynn
Standing Chair Ehdaie provided a five-minute recess.
COMMENT AND DISCUSSION:
1. STAFF
a. Advisory Body Goals
Deputy Director Davidson introduced the early phases of the Architectural Review Commission
Goal -Setting and Financial Plan & Budget Process for 2017-2019; provided a PowerPoint
presentation on the process and the current financial context for it; mentioned that recused Chair
Wynn had submitted a goal list to Community Development in absentia; requested Commission
to provide preliminary set of goals through discussion.
Standing Chair Ehdaie established outline for roundtable dialogue from both the ARC's previous
2015-2017 goals and Chair Wynn's provided list; Commission discussion ensued.
By consensus of Architectural Commission Members, three (3) broad topics for budget goals were
identified toward fine-tuning of language by the deadline of November 7`h: A.) Alternative
transportation incentives; B.) Community Design Guidelines; and C.) Recycled water.
b. Agenda Forecast
Deputy Director Davidson provided the Agenda Forecast:
First Meeting in November: 399 Foothill (corner of Tassajara Drive) mixed-use project
Deputy Director Davidson provided update on Appeals as they pertained to 22 Chorro Street;
Minutes — Architectural Review Commission for October 17, 2016 Page 5
Bishop Street Studios; Discovery signage; and the Olive Street mixed-use project.
Commissioner Soll requested further information on Assembly Bill 1069 for future discussion.
Commissioner Root mentioned the impact Measure J could possibly have on the backlog of
infrastructure projects.
ADJOURNMENT: Standing Chair Ehdaie adjourned Meeting at 7:36 PM.
APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION: 11/21/2016
Minutes — Architectural Review Commission for October 17, 2016 Page 6