HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1b - 10-07-2019 ARC Draft Minutes
Minutes - DRAFT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
Monday, October 7, 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,
October 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Chair Allen Root.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Richard Beller, Michael DeMartini, Mandi Pickens, Micah Smith,
Vice Chair Amy Nemcik and Chair Allen Root
Absent: Commissioner Christie Withers
Staff: Senior Planner Shawna Scott, Deputy City Clerk Megan Wilbanks and as noted per
item.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
--End of Public Comment--
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Regular Architectural Review Commission Meetings of
September 9, 2019 and September 16, 2019.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
PICKENS, CARRIED 6-0-1 (Commissioner Withers absent) to approve the minutes of the
Regular Architectural Review Commission meetings of September 9, 2019.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BELLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
DEMARTINI, CARRIED 6-0-1 (Commissioner Pickens and Vice Chair Nemcik abstaining,
Commissioner Withers absent), to continue the approval of the minutes to the next regular
ARC meeting, pending review of the audio recording for clarification on the direction given to
the applicant of the project at 609 Palm (ARCH-0350-2017 & 0415-2019).
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DRAFT Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of October 7, 2019 Page 2
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Project Address: 12250 Los Osos Valley Road; Case #: ARCH -0588-2019; Zone: C-S-
PD; MegaHertz Electric, applicant. Review of a modification to a previous approval for
an existing sign program for Sunset Honda to allow for the replacement of existing signs
as well as the addition of new signage. The proposed modification will exceed the total
allowable number of signs and dimensions established in the Sunset Honda Sign
Program. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA).
Associate Planner Cassidy McSurdy presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Applicant representatives, George Peterson and Tom Diaz with Sunset Honda, responded to
Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BELLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
DEMARTINI, CARRIED 6-0-1 (Commissioner Withers absent), to recommend approval to
the Community Development Director, finding the project consistent with Community Design
Guidelines.
3. Project Address: 747 Monterey Street; Case #: OTHR-0639-2019; Zones: PF-H, C-D-S-
H; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. Conceptual review of the “Mission Plaza
Restroom, Café, and Murray Adobe Improvements – Preliminary Site Plan”, which
includes removal and replacement of the existing public restrooms on the Mission Plaza,
options for providing food service on the plaza (either a café or utility hook-ups for food
truck operations), and improvements to the Murray Adobe’s patio area to provide
seating for visitors to the plaza and customers of the food serv ices. The review is
conceptual; therefore, environmental review (CEQA) is not required at this time.
Engineer Richard Burde presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Applicant representatives, Debbie Rudd and Scott Martin with RRM Design Group, responded
to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
Amira Albonie
Dave Hannings
James Papp
Michael LaFrenier
Dr. Miller
--End of Public Comment--
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ACTION: The Commission gave the following input for consideration:
• Look at the larger picture and come up with a Master Plan to activate the area.
• Remove the existing lawn area and move the café closer to the sidewalk to relieve the
pinching-points near the restroom.
• Opposed to food trucks in the plaza due to size constraints. Also keeping the look and feel
of the future Sculpture Gardens in mind.
• Food trucks could be a fad, so consider building the café and designating a new location
on a neighboring street where the food trucks can operate. The commission is supportive
of highlighting local food truck vendors.
• It would be helpful to have an image of the section through the proposed restroom, so the
commission can have a better feel for the layout of the area.
• Architecture of the proposed café and restrooms needs more work in terms of what might
work better with the color and ornamentation of the surrounding buildings.
• Lighten the colors of the café to make it more complementary to the surrounding area.
• In consideration of all the events held in the plaza throughout the year, the commission
thinks the size and layout of the café would be a good addition to the space.
• Look for other ways to tie the café and restrooms into the context of the neighborhood,
without mimicking the design of existing buildings.
• The commission is excited about the area becoming a cultural centerpiece and would like
this to be a contemporary contribution, honoring the historical significance of the area.
• The commission enjoyed hearing public comment from a prospective tenant of the café.
RECESS
The ARC recessed at 6:31 p.m. and reconvened at 6:40 p.m. with all ARC members present.
4. Project Address: 1150 Laurel; Case #: ARCH-0505-2019, Zone: O-S, M-MU; Laurel
Creek LLC, owner and Arris Studio Architects, applicant. Design review of a façade
remodel of an existing warehouse structure, the project does not include any additional
square footage or change in use of the existing structure. This project is categorically
exempt from environmental review (CEQA).
Associate Planner Kyle Bell presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Applicant, Chuck Braff, and his representative, Thom Jess with Arris Studios, responded to
Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
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ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
PICKENS, CARRIED 6-0-1 (Commissioner Beller abstained, Commissioner Withers absent)
to recommend that the Community Development Director approve the design as presented with
the following recommendations to the applicant:
• Consider applying more of the building’s design elements with the pergola and trellises to
carry out the modern theme.
• Make the scrim more detailed and a stand-out piece.
5. Project Address: 1404 Auto Park Way; Case #: ARCH-0079-2019; Zone: C-S-PD;
Rancho Grande Motors, owner/applicant. Design review of a façade remodel of an
existing commercial structure, the project does not include any additional square footage
or change in use of the existing structure. This project is categorically exempt from
environmental review (CEQA).
Associate Planner Kyle Bell presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Applicant representatives, Clinton Iwanicha and Don Herst, responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Public Comments:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BELLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
DEMARTINI, CARRIED 6-0-1 (Commissioner Withers absent), to recommend that the
Community Development Director work with the applicant on two different design options:
• Let the Subaru building express their updated identity without making changes to the
neighboring building.
• Increase compatibility between the two buildings by staining the existing roof tile to be
compatible in color with the columns, creating a more unified backdrop for Subaru.
COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
Senior Planner Shawna Scott provided a brief agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Architectural Review
Commission is scheduled for Monday, October 21, 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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