HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2015 ARC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES
July 20, 2015
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Patricia Andreen, Ken Curtis, Amy Nemcik, Allen Root,
Angela Soll, Vice -Chair Suzan Ehdaie, and Chairperson Greg Wynn
Absent: None
Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Senior Planner Jaime Hill, and Recording
Secretary Erica Inderlied
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted as presented.
MINUTES: The minutes of July 6, 2015, were approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS:
There were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1, 12424 Los Osos Valley Road. ARCH - 1064 -2015; Review of the rebranding of an
existing ARCO gas station site to a Chevron gas station, including replacement of
the existing canopy and signage and minor building fagade modifications, with a
categorical exemption from environmental review; C -T & LOVR zones; Bruce
Sayahan, applicant.
Jaime Hill, Senior Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the
Commission adopt a resolution approving the proposed replacement canopy and
signage and minor building fagade modifications, based on findings and subject to
conditions which she outlined.
In response to inquiry from Commr. Curtis, staff confirmed that the subject portion of
Los Osos Valley Road is a designated scenic corridor in the City's General Plan.
JR Beard, applicant representative, summarized the history of the project; noted the
rationale for increasing the canopy height and the need for a design package meeting
the requirements of the Chevron Corporation; added that staff's recommendation that
the canopy have a gabled, or hipped, roof would further add to the height of the
structure.
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July 20, 2015
Page 2
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
James Lopes, SLO, spoke in support of staff's recommendation; noted concern about
the requirement for a gable roof and the potential for glare from site lighting; noted that
most other gas stations in the area utilize monument signs rather than pole signs.
There were no further comments from the public.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commr. Andreen spoke in support of eliminating the requirement for a gabled canopy
roof, and the use of neutral colors on the canopy.
Commr. Curtis spoke in support of staff's recommendations; commented that the project
is located in a scenic gateway to the City; spoke in support of the use of a monument
sign rather than a pole sign, reducing the height of the canopy to less than nineteen
feet, and eliminating the requirement for a gabled canopy roof. Curtis spoke in support
of modifying the colors of the building to match corporate colors, rather than making the
colors of the canopy neutral.
Commr. Soil spoke in support of a flat roof, neutral colors and lowered height for the
canopy, and the use of a monument sign rather than a pole sign.
Commr. Root spoke in support of a flat canopy roof and use of a monument sign
instead of a pole sign; noted opposition to the building and canopy having different color
schemes.
Commr. Nemcik spoke in support a flat roof for the canopy, the use of neutral colors for
the canopy, and reducing the canopy height to the height of the building.
Vice -Chair Ehdaie noted support of a flat canopy roof; spoke in support staff's
recommendation otherwise.
Chair Wynn spoke in support of allowing a flat canopy roof, lowering the canopy to
fifteen feet, utilizing a monument sign instead of pole sign, and matching the building
and canopy color schemes; requested that project conditions be modified to require
submittal of a photometric plan for new and existing lighting, for evaluation by staff for
compliance with codes.
There were no further comments from the Commission..
On motion by Vice -Chair Ehdaie, seconded by Commr. Soil to adopt a resolution
approving the proposed replacement canopy and signage and minor building fagade
modifications, based on findings and subject to conditions contained in the staff report,
with the following revisions:
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July 20, 2015
Page 3
A. Finding 6. shall_ be added to read "(To allow a monument sign: LOVR is a
scenic corridor, and a monument sign, if practicable, will be used in lieu of a
Ion sin to maintain the high visual gualities of the area.
B. Condition 3. shall be modified to read, "The applicant shall work with City
engineering staff on a monument sign design and location that will not interfere
with required intersection sight lines while complying with other regulatory
measures, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director. If a
monument is found to not be practicable, then the pylon sign shall include _a
maximum of 72- square feet and two (2- sided) sign faces. The "Seattle's Best"
and "Extra Mile" signs shall be removed from the pylon ".
C. Condition 4. shall be modified to read, "The canopy and structure shall utilize a
harmonious neutral color aalette ."
D. Condition 5. The canopy roof shall be limited to 15 -foot clearance with the
minimum fascia depth-,practicable.
E. Condition 6. shall be added to read: "All LED light features along the fascia
shall be eliminated and canopy lighting limited to that necessary to meet state
and federal standards. Site photometrics_ shall be submitted with Building
Permit applications demonstrating site compliance (existing and proposed new)
with City Night Sky Standards, and confirmed on -site prior to finalization.
AYES:
Commrs. Andreen, Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, Soll, and Wynn
NOES:
None
RECUSED:
None
ABSENT:
None
The motion passed on a 7:0 vote.
2. 1144 Chorro Street. ARCH- 1376 -2015; Review of exterior building modifications
to accommodate a new bowling alley, nightclub use, and restaurant in the Historic
Downtown Commercial zone, with a categorical exemption from environmental
review; C -D -H zone; Discovery San Luis Obispo, applicant.
Senior Planner Leveille introduced the item, summarizing the Cultural Heritage
Committee's review and recommendations made on June 22, 2015.
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 which he outlined.
Mark Rawson, applicant representative, summarized the history of the project;
explained the structural rationale for narrow windows and poster frames along the
Marsh Street frontage.
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July 20, 2015
Page 4
Jeremy Pemberton, applicant representative, Morro Bay, summarized the vision for the
project and the variety of anticipated clientele; commented on the difficulty of
remodeling the existing structure into something compliant and aesthetically pleasing.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no comments from the public.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Chair Wynn requested that the sign package be returned to the Architectural Review
Commission for review; recommended that the applicants be bold in the treatment of
the marquee signage areas, reconsider extending the horizontal awning farther along
Marsh Street, and limit the glossiness of exterior colors.
Vice -Chair Ehdaie and Commr. Nemcik spoke in support of the project.
Commr. Root spoke in support of taking advantage of marquee areas to create a unique
identity; spoke in support of the project.
Commr. Soll spoke in support of the project, and of reducing the glossiness of exterior
colors and materials.
Commr. Andreen spoke in support of being bold with sign package design and noted
good design can justify a larger sign presence.
Commr. Curtis spoke in support of avoiding faux historical features and using "sleek,"
mid - century modern styling; noted concern regarding the negative impact of the "pop -
out" areas along the Chorro Street elevation, in particular, the potential to limit marquee
options.
Commr. Andreen left the meeting at 7:13 p.m.
There were no further comments from the Commission.
On motion by Commr. Curtis, seconded by Commr. Root, to adopt a resolution
approving the project, based on findings and subject to conditions contained in the staff
report, with the following revisions:
A. A condition shall be added directing that signage proposals and facade
revisions specifically the marquee, be returned to the Architectural Review
Commission for review.
B. Condition 8. shall be revised to eliminate inapplicable language relating to the
placement and treatment of backflow_preyenters or eliminated entirely.,
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July 20, 2015
Page 5
AYES: Commrs. Curtis, Ehdaie, Nemcik, Root, Soll, and Wynn
NOES: None
RECUSED: None
ABSENT: Commr. Andreen
The motion passed on a 6:0 vote.
COMMENT AND DISCUSSION:
3. Staff:
a. Agenda Forecast
Senior Planner Leveille provided a forecast of upcoming agenda items.
4. Commission:
Commr. Root noted lack of familiarity regarding the code enforcement process and
how it relates to provisions of Architectural Review Commission approvals that are
altered without permission following construction.
Commr. Nemcik inquired as to the mechanisms behind the needed update to the
Community Design Guidelines.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Erica Inderlied
Recording Secretary
Approved by the Architectural Review Commission on August 3, 2015.
Lau e Thomas
Administrative Assistant III