Architectural Review Commission Meeting Update
Regular Meeting

November 17, 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 

Commr.  Palazzo was absent. 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   

The agenda was accepted as submitted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment other than on regular agenda items. 

PRESENTATION: 

1.   Introduction to plan revisions proposed for the Laurel Creek project, affecting the design of 112 units at 861 and 953 Orcutt Road; R-4-PD zone; Watt Communities, applicant.  (Michael Codron) 

Michael Codron provided a detailed presentation to the Commission on proposed revisions to the project that were necessary to comply with the new International Building Code.  He noted that the revised project would result in less overall grading and lower building heights.  He clarified that the site plan was generally the same with the same density but that fewer buildings were proposed (19 instead of 30).  He went over the detailed colored elevations noting that there were two proposed building styles, Craftsman and Mission/Spanish Revival.  He concluded by noting that a staff report with an analysis of the changes, including needed minor creek setback exceptions, would be prepared for a public hearing at the ARC’s next meeting scheduled for  December 1^st. 

The applicant followed with their own presentation of some of the key changes and responded to questions from the Commission. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

2.   1310 Foothill Boulevard.  ARC 200-07; Final review of a new 16-unit residential condominium project; R-3 zone; SLO Investments, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Staff provided a presentation that focused on the previous ARC direction and the changes made to the project by the applicant in response.  The applicants answered Commission questions regarding pedestrian access to the university and the proposed building colors and roof treatment.  On a 6:0 vote, the ARC granted final approval to the project, based on findings, and subject to conditions and code requirements.  The ARC amended Condition No. 7 to require the applicants to work with staff on a final color scheme, encouraging them to produce colored building elevations and to use complementary, rather than contrasting, colors.  

3.        11980 Los Osos Valley Road.  ARC 7-07; Conceptual review of a new commercial retail center on the GAP property known as Prefumo Creek Commons; Irish Hills Plaza East, LLC, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)

Staff presented the revised site plan and building elevations and discussed the Commission’s previous comments highlighting applicable sections of the Community Design Guidelines.  Staff noted how revised plans have responded to some of the ARC’s prior direction but that significant changes to the project, especially the addition of a 140,000 s.f. tenant, create potential challenges in complying with the Community Design Guidelines.  Following a separate presentation by the project architects, the Commissioners discussed the site plan and building elevations and questioned the positioning of the major anchor in relationship to the street, asking why most of the parking needs to be between the street and the store.  The project representative discussed the need for parking to be available to customers between the building entrance and the street.  

During public testimony, several residents of the Oceanaire neighborhood discussed concerns regarding pedestrian access and location of truck loading docks for Anchor C. Neighbors preferred that all larger retail stores be moved as far from the neighborhood as possible.  

In summary, Commissioners felt that the proposed site plan was justified but could be improved by the addition of another commercial pad adjacent to Los Osos Valley Road and by the incorporation of additional landscape and other treatment between the main anchor and the street.  The applicants responded by introducing new plans that show trellis features at the edge of the parking area and a reconfigured loading dock for Anchor C.  Commissioners also discussed the need for minor changes to the north elevation of Anchor E and expressed the desire for the architecture of the anchor and pad buildings to be complementary to one another in terms of quality, details, and finish materials.  The ARC continued the item to a date uncertain with direction to incorporate minor changes.  

COMMENT & DISCUSSION: 

1.           Staff: 

a.      Agenda Forecast - Pam Ricci provided an agenda forecast for the upcoming December 1^st meeting. 

2.           Commission: 

a.   Minutes:  November 3, 2008 - The minutes were approved as submitted. 

b.     Recent Project Review – Lessons Learned 

The Commission asked staff to insure that colored elevations depicting proposed color palettes for buildings accompany plans submitted for final architectural review approval.  They also mentioned that actual material samples of proposed brick and cultured stone be submitted and that adequate information is presented to determine how mortar joints will be finished. 

ADJOURNMENT   

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

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.