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Home My WebLink About09-16-2019 ARC Minutes Minutes 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-- Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of September 16, 2019 Page 2 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 Cunningham 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 Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of September 16, 2019 Page 3 • 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-- Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of September 16, 2019 Page 4 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 - 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 - Applicant to consider changes in the materials of the black box theatre and the material of the façade at the upper portion of the walls projecting above the roof deck. To satisfy this request, the applicant could also make a change in the materials at one of the connecting points. 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 the 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. Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of September 16, 2019 Page 5 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: 10/21/2019