32:

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, JULY 16, 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 7:04.p.m.

 

2.         ROLL CALL:               Present:       Michael Folonis, Chairperson

Lynn Robb, Vice-Chairperson

Joan Charles

Edouard Mimieux

 

Absent:        William Adams

Rodolfo Alvarez

Tania Fischer

 

                                          Also Present:       Jay P. Johnson, Planning Commissioner

Barbara Kaplan, Landmark Commissioner, (departure 8:55 p.m.)

Steve Traeger, Urban Designer

Scott Albright, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

3.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

·        The next scheduled Meetings of the Architectural Review Board are Regular Meetings on August 6, and August 20, 2007 in the Council Chambers;

·        Each Board member has been distributed E-mail correspondence for Item 7.2, 07-ARB-228, 3009 Linda Lane, and Item 7.8, 07-ARB-209, 120 Hart Avenue;

·        Each Board member has been distributed additional photographs for Item 7.10, 07-ARB-249, 1452 Third Street Promenade;

·        Saturday, July 21, 2007 is a workshop to discuss Santa Monica industrial lands from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1900 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica College, Concert Hall.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

            a.         June 18, 2007

Chairperson Michael Folonis made the motion to table the Minutes until a full Board is present.

ACTION:  CONTINUED TO THE AUGUST 6, 2007 MEETING

 

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INPUT:   

 

6.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:    Chairperson Folonis visited the sites for 7 5, 07-ARB-131, 1325 Third Street Promenade, 7.8, 07-ARB-209, 120 Hart Street, 7.10, 07-ARB-249, 1452 Third Street Promenade, 7.13, 07-ARB-198, 1512 Arizona Avenue, and 7.14, 07-ARB-199, 1909 Lincoln Boulevard.

 

7.         REVIEWS:  Public input permitted.

 

            A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to remove Item 7.2, 07-ARB-228, 3009 Linda Lane from the Consent Calendar to the Regular Calendar and add Item 7.10, 07-ARB-249, 1452 Third Street Promenade to the Consent Calendar that was seconded by Board member Charles.

 

                        a.         Resubmissions:  None.

 

                        b.         New Submissions:  None.

 

7.1       **ARB 07-203, 2117 Navy Street: Single-Family

Approval of Building Design

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

7.2       **ARB 07-228, 3009 Linda Lane: Single-Family

Approval of Modification of an R1 Development Standard

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Drew Zigone was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board member Charles stated that the purview of the Architectural Review Board is to evaluate the proposed modification of the garage door location.  The Board concurred that the proposed redesign is applicable to the substandard size of the existing lot and slope differential and complies to current City Code for an R1 neighborhood.

 

Board member Charles made the motion to approve the project with staff conditions that seconded by Board member Mimieux.

7.3       **ARB 07-192, 2301 Tenth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Color, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  CONTINUED PRIOR TO THE MEETING

 

            B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

                        a.         Resubmissions:

 

7.4       **ARB 07-052, 2020 Wilshire Boulevard: Commercial

Approval of Building Design, Colors, and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Farouk Ghandi and Tim Robin were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members stated that the applicant has responded to the previous concerns of the Board with the selection of smaller tiles; however, the Board expressed concern regarding the placement and size of the reader board, the interface of the tile at the sidewalk level, the terminus of the tile on the side elevation, and the alignment of the tile to the roof line.

 

The Board referred the applicant to work closely with Staff for the resolution of the tile edges and the reader board.

 

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

 

7.5       *ARB 07-131, 1325 Third Street Promenade: Commercial

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

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Sheryl Fetterly was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

Board members concurred that the applicant has responded to the previous concerns of the Board and appropriately differentiated the signage from the light-box architectural feature with a horizontal reveal.  The Board also stated that the proposed façade redesign is elegant and appropriate for the Promenade.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the project with staff conditions that was seconded by Board member Charles.

 

                        b.         New Submissions:

 

7.6       *ARB 07-137, 1260 Eighteenth Street: Religious Facility

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

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

 

Ralph Mechur and Keith Levowitz were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board member Charles stated that the proposed project is listed on the Historic Resources Inventory and confirmed that the existing bungalow has been relocated and refurbished and not demolished.

 

The Board stated that the applicant has been successful in interacting three architectural styles. however; the Board expressed concern regarding the lack of landscaping on the south elevation to transition the existing sanctuary and the social hall.  Board member Mimieux expressed concern regarding the lack of landscaping on the Arizona Avenue elevation.

 

Commissioner Johnson stated that the applicant has conformed to the conditions outlined by the Planning Commission for the Conditional Use Permit.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve building design, colors, and materials with landscaping to return to the Board that was seconded by Board member Mimieux.

