HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1a - 09-16-2019 ARC Draft Minutes
Minutes - DRAFT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
Monday, September 16, 2019
Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission was called to order on Monday,
September 16, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San
Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Root.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Richard Beller, Michael DeMartini, Micah Smith, Christie Withers,
and Chair Allen Root
Absent: Commissioner Mandi Pickens and Vice-Chair Amy Nemcik
Staff: Senior Planner Shawna Scott, Deputy City Clerk Kevin Christian, and as noted per
item.
City Clerk Teresa Purrington clarified that a clerical error was made during the meeting of
September 9, 2019 concerning what constitutes a quorum majority needed to pass a vote. It was
explained that the second votes taken for items 2 and 3 of the meeting were not necessary and that
the original motion and votes taken for each stand as record.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
--End of Public Comment--
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Project Address: 1911 Johnson; Case #: ARCH-0161-2019, Zone: O-S & R-3; Dignity
Health Corp., owner/applicant. Conceptual, initial review of a phased expansion of the
French Hospital campus, including: 1) a four-level, 234-space, 91,500-square foot
parking garage, 6,400 square feet of laboratory and storage uses, and roof-top helistop
(Phase 1) and 2) an approximately 90,000-square-foot, four-story, medical tower
including but not limited to medical facilities and offices, patient rooms, dining and
kitchen facilities, chapel, lobby, outdoor dining area, new generator yard, and new
hospital entry and drop-off plaza (Phase 2). The project includes reconfigured surface
parking, additional bicycle spaces, realigned bike path and associated easement, tree
removals, landscaping, and exterior lighting. In addition to design review, the applicant
is requesting a use permit to amend the French Hospital Campus Master Plan to
incorporate the proposed expansion and parking garage, and a variance to allow a 68 -
foot tall medical patient tower (and associated elevator tower at 78 feet above average
natural grade) and 46-foot tall parking garage (and associated elevator tower up to 55
feet in height). Environmental review will be conducted following conceptual review,
pursuant to CEQA.
Senior Planner Shawna Scott presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Applicant representative Alan Iftiniuk, President/CEO French Hospital Medical Center, Brian
Starr of Studio Design Group Architects, Wayne Hunter and Diego Lastres of Cuningham
Group Architecture, and Michael Cripe of Oasis Associates, reviewed the project intent,
community needs, the project proposal, and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
Carol Nelson-Selby
Jennifer Holyfield
Erika Parrish
Bob Canepa
John Dunn
Joshua Connell
--End of Public Comment--
ACTION: The Commission gave the following input for consideration:
• Increase vertical and horizontal articulation on the southwest and northeast elevations
• Address wayfinding; route to parking needs to be made easily evident and clear for all users
• Consider open space study for neighborhood views, suggest cross-section through the open
space easement showing the height of trees and structures, and show size of trees on plans
• Stake garage location for neighborhood communication/understanding; suggested height
study analysis of effect on view corridors
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• Create a long-range plan for loss of mature trees that are currently on-site
• Consider incorporation of green wall(s)
• Conduct a night sky study addressing effects of light/glare on residential areas
• Address possible noise, headlight, and yard overlook impacts on the neighborhood from
the parking garage
• Massing of hospital expansion west stair tower is not well integrated with other elements
and does not mesh visually; review overhanging element and how it works with the west
stair tower
RECESS
The ARC recessed at 6:10 p.m. and reconvened at 6:15 p.m. with all ARC Members present.
2. Project Address: 609 Palm; Case #: ARCH-0350-2017 & 0415-2019; Zone: O-H; City of
San Luis Obispo, owner; San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, applicant. Continued
design review of two new structures: 1) a new 23,344-square foot performing arts facility
with two performance spaces, rehearsal space, workshop and storage areas, lobby, a
balcony and roof deck and administrative offices; and 2) a new 162,909 square foot
parking structure with 404 parking spaces. Currently the site is zoned Office with
Historic Overlay (O-H) and Medium-High Density Residential (R-3). The zoning for the
site is proposed to change to Downtown Commercial with a Historic Overlay (C-D-H),
with an addendum to the certified EIR for the project, which addresses the proposed
rezone.
This item was continued from the August 9, 2019 ARC meeting. Associate Planner Rachel
Cohen and staff engineer Richard Burde presented the staff report, reviewed modifications
made based on direction previously given by the ARC and responded to Commissioner
inquiries. City Manager Derek Johnson discussed affordable housing as a use for the frontage
of the proposed parking structure.
Gordon Knowles and Michelle Wendler, Watry Design, parking garage project design
representatives, and Bryce Engstrom, SLO Repertory Theatre project architect, presented
modifications made to the overall project design that responded to ARC input given at the
August 9, 2019 meeting, and responded to Commissioner questions.
Public Comments:
James Lopes, representing Save Our Downtown
Dave Hannings
Bettina Swigger
John Dunn
David Fibbs
--End of Public Comment--
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ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WITHERS, DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND,
to move the project to the Planning Commission as consistent with the Community Design
Guidelines with the following plan revision considerations:
- Reduce variegation
- Soften contrast of terracotta
- Plans clearly specify the patterns and percentage of the terracotta
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BELLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
WITHERS, CARRIED 5-0-2 to move the project to the Planning Commission as consistent
with the Community Design Guidelines with direction to the applicant regarding:
- Balance and proportion of the wall cladding
- Reducing the variation of the terracotta façade on the exterior Specifically, reduce the
variegated terracotta facade at the black box theatre and at the upper portion of the walls
of the main theatre projecting above the roof deck level (approximately at the 218.45-foot
elevation and above)
- Soften the contrast of the terracotta
3. Project Address: 3761 Orcutt; Case #: ARCH-0263-2019; Zone: C/OS-SP, R-1-SP, R-2-
SP & C-C-MU; Ambient Communities, Travis Fuentez, applicant. Design review of 17
Multi-Unit Dwellings (8 Duplex, 9 Triplex) on Lots 14-20 of Tract 3066 (Jones Parcel,
Phase II). The proposed project is consistent with the Orcutt Area Specific Plan Final
Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) certified and adopted by th e City Council on
March 2, 2010, and with the supplemental Initial Study and Mitigated Negative
Declaration for Vesting Tentative Map 3066, adopted by the City Council on May 19,
2015 (Resolution No. 10620).
Senior Planner Shawna Scott presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Applicant representative Randy Russom and David Gibbs, RRM Design, reviewed project
specifics and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
None
--End of Public Comment--
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
WITHERS CARRIED 5-0-2 to recommend approval to the Community Development Director
of the design changes as presented.
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COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
Senior Planner Shawna Scott provided a brief agenda forecast and discussed the September 9,
2019 motion clarification as explained by the City Clerk.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Architectural Review
Commission is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room,
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION: XX/XX/2019
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