HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2017 ARC Minutes
Minutes
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
Monday, April 3, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission was called to order on Monday,
April 3, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Chair Wynn.
APPOINTMENTS
1. Oath of Office
Recording Secretary Monique Lomeli administered the Oath of Office to new
Commissioners Richard Beller and Greg Starzyk.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Richard Beller, Allen Root, Angela Soll, Greg Starzyk, and Chair Greg
Wynn
Absent: Commissioners Brian Rolph and Amy Nemcik
Staff: Community Development Deputy Director Doug Davidson, Associate Planners Shawna
Scott and Kyle Bell, and Recording Secretary Monique Lomeli. Other staff members
presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
David Brodie, San Luis Obispo, expressed opposition toward the black and metal-grey color
schemes used in downtown developments, stating new developments should follow the design
guidelines for aesthetic and environmental benefits.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR WYNN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SOLL,
CARRIED 3-0-2-2 (new Commissioners Beller and Starzyk abstained), to approve the Minutes
of the Architectural Review Commission Meeting of February 13, 2017, with the following
amendment:
Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of April 3, 2017 Page 2
Page 2: Eliminate the duplicate paragraph following the end of public comment.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 1299 Orcutt Road. ARCH-0071-2017: Architectural review of the residential
development within Tract 3083 (West Creek Development) that consists of 172
residential dwelling units within the Orcutt Area Specific Plan, in accordance with the
Mitigated Negative Declaration SBDV-1769-2015 adopted by the City Council,
Resolution No. 10715 (2016 Series); R-4 & R-2 zones; Robbins Reed, Inc., applicant.
Associate Planner Kyle Bell presented the staff report with use of a PowerPoint
presentation and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Randy Russom, Architect, RRM Design Group, stated compliance with all previous
requests for revision.
Applicant Aaron Abbott provided an overview of the plan, noting plan revisions and
responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
Ariel Montoya, San Luis Obispo, stated concerns regarding the potential impacts on
traffic and the height of the retaining walls; requested the Commission require
modifications to the design.
Steve Del Martini spoke in favor of the project and offered information regarding the
community’s housing needs.
Russ Styermin expressed concerns regarding the height of the retaining wall and excess
noise.
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Wynn suggested the applicant work with staff to make minor revisions to Plan 2
– Option 2, specific to the corner (agenda packet page 34) where the flat roof meets the
garage roof.
Commissioner Beller urged staff to monitor the project closely, to implement traffic
calming solutions along Orcutt Road and consider opportunities for connectivity to
create a more inclusive project, including a pathway across the creek.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROOT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
SOLL, CARRIED to adopt the draft resolution approving the architectural design of the
residential development with the following amendments:
Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of April 3, 2017 Page 3
Condition #5: Add “Plans shall include a recess surround trim around the garage
openings of single-family residences.”
Condition #11: Add “All trees shall be a minimum 24-gallon to the satisfaction of the
Community Development Director and City Arborist.”
CARRIED 5-0-2 on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BELLER, ROOT, SOLL, STARZYK, AND WYNN
NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NEMCIK AND ROLPH
2. 1185 Monterey Street. ARCH-4000-2016: Design review of a new four-story mixed
use project that includes 2,464 square feet of ground floor commercial/retail space, 13
residential units, onsite parking, associated tree removals, and modifications to existing
street parking, including the relocation of two 10-hour metered spaces on Toro Street to
Monterey Street, resulting in no net loss of street parking, with a Categorical
Exemption from environmental review (Class 32, in-fill development projects); project
includes demolition of the existing non-historic structure onsite; C-R zone; Matt
Quaglino, Ricardo Court Development, LLC, applicant.
Associate Planner Shawna Scott provided an in-depth staff report with use of a
PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commission inquiries.
Scott Martin, Architect, RRM Design Group presented a project overview and
responded to Commission inquiries.
Matt Quaglino, owner, urged the Commission to include the Ficus tree removal in their
recommendation, noting the intent to replace the tree with three trees of a more suitable
species.
Steve Caminetti, Landscape Architect, responded to Commission inquiries, stating the
location of the Ficus tree is inconsistent with the current guidelines and suggested a
Tristania would be more compatible and less destructive to the surrounding area.
Public Comment:
David Brodie, San Luis Obispo, voiced opposition to the project.
Allen Cooper, San Luis Obispo, requested the Commission continue the project with direction to
return with a more conceptually consistent design.
Russ Brown, San Luis Obispo, expressed concerns regarding the compatibility of the current
design with the overall tradition and future growth of the downtown area.
Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of April 3, 2017 Page 4
Steve Del Martini, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the proposed project.
--End of Public Comment--
Commissioner Soll spoke in general support of the design and suggested the Tree Committee
review the issue of the Ficus tree.
Commissioner Starzyk spoke in favor of the design and noted a lack of compatibility between
the building and Ficus tree; suggested the applicant consider proper placement of a more suitable
tree species.
Commissioner Beller stated the Monterey Street façade needs to be revised; spoke in favor of the
Ficus tree removal; suggested applicant reduce the mass of the southwest façade and
deemphasize the overhead plane.
Commissioner Root spoke in favor of the roof deck and Ficus tree removal; suggested the
applicant revise the roof design.
Chair Wynn spoke in support of the scale and direction of the project; suggested the applicant
articulate the north and south walls and screen the trash enclosure; encouraged the applicant to
communicate with staff regarding the roof classification.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SOLL, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER BELLER, CARRIED 5-0-2 to continue the item to a date uncertain
with direction to the applicant to:
1. Open and/or articulate the two four-story tower elements on the northern and southern
sides of the building (possibly with puncturing openings).
2. Screen the trash enclosure from residences.
3. Modify the top of the building to be more in keeping with community character.
Commission recessed at 7:09 p.m. and reconvened at 7:15 p.m. with all Commissioners present.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. Presentation and Information Regarding Land Use Regulations and the Architectural
Review Commission’s Role and Responsibilities Under the California Environmental
Quality Act.
Assistant City Attorney Jon Ansolabehere and Associate Planner Shawna Scott provided
in-depth information with use of a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
Commissioner inquiries.
Minutes – Architectural Review Commission Meeting of April 3, 2017 Page 5
COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION
Deputy Director Davidson provided an agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Architectural Review
Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 17, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., in the location, 990 Palm
Street, San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION: 06/05/2017