32:
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2005
|
City Council Chambers, Room 213 |
|
7:00 PM |
|
1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting
was called to order at 7:09 p.m.
2. ROLL
CALL: Present: Joan Charles, Chairperson
William Adams, Vice-Chairperson
Tania Fischer
Michael Folonis
Edouard Mimieux
Lynn Robb
Also Present: Darrell Clarke, Planning Commissioner
Stephanie Reich, Urban Designer
Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant
Absent: Rodolfo Alvarez
3. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Bruce Leach informed
that Board that the Planning Commission had a presentation and panel discussion
by Donald Shoup, Ph.D., Jennifer Wolch, Ph.D., and Ventura
City Councilmember Bill Fulton regarding their experiences and knowledge of
theories and practices related to urban planning, transportation, parking, and
environmental sustainability and a discussion regarding General Plan
requirements and procedures at the August 3, 2005 meeting. The video of this meeting is available on the
City website in the Planning Commission archives. Bruce Leach informed the Board that the next
Landmark Commission Meeting scheduled for September 12, 2005 will be reviewing
procedures for staff approvals for modification to potential landmark or
historical structures. Bruce Leach
informed the Board that some reports are incorrectly numbered but the agenda
numbering is correct.
4. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
a. August 1, 2005
Chairperson Charles made the motion to approve the
minutes with one correction. Boardmember
Mimieux seconded the motion that was approved by voice vote.
ACTION:
APPROVED WITH ONE CORRECTION to page 4, paragraph 9 to read, “Boardmember Folonis expressed concern
regarding landscaping selection and placement that if not done properly, may
create a monument affect and become unsightly.”
5. PUBLIC
HEARINGS AND INPUT: Public input
permitted.
6. EX PARTE COMMUNICATION: Boardmember Folonis visited the sites for
items, 7.3, 05-ARB-265,
7. REVIEWS: Public input permitted.
A. CONSENT
CALENDAR
a. Resubmissions: None
b. New Submissions:
7.1 ARB 05-360,
ACTION: APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF
CONDITIONS
B. REGULAR CALENDAR
a. Resubmissions:
7.2 ARB
Approval of Building Facade Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape
Plans
ACTION:
APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS
John Sambuck was present to discuss the project.
Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.
Boardmember Mimieux stated his support of the
placement and height of the Palms Trees and suggested to lower the wall height
and double side the fountain to initiate a more pedestrian friendly environment
while reducing the volume of overall plants.
Boardmember Mimieux also suggested a different landscape species around
the Palm Trees that would be better for the long term health
Vice-Chairperson Adams stated that the height of the limestone
wall is at maximum and suggested the wall should be a maximum of 42 inches for
such a small space.
Boardmember Folonis stated that the existing exterior
façade and entry is open and inviting and expressed concern regarding the
proposal containing too many elements for a small island space. Boardmember Folonis also expressed concern
regarding the maintenance of the stained wood near the ocean and the proposed monument
sign being out of context with the proposal and not incorporated into the
overall design intent.
Chairperson Charles stated that the pedestrian
experience of this hotel is minimal and the fountain gives a pleasant activity
and verified with staff that the signage would return to the Board for approval
at a later date.
Boardmember Robb stated that the fountain is a great
feature and suggested that the design could tie the various elements into the
island. Boardmember Robb suggested that
the flag poles be relocated away from the existing canopy and Palm Trees to
create verticality above the plant material, or be eliminated.
Boardmember Folonis made the motion to approve the
project with the following conditions:
1. Revised plans shall be submitted for
review and approval of the Urban Designer prior to the issuance of a building
permit with the following modifications:
·
The applicant shall provide a double-sided fountain pool
with a limestone wall between the pools that is no higher than 42 inches from
finish grade at any point along the wall.
Pool coping shall be no higher than 18 inches above the finish grade at
any point along the coping. The height of landscaping shall be reduced in front
of the pool and limestone wall so these features are not obscured.
·
The planting design shall be modified to incorporate a
curvilinear or less rigid design. The
plant material around the palm trees shall be replaced with a species and
irrigation that is compatible with the health of the palm trees.
·
The flag poles shall be taller than the palm trees so the
bottoms of the flags are at least three feet higher than the trees. Slender poles shall be used to minimize
opacity.
2. This approval shall expire when the
administrative or discretionary entitlements previously granted by an
associated approval have lapsed. If no such permit has been issued, this
approval shall expire one year from its effective date, unless appealed or
otherwise implemented pursuant to applicable municipal regulations.
3. Prior to the issuance of a building
permit, the applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the City’s Water
Conservation Ordinance subject to staff approval. Modifications to the
landscape plan that effect less than 150 square feet of area may be reviewed
and approved by the Staff Liaison to the Board.
4. Prior
to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall demonstrate that the
plans comply with all applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Significant changes to a project’s design
shall require review and approval of the Architectural Review Board. Minor changes may be approved
administratively pursuant to all applicable guidelines.
5. The signage proposal is not included as
part of this approval. Signage plans
shall be submitted to the Planning Division for review as required by 9.52.040
Boardmember Mimieux seconded the motion that was
approved by voice vote.
7.3 ++ARB
05-265,
Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans
++(05TM014 approved by Planning Commission on 6/20/05)
ACTION:
CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Farhad Ashofteh and Samuel Kim were present to
discuss the project.