 

7.7       **ARB 07-166, 2117 Dewey Street: Single-Family

Approval of Building Design

ACTION:  CONTINUED PRIOR TO THE MEETING

 

7.8       ARB 07-209, 120 Hart Avenue: Single-Family

Approval of Building Design

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Hank Koning was present to discuss the project.

 

Six chits were submitted, Cory Buckner, Sue Miller, Lee Miller, Amy Call. Marshall Williams, and David Crellin.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Landmark Commissioner Kaplan stated that this proposed project is in a neighborhood that is being evaluated by the Landmark’s Commission for consideration of a possible historic district that, if designated, would be under the guidelines of the Secretary of Interior Standards.  Commissioner Kaplan also stated that the proposed materials and textures establish a dialogue with the fabric of the existing neighborhood and that the proposed project is sensitive to the Craftsman style of the existing structures in the neighborhood.

 

The Board stated that the proposed project is an improvement over the existing building, with strong design characteristics, the side elevations are well composed and articulated, but could be better enhanced with changed proportions, and use of materials. 

 

The Board verified that the elevator shaft projection is within the current City Code and the roof plate height remains unchanged, and also within City Code.  The Board evaluated the necessity of roof access by elevator that would result in increased height of the building.  The Board referred the applicant to Staff to revise the plans demonstrating the elevator tower stopping at the top of the new roof, not to extend above the roofline and revisions to show the proposed solar equipment more centrally located on the roof and pushed back from public view with a suitable amount of mechanical equipment screening.

 

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

 

7.9       **ARB 07-153, 1048 Tenth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Color, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Shahab Ghods was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Commissioner Johnson verified that this application is within the Development Standards Guidelines prior to January 2007.

 

Board member Mimieux expressed concern regarding the accuracy of the plant count and the lack of plantings on the alley side, and the use of container plantings over slabs.

 

Board members expressed concern regarding the heavy front façade elements, the repetitiveness of the side elevations, the overall mass and scale of the building, and the cast moldings that are not authentic of the Mediterranean influenced architectural style.  The Board also stated that this design is lacking in imagination and definition.

 

Mr. Ghods asked for a continuance.

 

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

 

7.10    **ARB 07-249, 1452 Third Street Promenade: Commercial

Approval of Building Design, Colors, and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

7.11    **ARB 07-262, 1812 Stanford Street: Commercial/Industrial

Approval of Building Design, Color, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Sammie El-Bayer was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board member verified that this application in the Light Manufacturing Studio District does not require landscaping.  The Board also verified that the plans are mislabeled.  The Board also stated that the staircases act as a sculptural element and the sections of the glass side façade are a creative way to treat an industrial site. The Board also stated that the application is nicely scaled and proportioned; however, the Board expressed concern regarding the blank south and west elevations.

 

The Board referred the applicant to work with Staff on revisions to the south and west elevations and to consider the friendly suggestion to utilize vines on the blank elevations.

 

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

 

7.12    ARB 07-167, 1410 Fifth Street: Commercial

Approval of Sign Program, Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Robyn Bentley was present to discuss the project and stated that the owner was willing to remove the interior “Pulse Band” but would like to retain the frosted vinyl on the bottom of the windows that has the Wachovia wave logo.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the proposed sign plans do not demonstrate a hardship and warrant a sign adjustment and needs to conform to the allowable signage area.  The Board also stated that the lower vinyl frosted covering should not retain the Wachovia wave logo.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the project with no sign adjustment, with removal of “Pulse Band”, and no Wachovia wave logo on the frosted vinyl window coverings, that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb.

 

7.13    ARB 07-198, 1512 Arizona Avenue: Commercial

Approval of Sign Program, Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Anthony Hall was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board verified the proposed sign area, and stated that the proposed signage does not demonstrate a hardship for increased sign area; however, a sign adjustment for upper level signage due to the large amount of window area and the tower element of the building is warranted.  The Board also stated that the proposed upper level signage is replacing existing signage.  The Board referred the applicant to work with Staff to determine the sign area and conform to the current Sign Code.

 

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

 

7.14    **ARB 07-199, 1909 Lincoln Boulevard: Commercial

Approval of Sign Program, Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Albert Ghobrial was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the proposed existing signage is appropriate for identifying the type of business, but outside the current Sign Code.

 

The Board concurred that the existing signage should be brought into compliance with the current Sign Code and reduce the size of the existing sign.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the project with staff conditions that was seconded by Board member Charles.

 

8.         DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.

 

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

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

b.         Discussion of potential recommendations for review and approval of solar energy projects in conjunction with the Solar Santa Monica project.

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS: Public input permitted.

 

10.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  Board member Mimieux referred temporary sale signs one door south of 1909 Lincoln Boulevard.  Chairperson Folonis referred over signage at car dealerships on the north west corner of Lincoln and Navy, and Ozone and Navy.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Chairperson Folonis made the motion to adjourn at 10:30 p.m. that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb.

 

 

 

 

MB

07-27-07