32:

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2007

City Council Chambers, Room 213

7:00 PM

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

 

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

 

2.         ROLL CALL:               Present:       Michael Folonis, Chairperson

Lynn Robb, Vice-Chairperson

Joan Charles

Tania Fischer

Edouard Mimieux (arrival 7:10)

 

                                          Also Present:       Steve Traeger, Urban Designer

Scott Albright, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

Absent:        William Adams

Rodolfo Alvarez

 

3.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

·        The next scheduled Meetings of the Architectural Review Board are a Special Meeting on Wednesday April 11, 2007, and a Regular Meeting on Monday, April 16, 2007, both in the Council Chambers;

·        A Special Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission to review the Village component of the Civic Center Specific Plan is tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2007 in the Council Chambers.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

            a.         February 28, 2007

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Minutes as submitted that was seconded by Board member Charles.

ACTION:  APPROVED AS SUBMITTED

b.         March 5, 2007

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Minutes as submitted that was seconded by Board member Fischer.

ACTION: APPROVED AS SUBMITTED

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INPUT:   None.

 

6.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:  Chairperson Folonis visited the sites for 7.7, 07-ARB-021, 844 Pico Boulevard and 7.9, 07-ARB-043, 1919 Fourth Street.

7.         REVIEWS:  Public input permitted.

 

            A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

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

 

Board member Charles made the motion to move Item 7.4, 06-ARB-504, 941 Eleventh Street to the Consent Calendar that was seconded by Board member Robb.

 

Board member Charles made the motion to move Item 7.5 06-ARB-525, 2121 Oak Street to the Consent Calendar.  The applicant was not present at the time the motion was made, so this Item was continued to later in the meeting.

 

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

 

                        a.         Resubmissions:  None.

 

                        b.         New Submissions:  None.

 

A.                 REGULAR CALENDAR

 

a.                  Resubmissions:

 

7.1       **ARB 06-017, 1539 Fourth Street: Mixed-use

Approval of Sign Program and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

a.         Resubmissions:

 

7.2       **ARB 06-294, 1927 Eighteenth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION: BUILDING, DESIGN, COLORS, AND MATERIALS, APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS WITH LANDSCAPING TO RETURN TO THE BOARD

 

Marco Brambilla was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the applicant has responded to the previous comments of the Board by improving the pedestrian orientation, replacing the vinyl windows, articulating the side elevation elements, and unifying the building with the second floor treatment of the curved element that reduces the massing, however; Board members expressed concern regarding the lack of detail to the landscaping proposal and irrigation plan.  Board member Mimieux made the friendly suggestion for the applicant to revisit the planting selection around the alley, garage, and front areas.

 

Board member Charles made the motion to approve the project with landscaping to return to the Board that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb.

 

7.3       **ARB 06-448, 919 Seventeenth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Shahab Ghods was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the applicant has responded to the previous comments of the Board with the introduction of the staggered shingle siding to all elevations, that reduce the repetition and massing, the simplified rail design, the improved pedestrian orientation, and the change of stucco materials to the horizontal siding on the chimneys and garages.  These changes in the overall massing and materials are more consistent with Craftsman Style architecture.  However; Board members expressed concern regarding the incorporation of the gable roof and the solid wood painted railing.  The Board made the suggestion to change the safety guard railing to a fifty-percent clear material and referred the roof and railing back to staff.

 

Board member Mimieux stated that the Blooming Crepe Myrtle plant materials may not be mildew resistant and referred the plant selection back to staff for evaluation.

 

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

 

7.4       *ARB 06-504, 941 Eleventh Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

7.5       **ARB 06-525, 2121 Oak Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  CONTINED, APPLICANT NOT PRESENT

 

b.         New Submissions:

 

7.6       **ARB 07-002, 2216 Fifth Street: Residential Duplex

Approval of Building Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Stephen Frey was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the applicant has successfully expressed the character of the Craftsman Style of architecture in a manner that is consistent with the Ocean Park Design Guidelines; however, the Board expressed concern regarding the pedestrian orientation of the front façade.  The Board stated that the large garage doors pose a difficult challenge to the applicant and made the condition to include the addition of a porch roof over the front entry and a trellis with a vine-like planting at the entry of the garage to minimize the garage door openings and referred the applicant to staff for these changes.

