Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

October 6, 2008                    Monday                                     5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Commrs. Jim Duffy, Steven Hopkins, Zeljka Howard, Anthony Palazzo, Chris Weber, Vice-Chair Greg Wilhelm, and Chairperson Allen Root 

All of the Commissioners were present. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   

The agenda was accepted as submitted.

 PUBLIC COMMENT:   

Pierre Rademaker suggested that Camphor trees be allowed as street trees in the Mill Street Historical District area to tie in with the established pattern of tree planting.  He noted that the City Arborist had indicated that these trees have maintenance issues and were not on the City’s approved Street Tree List. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   1075 Court Street.  ARC-S 119-08; Review of a painted “antique mural” sign on the west elevation of the building; C-D-H zone; Quaglino Properties LLC, applicant. (Brian Leveille)

On a 7:0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the mural sign, based on findings, and subject to one condition.  Pierre Rademaker noted that the sign is intended to be pedestrian oriented and to have a more rough hewn appearance to look like an antique sign.  The ARC really liked the idea of the sign and felt that it was appropriate for the site’s historical district setting. 

PRESENTATION: 

2.    San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce presentation regarding appearance of Downtown.  (Dave Garth) 

Dave Garth provided a PowerPoint presentation that depicted street furniture and landscape improvements in other communities including local cities Atascadero, Paso Robles, and Arroyo Grande, and Boulder, Colorado.  These images were intended to show good examples of installations of a variety of public facilities and improvements including tree wells, news racks, sidewalks, lighting fixtures, trash containers, and signage.  In contrast, images of installations of similar improvements in San Luis Obispo were shown that showed maintenance concerns and a lack of consistency from one installation to another. 

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

3.           Staff: 

a.   Budget Goals – Presentation by Bill Statler followed by ARC discussion of goals 

Bill Statler explained the City’s upcoming 2009-2011 budget review and the ARC’s role in the process.  The ARC discussed the status of the goals that were submitted for the 2007-2009 budget and provided some ideas on items that they would like to modify and add for the next budget cycle’s goals.  Pam Ricci noted that she would provide a working draft of the ARC’s budget goals that they could edit and finalize at their next meeting. 

b.   Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming October 6^th meeting. 

c.   Tree Committee Representative – Allen Root indicated that he would continue to serve as the ARC’s representative on the Committee at least until the end of next March. 

4.           Commission: 

a.   Minutes:  August 18, 2008, and September 15, 2008 (amend or approve) - The minutes of August 18^th were approved as submitted and the minutes of September 15^th were approved with minor amendments. 

b.   Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

ADJOURNMENT 

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Architectural Review Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours.