HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2018 Item 3 - Cooper
To:Cultural Heritage Committee and Brian LeVeille, Senior Planner
Re 667 Monterey Street - Review of revisions to a previously approved mixed-use
project in the Downtown Historic District
From:Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Date:February 25, 2018
Honorable Chair Papps and Committee Members -
Sta states the following: ÅThe proposed revised project has a modern style more reÑective of
contemporary design intent¼Æ and ÅThe project site is in a transition zone of the Downtown
where development includes buildings with varying heights and architectural styles¼Æ and
ÅThe modern elements of the revised design also appear compatible with the contemporary
design of the neighboring ChildrenÈs MuseumÆ. With the exception of the ChildrenÈs Museum,
there is no other indication presently that this could be described as a Åtransition zoneÆ.
And sta has misidentiÐed the ChildrenÈs Museum as a Åcontemporary designÆ structure. The
ChildrenÈs Museum was an attempt, albeit crude, to reÑect the warehouse aesthetic that once
prevailed at this end of town, i.e., the reconstructed Soda Water Works, the Bambu Batu, Old
World Rugs and Antique Boutique building with its characteristic stamped metal and
corrugated metal siding and the concrete block and corrugated metal aesthetic of The
Creamery which will be further accentuated with The Creamery Marketplace (more corrugated
siding) and 560 Higuera Street (more concrete block).
1023 Broad Street
Creamery Marketplace
560 Higuera
It should further be emphasized here that 1010 Nipomo Street (the ChildrenÈs Museum) has
been singled out on page 40 in SLOÈs ÅHistoric Preservation Program GuidelinesÆ as a Ånon-
contributing architectural styleÆ and therefore does not qualify as a standard for ÅcompatibilityÆ
in this otherwise historic neighborhood. On page 15 of SLOÈs Community Design Guidelines
you will Ðnd under the heading Ågeneral architectural design guidelinesÆ: ÅDesign factors that
contribute to neighborhood compatibility include: a. Appropriate design theme;¼d.
Appropriate colors, textures, and building materials.Æ In order to scale down an already over
tall structure please ask the architect to reconsider using the color white throughout.
The design theme for this building calls to mind another building (see below) designed by the
same architectural Ðrm and proposed to be located on Olive Street (which is clearly not located
within an historic district).
As you can see from the above two illustrations, a reoccurring signature architectural element
is the use of large, heavy grid-like elements and cantilevered balconies. Per SLOÈs HPP
Guideline 3.2.1 ÅNew structures in historic districts shall be designed tone architecturally
compatible with the districtÈs prevailing historic character as measured by their consistency
with scale, massing, rhythm, signature architectural elements, exterior materials, siting and
street yard setbacks¼Æ As you would readily concede, the ÅcontemporaryÆ buildings below,
which clearly reiterate these signature architectural elements, would never be allowed in our
Downtown Historic District. Thank you!