MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2004

Ken Edwards Center, Room 103

7:00 PM

1527 Fourth Street, Santa Monica

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:11 p.m.

 

2.         ROLL CALL:      Present:                Joan Charles, Chairperson

William Adams, Vice-Chairperson

Rodolfo Alvarez

Tania Fischer

Michael Folonis

Edouard Mimieux

 

                                          Also Present:       Jay P. Johnson, Planning Commissioner

Stephanie Reich, Urban Designer

Marika Modugno, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

Absent:                 Iris Oliveras

 

3.         SECETARY’S REPORT:  Marika Modugno, Associate Planner, informed the Board that 04-ARB-224, 2220 Fourth Street has been appealed to the Planning Commission and is agendized for Wednesday, October 20, 2004.  Marika Modugno informed the Board that item 7.3, 04-ARB-363, 2461 Santa Monica Boulevard withdrew their application.  Marika Modugno informed the Board that the packet scheduled for the next regular meeting of the Architectural Review Board for Monday, November 1, 2004, will contain an information item regarding noticing of the hearing agenda for the Architectural Review Board.  Marika Modugno, informed the Board that the Ken Edwards Center closure time is 10:00 p.m. and any item unheard will continue to the next meeting.  Marika Modugno informed the Board that the City Clerk has accepted Boardmember Oliveras letter of resignation and authorized the City Clerk to publish the vacancy.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  None.

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INPUT: Public input permitted.

 

6.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:  Boardmember Folonis received six letters in support of item 7.6, 04-ARB-409, 3007 Second Street and had a conversation with architect Sergio Zeballos regarding item 7.10, 04-ARB-432, 2218 Fifth Street.  Boardmember Folonis visited the sites for Items 7.1, 04-ARB-467, 2914 Highland Avenue, 7.3, 04-ARB-353, 2461 Santa Monica Boulevard, 7.4, 04-ARB-413, 3017 Lincoln Boulevard, 7.8, 04-ARB-360, 1320 Arizona Avenue, 7.9, 04-ARB-393, 126 Pacific Street and, 7.10, 04-ARB 432, 2218 Fifth Street.

 

Boardmember Fischer received four E-mail regarding Item 7.6, 04-ARB-409, 3007 Second Street and visited the site for an applicant on October 4, 2004, 04-ARB-370, 2924 Main Street.

 

Chairperson Charles received correspondence regarding Item 7.6, 04-ARB-409, 3007 Second Street.

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams received correspondence regarding Item 7.6, 04-ARB-409, 3007 Second Street.  Boardmember Adams recused himself from for Item 7.9, 04-ARB-393, 126 Pacific Street, due to a business relationship with the applicant.

 

Boardmember Alvarez received numerous letters and E-mails regarding Item 7.6, 04-ARB-409, 3007 Second Street and visited the site.  Boardmember Alvarez also had a conversion with the architect Sergio Zeballos regarding item 7.10, 04-ARB-432, 2218 Fifth Street

 

7.         REVIEWS: Public input permitted.

 

            A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

 

                        a.         Resubmissions: None

 

                        b.         New Submissions:

 

7.1       ARB04-467, 2914 Highland Avenue:  Multiple Family Residence

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials, and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

7.2       ARB04-436, 1431 Third Street Promenade:  Fossil

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials, and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

7.3       ARB04-353, 2461 Santa Monica Boulevard: Starbucks

Approval of Sign Plans and Modification to an Existing Sign Program

ACTION:  WITHDRAWN AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

7.4       ARB04-413, 3017 Lincoln Boulevard: Safe Gas

Approval of Sign Plans and Sign Adjustment

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Fabian Padilla was present to discuss the project and stated that the previous sign contractor installed the sign without a permit without his knowledge.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Boardmember Folonis expressed concern regarding the signage being 25% over the allowable square footage.

 

Boardmember Alvarez stated that the building proposes difficulties because of visibility and that this application may be a special circumstance and the applicant has demonstrated a good faith effort to comply.  Boardmember Alvarez also expressed concern to the Board regarding carefully monitoring overages.