 

Board member Charles made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb.

 

7.7       **ARB 07-021, 844 Pico Boulevard: Residential Care Facility

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

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Ralph Mechur was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the proposed façade changes are an improvement to the existing structure however; the Board expressed concern regarding the size of the windows in the bedroom spaces that face the street and the size of the proposed landscaping planters.  The Board also stated that the addition of exterior lighting will improve security, and the redesign of the front yard by lowering the front yard planter establishes a relationship between the street and the building and creates a more pedestrian friendly environment.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb.

 

7.8       **ARB 06-508, 1421 Princeton Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Pedro Martinez was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members stated that the proposed design is compatible with the context of the neighborhood, well designed, and a good example of the Mediterranean Style of architecture.

 

Vice-Chairperson Robb made the motion to approve the project with staff conditions that was seconded by Board member Fischer.

 

7.9       ARB 07-043, 1919 Fourth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION: BUILDING, DESIGN, COLORS, AND MATERIALS, APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS WITH LANDSCAPING TO RETURN TO THE BOARD

 

Jeff Guga was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the proposed project is well designed and compatible with the neighborhood and a modern interpretation of the Craftsman Style of architecture for a multifamily building.  Board members also stated that each elevation is designed differently and the strength and texture of the materials unifies all of the design elements and articulates that they are separate but related units.  The Board expressed concern regarding the pedestrian orientation of the proposed project; however, the Board stated that the neighborhood consisted of varying uses and the existing street has a commercial character. 

 

Board member Mimieux expressed concern with the proposed landscape plan regarding the debris of the proposed Bamboo, Palm, Eucalyptus, and Bottle Brush trees.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve building design, colors and materials with landscaping to return to the Board, including irrigation and detail of the planting material, that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb.

 

Board member Mimieux did not support the motion.

 

7.10    **ARB 07-023, 510 Wilshire Boulevard: Commercial

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

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Stephen Shell and Natasha Sunshine were present to discuss the project.

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members stated that the proposed application is whimsical and clean, however; since the applicant has changed the proposal since the time of application, the Board advised the applicant to return to the Board with a new complete application.  The Board directed the applicant to revisit the placing of name and phone numbers on each awning as the current proposal is inconsistent, and also directed the applicant to work with staff regarding the size of the beauty salon logo.

 

Mr. Shell asked for a continuance.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to continue the project that was seconded by Board member Fischer.

 

8.         DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.

a.         Discussion on scheduling related to the upcoming Boards and Commission Dinner on April 16, 2007

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

After a discussion of options, the Board agreed not to attend the Boards and Commission Dinner on Monday, April 16, 2007 and to proceed with the regularly scheduled meeting of the Architectural Review Board.

 

b.         Discussion on possible Board member attendance at the upcoming City-sponsored Placemaking Workshops on March 26th, March 28th, and April 5th.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

Chairperson Folonis advised the Board that the Placemaking workshops are scheduled for Monday, March 26 at Virginia Avenue Park, Wednesday, March 28 at Lincoln Middle School Cafeteria, and Thursday April 5 at Olympic High School Cafeteria.  All meetings are 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Chairperson Folonis encouraged each Board member to attend one workshop.  Board members are to confirm their attendance by E-mail to Steve Traeger to prevent attendance violation of the Brown Act.

 

c.         Discussion to review the possibility of an ARB resolution to add a requirement for applicants to provide a three dimensional rendering (not a model) of projects (JC).

ACTION: DISCUSISON HELD

 

Board Charles stated that applications that come before the Board should include three dimensional renderings to assist the Board in evaluating proposed projects.  The Board directed staff to draft a Resolution to make this a requirement.

 

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

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  Chairperson Folonis re-agendized a discussion regarding the parking requirements and preliminary sign-off by the Transportation Management Division.

 

10.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  None.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Vice-Chairperson Robb the motion to adjourn at 10:09 p.m. that was seconded by Board member Fischer.

 

MB

03-26-07