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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-2015 ARC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 4, 2015 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Patricia Andreen, Ken Curtis, Amy Nemcik, Allen Root, Vice -Chair Suzan Ehdaie and Chairperson Greg Wynn Absent: Commissioner Angela Soll Staff: Senior Planner Phil Dunsmore, Associate Planner Rachel Cohen, Assistant Planner Kyle Bell and Recording Secretary Erica Inderlied ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: The minutes of April 20, 2015, were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: Donald Hedrick, SLO, commented that past projects in the Broad Street Area, particularly in the district around northern Sacramento Drive, have set a detrimental precedent, allowing too little setback too -high unit density. There were no further comments from the public. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 3680 Broad Street. ARCH - 0810 -2015; Review of a new affordable housing mixed -use project with a categorical exemption from CEQA; C -S -S zone; For The Future Housing, applicant. Rachel Cohen, Associate Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the Commission adopt a resolution which approves the project, based on findings and subject to conditions she outlined. In response to inquiry from Commr. Curtis, Senior Planner Dunsmore clarified that a finding relating to Community Design Guideline consistency was intended to be included in the draft resolution, and should be added should the Commission move to approve. Jim Rendler, applicant representative, SLO, noted project partnership with HASLO, summarized the history of the project, noting that it will remain affordable for at least fifty -five years, preferably in perpetuity; requested that the Commission move forward and allow staff and applicants to resolve any outstanding issues, in the interest of timing related to project financing. Ben Seager, project architect, commented that the vertical metal siding would be half - hexagon shaped. In response to inquiry from Chair Wynn, Seager clarified that no ARC Minutes May 4, 2015 Page 2 elevator is proposed for the project, as accessible units are provided on the ground floor. Scott Smith, HASLO Executive Director, spoke in support of the project; noted that HASLO would provide onsite management and assure continued project affordability. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Donald Hedrick, SLO, noted concern that the proposed design is inconsistent with its industrial surroundings; suggested it could benefit financially and stylistically from the use of a flat roof; noted concern that future widening of Broad Street will be infeasible along the project's frontage. There were no further comments from the public. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Andreen spoke in support of adding more short-term bicycle parking; noted she would generally prefer to be able to review a proposed lighting plan at this stage. Commr. Curtis noted desire to see more ample outdoor recreation areas for residents; noted concern about the use of less aesthetically- pleasing building materials and design for economic reasons; spoke in general support of the project. Commr. Root spoke in support of the project; stated a desire for more landscaping; noted concern that proposed frontage landscaping may present visibility issues for future commercial tenants. Commr. Nemcik voiced support for the project. Vice -Chair Ehdaie stated a desire to include some enclosed garage spaces; noted the importance of focusing on quality Chair Wynn noted concern about the use of PVC roofing materials on the commercial building. There were no further comments from the Commission. On motion by Commr. Nemcik, seconded by Vice -Chair Ehdaie, to adopt a resolution approving the project based on findings and subject to conditions contained in the staff report, with the following revisions: a. Add the following conditions: 1. Applicant shall utilize a standing seam metal roof for the commercial building, in order that its Broad Street Frontage comply with Community Design Guidelines. ARC Minutes May 4, 2015 Page 3 2. Applicant shall include five additional short-term bicycle parking spaces for the commercial building and each residential building, for a total of fifteen (15). 3. Applicant shall consider the inclusion of garage doors in order to provide storage and architectural variety; if garage doors are not utilized, applicant is encouraged to provide enclosed storage areas for residents elsewhere upon the site. b. Add the following Finding to the proposed resolution. 1. The project is consistent with the Community Design Guidelines because it provides human scale architecture, significant wall and roof articulation and is compatible with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhood. AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commr. Soll The motion passed on a 6:0 vote. Wynn stated for the record that Donald Hedrick's comment regarding use of a flat roof had been noted, but that flat roofs are typically associated with commercial structures. 2. 112.8 Morro Street, ARCH - 0549 -2014; Review of request to construct a four -story hotel addition over the existing parking lot at the rear of the Granada Hotel with a categorical exemption from CEQA; C -D -H zone; Lunacy Club, LLC, applicant. Kyle Bell, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the Commission adopt a resolution which approves the project, based on findings and subject to conditions he outlined. Bell noted the Commission's February 2015 conceptual review of the project. Commr. Nemcik noted a desire to see previous designs for revised projects included in staff report materials when the project is returned for the Commission's review. Jeff Bague, project architect, summarized the history of the project and revisions made in response to advisory body comment; clarified that rooftop equipment will be located primarily on the Marsh Street side of the building and that tower windows will likely be clear rather than opaque. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Donald Hedrick, SLO, inquired as to the need for an elevator that allows roof access; noted concern about the existing abundance of bars downtown. There were no further comments from the public. ARC Minutes May 4, 2015 Page 4 In response to public comment, staff clarified that any use of the rooftop will be limited as an amenity to hotel guests. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commr. Curtis thanked the project architect for being responsive to past Commission direction. There were no further comments made from the Commission. On motion by Commr. Root, seconded by Commr. Andreen, to adopt a resolution approving the project based on findings and subject to conditions contained in the staff report. AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commr. Soil The motion passed on a 6:0 vote. 3. 1921 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARCH - 0521 -2014; Review of a new building with four live /work units and a small commercial suite and consideration of a mitigated negative declaration; C -S -H zone; Garcia Family Trust, applicant. Chair Wynn announced that staff has recommended that this item be continued to a date uncertain. On motion by Commr. Andreen, seconded by Commr. Root, to continue the item to a date uncertain. AYES: Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, and Wynn NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commr. Soil The motion passed on a 6:0 vote COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 4. Staff: a. Agenda Forecast Senior Planner Dunsmore gave a forecast of upcoming agenda items. ARC Minutes May 4, 2015 Page 5 5. Commission: Commr. Root inquired as to the technical difference between short-term and long- term parking; Senior Planner Dunsmore clarified that long -term parking is enclosed whereas short-term is typically a rack. Commr. Andreen requested that the Commission be notified whenever one of its decisions has been appealed, so that a member may attend the appeal hearing. Commissioners discussed ways in which their deliberation and recommendations could best be presented to City Council during the appeal process. In response to inquiry from Commr. Root, Senior Planner Dunsmore clarified that an enhanced circulation plan for Emily Street and other streets in the Broad Street Area is in the works. Vice -Chair Ehdaie inquired whether applicants for major developments could be required to present projects for conceptual review; Senior Planner Dunsmore commented that staff could investigate the possibility. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Erica Inderlied Recording Secretary Approved by the Architectural Review Commission on May 18, 2015. Laurie Thomas Administrative Assistant III