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams stated that this particular building is designed for a double sign instead of a single sign and cannot be read by driving by in one direction and the applicant is at a disadvantage and this may not be a normal circumstance.

 

Chairperson Charles stated that the sign is only readable for northbound traffic and the overage could be a design issue but stated that there could be a better designed sign that is readable and smaller.

 

Boardmember Mimieux stated that the applicant has demonstrated continuity in keeping with the other shops in character.

 

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams made the motion to approve the project.

 

Boardmember Mimieux seconded the motion that was approved by voice vote.

 

Chairperson Charles and Boardmember Folonis did not support the motion

 

7.5       ARB04-404, 1702 Santa Monica Boulevard:  Hyundai of Santa Monica

Approval of Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

7.6       ARB04-409, 3007 Second Street: St. Joseph’s Center

Approval of Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

                        a.         Resubmissions: 

 

7.7       *ARB04-185, 1460 Third Street Promenade:  Café Crepe

Approval of a Sign Program, Sign Plans, and a Sign Adjustment

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Fred Villa was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Boardmember Alvarez expressed his support of the project stating that the lettering is tasteful and in proportion to the remainder of the building and a positive contribution to the Promenade.

 

Boardmember Folonis stated that the proposal is appropriate and demonstrates good taste and meets all criteria but expressed concern that the proposal is 60 square feet over the allowable square footage.

 

Boardmember Fischer stated that the proposed appears bulky and clarified that the cabinets were stainless steel.  Boardmember Folonis expressed concern that the stainless steel component does not fit in with the building.

 

Boardmember Mimieux stated that the proposed is more contemporary than the building style and presents a sleek look.

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams stated that the existing building was previously poorly restored and the historic quality of the building is not a qualifying factor for the signage.

 

Chairperson Charles expressed concern regarding the preservation of the remainder of the existing building and stated that the applicant is making every attempt to save the quality of the historic building. 

 

Chairperson Charles made the motion to approve the project.

 

Boardmember Alvarez seconded the motion that was approved by voice vote.

 

Boardmembers Folonis and Fischer did not support the motion.

 

7.8       ARB04-360, 1320 Arizona Avenue:  Santa Monica Community Church

Approval of Sign Plans and a Sign Adjustment to Allow the Conversion of an Existing Freestanding Sign to a Monument Sign

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICAN’TS REQUEST

 

Jim Bogosian was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Boardmember Folonis expressed concern with the monument sign height and proposed 2 feet from the ground for a total of 5 feet.  Boardmember Folonis also suggested incorporating a concrete base and surrounding plantings.

Vice-Chairperson Adams stated his understanding of the need for the applicant to deliver signage to distinguish a church but the proposed signage is out of proportion and lacks quality.  Boardmember Adams also stated his understanding of the applicant’s financial restrictions and suggested the applicant apply for a continuance and reapply with a more appropriate elegant sign for a church with financial restrictions and not just a sign in the front yard.

 

Boardmember Alvarez expressed concern with the five foot sign height and suggested that future finances may allow a better sign at a later date.

 

Chairperson Charles suggested having the words “community church” on two lines.

 

Mr. Bogosian asked for a continuance.

 

Vice Chairperson Charles made the motion to continue the item

 

Boardmember Alvarez seconded the motion that was approved by voice vote.

 

                        b.         New Submissions:

 

            Vice-Chairperson Adams left the dais

 

7.9       ARB04-393, 126 Pacific Street: Multiple-Family Residence

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials, and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams returned to the dais.

 

7.10    ARB04-432, 2218 Fifth Street:  Multiple-Family Residence

Approval of Building Design, Colors, and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

8.         DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.  None.

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  Boardmember Folonis agendized a discussion about waving City fees for non profit organizations. Chairperson Charles agendized a discussion regarding sign guidelines due to the recent increase in sign application.

 

10.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  Boardmember Folonis referred to staff the failing conditions of 237 Beach.  Boardmember Fischer referred the neon signs at 2924 Main Street, Nail and Hair Day Spa, from its application from October 4, 2004.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Chairperson Charles made the motion to adjourn at 8:50.  Boardmember Folonis seconded the motion that was approved by voice vote.

 

10-25-04

MB