HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2018 Item 2, Cooper
Goodwin, Heather
From:Allan Cooper <saveourdowntownslo@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, November
To:Oetzell, Walter; Advisory Bodies
Subject:Item #3: 1135 Santa Rosa Street
Dear Walter -
Would you kindly forward the letter below to the ARC before November 19, 2018? This letter pertains to Item
#3 on their November 19th meeting agenda. Thanks!
To: San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commission
Re: Item # 3: 1135 Santa Rosa Street
From: Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Date: November 9, 2018
Honorable Chair Root and Commissioners -
The ARC’s July 16, 2018 motion to apply two different colors to this building where one color is the Merlex
blend and the other color would contrast with this charcoal grey color (and be a color that could be found on
neighboring properties) is consistent with Council direction if these two different colors reside within the west
elevation and the southwest corner of the building. The City Attorney erroneously assumes that this ARC
motion would require modification across the entire building. But such a proposed modification to the entire
building was not explicitly mentioned in your July 16, 2018 motion.
The ARC is bound to make a color determination that is consistent with the Community Design Guidelines.
This determination must include reference to a color that reflects the colors of the neighboring properties. It is
self-evident that the charcoal grey Merlex blend color is not found anywhere among the neighboring properties.
Therefore a color compatible with the neighboring properties should be introduced as a second color and this
would more effectively break down the percieved building mass.
Save Our Downtown is therefore urging you to continue consideration of this item to a future date, providing
guidance to staff and the appellant on changes to building colors within that portion of the building viewed from
the Marsh Street approach (at the west elevation and southwest corner of the building) that may be necessary
to achieve further visual reduction in perceived building mass. Thank you!
____________________________________________________________________
Notes:
Council: To address that concern, the Council directed that “building colors, materials or design shall be
modified to achieve a visual reduction in apparent building mass and scale, specifically to break up the
perception of building mass when viewed from the Marsh Street approach (at the west elevation and
southwest corner of the building)” (emphasis added).
ARC: Apply two different colors as originally approved to break up the massing as directed by City Council.
Use the approved Merlex blend as the lighter or darker.
Attorney: The City Attorney reviewed the action taken by the ARC in July and advised that directing the
applicant to apply colors as originally proposed (i.e., two-tone, albeit with the darker grey color allowed)
exceeded the scope of their purview as it would require modification across essentially the entire
building, rather than addressing the perceived massing in the southwest corner as seen from the Marsh Street
approach to the building, which was the subject of their review and action. For that reason it is recommended
that they rescind that action and again consider whether or not the proposed modifications address Council
Direction, as described in the staff report and draft resolution prepared for the next meeting.
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Alternative Actions:
Deny the proposed modifications to the building design, based on findings of inconsistency with relevant
General Plan policies or Community Design Guidelines. This alternative is not recommended because the
building design and proposed modifications have been extensively reviewed, are supported by the Council
liaisons to be consistent with the direction of the Council, and are consistent with the Community Design
Guidelines.
Continue consideration of the item to a future date, providing guidance to staff and the appellant on changes to
building colors, materials, or design, within that portion of the building viewed from the Marsh Street approach
(at the west elevation and southwest corner of the building), that may be necessary to achieve further visual
reduction in perceived building mass. This alternative is not recommended because the building design and
proposed modifications have been extensively reviewed, found by the Council liaisons to be consistent with
direction provided by the City Council, and are evaluated by staff to be consistent with the Community
Design Guidelines.
Approval Request: The building color accurately reflects the color and style of neighboring properties.
Allan Cooper, Secretary - Save Our Downtown, San Luis Obispo, CA
Website: www.SaveOurDowntownSLO.com
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