Four chits were submitted, Susan Schmidt, Helen
Benninger, Robert Schwartz, and Stephen Schwartz.
Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.
Boardmember Folonis stated his appreciation of the
time and input of the public comment.
Boardmember Folonis also stated that the roof height is in compliance
with City codes but expressed concern with the overall character and design of
the proposed five unit townhouse stating that it is simple, the roof deck
staircases are incongruent, the conception of the window openings do not match
the exterior elevations, and there is little correlation between the plans and
the exterior window apertures and how they may relate to neighbors.
Boardmember Mimieux expressed concern regarding the percentage
of pavement and hard surface coverage on the north façade that lack some type
of plantings, but stated the remainder of the proposed project is planted
adequately.
Vice-Chairperson
Boardmember Robb stated that the building is asymmetrical
at the front and rear elevations, but lacks character, imagination, and
fenestration for the remainder of the proposal.
Boardmember Robb suggested that the stair towers be reviewed as
sculptural and pulled back into the building.
Chairperson Charles stated that the proposed building
does not have quality and the stair towers are intruding. Chairperson Charles expressed concern regarding
the windows selection and placement.
Mr. Ashofteh asked for a continuance.
Chairperson Charles made the motion to continue the
item. Boardmember Folonis seconded the
motion that was approved by voice vote.
b. New Submissions:
7.4 ARB
05-266,
Approval of Building Design, Colors and Materials
ACTION: APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED
CONDITIONS
Gregory Williams was present to discuss the project.
Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.
Vice-Chairperson Adams expressed his support of the
project stating that the proposed is a nice simple job.
Boardmember Folonis concurs with Vice-Chairperson
Adams stating that the addition is interesting with the addition of two
separate buildings that are done very tastefully with nice proportion and
scale. Boardmember Folonis stated that
the materials, planes, and surfaces come together with compatibility. A nice example of a simple design with an
idea.
Boardmember Mimieux stated that the north and south
property lines and in between parking spaces should integrate landscape pockets
to create a space for something green.
Boardmember Mimieux made the motion to approve the
project with the following conditions:
1. This approval shall expire when the
administrative or discretionary entitlements previously granted by an
associated approval have lapsed. If no such permit has been issued, this
approval shall expire one year from its effective date, unless appealed or
otherwise implemented pursuant to applicable municipal regulations.
2. Landscaping
shall be added adjacent to the front elevation (alley elevation) where possible
to add fenestration and soften the façade.
Pertinent landscape and irrigation plans shall be submitted to staff for
review and approval prior to the issuance of building permits.
Boardmember Folonis seconded the motion that was
approved by voice vote.
7.5 ARB
05-312,
Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans
ACTION: CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Barbara Flammang and Alan Friedman were present to
discuss the project.
Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.
Boardmember Folonis stated that the scale and massing
are appropriate for the neighborhood and the proposed materials are quieter
than neighboring buildings but expressed concern regarding the similarity to
the buildings to the north. Boardmember
Folonis stated that the street is currently friendly and a pedestrian oriented
atmosphere and the proposed planters do not provide that type of character and may
overgrow the planters.
Boardmember Robb stated that the drama of the top canopies
are striking but diminishes the focus of the street level and blocks the
commercial space. The entry to the
building disappears and should be an area of focus.
Boardmember Fischer stated that the building is
focused upward and the bottom is heavy and divided with no communication. Boardmember Fischer also stated that the
entry way is not inviting.
Boardmember Mimieux stated that the planning elements
on the front elevation are too tall and the planter height is out of proportion Boardmember Mimieux also stated that the landscaping
plans do not match the elevation drawings.
Vice-Chairperson Charles expressed concern with the presentation
of the ground floor planters. The ground
floor does not make a statement and does not differentiate from the remainder
of the building. This building is
similar to too many existing buildings. The
horizontal layering scales the building but lacks substance.
Vice-Chairperson Adams stated that the proposed
project lacks expression and resembles a pagoda. Vice-Chairperson Adams expressed concern
regarding the planters that are placed in front of the commercial space as the
project lacks clarity and there is no identifiable quality of the project.
Ms. Flammang asked for a continuance.
Chairperson Charles made the motion to continue the
project. Boardmember Fischer seconded
the motion that was approved by voice vote.
8. DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.
a. Discussion of potential recommendations
for Shape the Future Project Team (Land Use Element/ Zoning Ordinance Project)
Chairperson Charles
reminded the Board to review their Land Use Element/Zoning Ordinance report as
the public Open House is Tuesday, August 16, 2004 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at
the
b. Update from the Architectural Review
Board Liaison to the Planning Commission (MF)
Boardmember
Folonis spoke of the presentation at the Planning Commission meeting on August
3, 2005. The video of this meeting is
available on the City website in the Planning Commission archives. Donald Shoup, Ph.D., Jennifer Wolch, Ph.D.,
and Ventura City Councilmember Bill Fulton spoke regarding their experiences
and knowledge of theories and practices related to urban planning,
transportation, parking, and environmental sustainability.
9. FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS: Boardmember
Folonis agendized a discussion regarding developing guidelines for the
commercial component of a mixed use project.
10. REFERRALS TO STAFF: Chairperson Charles will not be available for
the Special Meeting calendared for September 26, 2005. Boardmember Folonis referred the neighbor to
the south of
11. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Charles made the motion to
adjourn at 10:30 p.m. that was seconded by Boardmember Fischer.
09-08-05
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