32:

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, July 10, 2006

Ken Edwards Center, Room 104

7:00 PM

1527 Fourth Street, Santa Monica

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.

 

2.         ROLL CALL:               Present:       Joan Charles, Chairperson

William Adams, Vice-Chairperson (arrival 7:15)

Rodolfo Alvarez

Tania Fischer

Michael Folonis

Edouard Mimieux

Lynn Robb

 

                                          Also Present:       Steve Traeger, Interim Urban Designer

Bruce Leach, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

3.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

  • The next Regular Meetings of the Architectural Review Board are scheduled for July 17th and August 7th in the Council Chambers;
  • The distributed Agenda was mis-numbered and a corrected Agenda is now available;
  • The City Clerk has scheduled an Election Workshop for next Monday, July 17th at the Ken Edwards Center for any candidate interested in elected positions.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

None.

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INPUT:  None.

 

6.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:  Board member Folonis visited the sites at 7.3, 06-ARB-148, 1260 Third Street, 7.6, 06-ARB-243, 1630 Third Street, and 7.7, 06-ARB-174, 1227 Lincoln Boulevard.

 

7.         REVIEWS:

 

            A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

Chairperson Charles made the motion to approve the Consent Calendar that was approved by Board member Folonis.

 

                        a.         Resubmissions:  None

 

                        b.         New Submissions:

 

7.1       **ARB 06-242, 1401-1411 Third Street Promenade: Retail Store

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

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

7.2       ARB 06-218, 1302 Montana Avenue: Retail Store

Modify Sign Program and Approve Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

            B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

                        a          Resubmissions:

 

7.3       ARB 06-148, 1260 Third Street Promenade: Sit-Down Restaurant

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Beth Holden was present to discuss the project.

 

One chit was submitted, Jerry Rubin.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Board member Folonis clarified that the dolphin statue is to be relocated by the Bayside District Corporation and in compliance with applicable regulations.

 

Board members discussed that the use of the existing Victorian style kiosk building is limited by size, design, Health Department regulations, alcohol use requirements, and Bayside District regulations.   Many Board members concurred that the proposed façade design, colors, materials, and sign plans are harmonious to the architecture, City, Bayside District, and do not compromise the integrity of the structure; therefore an appropriate and sensitive design and an improvement from the previous submission.

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams stated that the proposal erodes from the substance of the previous sensitive architecture and is not true to the building.  Vice-Chairperson Adams also stated that the proposal resembles wallpaper and appears like a phony appliqué and is overpowering.

 

Board member Alvarez expressed concern regarding the removal of the dolphin, materials, applications, seating, and railings.

 

Board member Folonis made the motion to approve the project that was seconded by Board member Mimieux.

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams abstained from voting and Board member Alvarez did not support the motion.

 

7.4       ARB 06-214, 2512 Twenty-Eighth Street: Multi-Residential

Modify Approved Building Design, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Kim Carrie was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Board member Robb stated that the proposed modifications have a pleasing relationship and recommended approval of the project and commended the applicant for returning to the Board during the construction phase of the project for provisional approval.

 

Board member Mimieux expressed concern that the Boston Ivy may be overpowering and recommended the substitution of gallon mixed perennial materials and planters with non-tap rooted materials for an umbrella tree impact.

 

Board member Mimieux made the motion to approve the project with landscaping recommendations that was seconded by Board member Robb.

 

                        b.         New Submissions:

 

7.5       ARB 06-299, 505 Olympic Boulevard: Homeless Services Facility

Modify Approved Building Finish

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Ralph Mecher was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Chairperson Charles stated that due to the location of this building in a non prominent part of the City, the substitution of sand float stucco finish in lieu of the Architectural Review Board previously approved steel-troweled stucco finish façade is appropriate for maintenance concerns.

 

Vice-Chairperson Adams also stated that that sand float does get dirty but does not change the visual aspects of the building.

 

Board member Alvarez made the motion to approve the project that was seconded by Board member Fischer.

 

7.6       ARB 06-243, 1630 Stewart Street: Artist Studios

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

David Forbes Hibbert was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the proposed project is a strong well defined building that responds to the neighborhood and a great opportunity for future occupants with a good definition of an artist’s studio incorporating appropriate natural light for usage.

Board member Mimieux commented that the lesser utilized Palm Trees, plant materials, and Phoenix large specimens are appropriately placed.  Board member Mimieux also stated that the smaller Palm Trees require growth area but the Pepper Trees are not conducive to this area.  Board members concurred that any 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.

 

Board member Robb made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Board member Mimieux.

 

7.7       ARB 06-174, 1227 Lincoln Boulevard: Medical Office Building

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

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Donald Brand was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Board members expressed concern regarding the density and stability of the stainless steel pattern grid, support placement and strength, installation method, cleaning and maintenance of the screens, the undistinguished palate of colors, and suggested the applicant return with more technical research and landscaping proposal.

 

Board members commended the applicant on the bold, strong idea, good signage that reads well with an appropriate sized and placed font.

 

Mr. Brand asked for a continuance.

 

Chairperson Charles made the motion to continue the project that was seconded by Board member Robb.

 

7.8       ARB 06-211, 1460 Fourth Street: Retail Store

Approval of Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

Robert Negriff was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

Board members concurred that the applicant should conform to the current Sign Code and expressed concern regarding the total proposed sign area.  Board members voiced understanding of the applicants difficulties with the unique arcade architecture but recommended reducing the size of the wall sign to 24 inch letter height and 30 inch background area.

 

Board members confirmed that the existing blade sign is outside the purview of the Architectural Review Board.

 

Board member Robb made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Board member Alvarez.

 

7.9       **ARB 06-228, 1426 Montana Avenue: Retail Stores

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

ACTION:

 

Geoff Lim was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Charles closed the public hearing.

 

Board members expressed concern with the proposed size and placement of the signage for an existing small building, and the multiple palates of proposed façade remodel materials; however the Board commended the applicant for incorporating playfulness and humor into their design style and recommended the applicant return to the Board with a more cohesive proposal.

 

Chairperson Charles made the motion to continue the project that was seconded by Board member Robb

 

8.         DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.

 

a.         Discussion of potential recommendations for Shape the Future Project Team (Land Use Element/ Zoning Ordinance Project).

NO ACTION TAKEN

 

b.         Discussion regarding potential revisions to the Sign Ordinance (JC).

CONTINUED

 

c.         Discussion of potential new regulations to require inspections and certification of compliance with ARB approvals during construction.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Bruce Leach conducted a discussion regarding the crafting of an Ordinance to require inspections and certification of compliance with Architectural Review Board approvals during construction.  Staff research reflects that any potential ordinance should incorporate the ability of the property owner to designate someone other than the architect on file and a waiver so that a property owner can waive and accept the responsibility of another party.  The ultimate goal of any potential ordinance is compliance and to reduce the number of violations. Staff will work up an outline and then agendize for the further discussion.

 

d.         Discussion of potential recommendations to revise the Ocean Park Neighborhood Design Guidelines (MF).

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

e.         Update from the Architectural Review Board Liaison to the Planning Commission (MF).

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  None.

 

10        REFERRALS TO STAFF:  None.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Chairperson Charles made the motion to adjourn at 10:05 p.m. that was seconded by Board member Robb

 

MB

07-12-06