32:

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, June 16, 2008

City Council Chambers, Room 213

7:00 P.M.

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m.

 

2.         ROLL CALL:               Present:       Michael Folonis, Chairperson

Lynn Robb, Vice-Chairperson

William Adams

John Ellis

Tania Fischer

Maegan Winning

 

                                          Also Present:       Eileen Fogarty, Planning Director

Bruce Leach, Special Projects Administrator

Steve Traeger, Urban Designer

Scott Albright, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

Absent:        Edouard Mimieux

 

3.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

·                    The next meetings of the Architectural Review Board will be Regular Meetings on Monday, July 7, 2008 and July 21, 2008 both in the Council Chambers;

·                    Item 9.3, 08-ARB-118, 749 Seventeenth Street has been continued by Staff prior to the meeting;

·                    Item 9.6, 08-ARB-225, 1243 Franklin Street, additional revised renderings have been provided prior to the meeting for each Board member and placed at the dias;

·                    Item 9.7, 08-ARB-124, 606 Broadway, additional revised renderings have been provided prior to the meeting for each Board member and placed at the dias.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  None.

 

Chairperson Folonis informed the Board that the applicants of Item 08-ARB-165, 1761 Sunset Avenue, have requested to move this Item prior to Item 8.6, Presentation by Strategic and Community Planning Staff, and Board discussion and comment on the Land Use and Circulation Element Strategy Framework.

 

Board member Fischer made the motion to move the Consent Calendar to be placed in front of Item #6 that was seconded by Board member Adams and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

5.         APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFIAL ACTION:

ACTION:  APPROVED WITH REVISED CONDITIONS TO ITEM 5a

 

Scott Albright informed the Board that review of these Statements of Official Action is to clarify the Board’s intent and conditions of approval relatiave to its action on each case.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Statements of Official Actions for Item 5a, 06-ARB-400, 210-214 Santa Monica Boulevard, with revised conditions, Item 8b 07-ARB-219, 2024 Third Street, approved as submitted, and Item 8c 08-ARB051, 1221 Ocean Avenue, approved as submitted, that was seconded by Vice President Robb and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

            a.         06-ARB-400, 210-214 Santa Monica Boulevard

                        ACTION:  APPROVED WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

            b.         07-ARB-219, 2024 Third Street

                        ACTION:  APPROVED AS SUBMITTED

c.                  08-ARB051, 1221 Ocean Avenue

            ACTION:  APPROVED AS SUBMITTED

 

6.         PRESENTATION BY STRATEGIC AND COMMUNITY PLANNING STAFF, AND BOARD DISUSSION AND COMMENT ON THE LAND USE AND CIRCULATION ELEMENT STRATEGY FRAMEWORK.

 

Planning Director, Eileen Fogarty gave an overview of the Land Use and Circulation element Strategy Framework, outlining traffic reduction, workforce and affordable housing, increased urban design, and a proactive review process to ensure community involvement and conformance with the plan to meet the expectation of the community.  Ms Fogarty solicited comments and input from the Board.

 

One chit was submitted, Ron Goldman.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to support the Strategic Framework of the Land Use and Circulation Element draft that was seconded by Board member Adams and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

8.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:  Board member Adams had a conversation with Item 9.6, 08-ARB-225, 1243 Franklin Street.  Chairperson Folonis drove by Item 9.7, 08-ARB-124, 606 Broadway and 9.8, 08-ARB-178, 1415 Fourth Street.

9.         REVIEWS: Public input permitted.

 

            A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to remove Item 9.1, 08-ARB-165, 1761 Sunset Avenue from the Consent Calendar to the Regular Calendar that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the revised Consent Calendar that was seconded by Board member Fischer and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

a.         Resubmissions: 

 

b.         New Submissions:

 

9.1       **ARB 08-165, 1761 Sunset Avenue: Single-Family

Approval of Building Design

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Lance Simon was present to discuss the project.

 

Two chits were submitted, Fernando Reynaga and Allen Davis.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board member concurred that the proposed project is sensitive to the existing neighborhood, contemporary, with an appropriate palate of materials.  The Board stated that the applicant has the right to develop their property with a reasonable design and the Board had no purview over parking and the right of construction; however, the Board stated that there is an ordinance regarding hedges and fences and asked the applicant to comply with the current City Code and to be neighborhood friendly.

 

Vice-Chairperson Robb made the motion to approve the project with staff conditions that was seconded by Board member Fischer and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

 

9.2       **ARB 08-196, 1812 Stanford Street: Pre-School

Approval of Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

b.         REGULAR CALENDAR

 

a.         Resubmissions:  None

 

b.         New Submissions:

 

9.3       **ARB 08-118, 749 Seventeenth Street: Senior Group Housing

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION: CONTINUED BY STAFF PRIOR TO THE MEETING

 

 

9.4       **ARB 08-181, 908 Fifth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Sid Khajavi and Marjeheh Megtararchiterra were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the proposed project is consistent with the Spanish Colonial Revival design and pedestrian oriented with quality materials; however, the Board expressed concern with the maintenance of the upper level urn planters, the colored stone along the base of the building on the north elevation, and the heaviness of the chimney top design.

 

Board member Ellis made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

 

 

9.5       **ARB 08-187, 1433 Fourteenth Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors, Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS           

 

Ron Goldman and Giovani Ulio were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members stated that the applicant has responded to the concerns of the Planning Commission, the project is sensitively composed, nicely scaled and proportioned; however, the Board expressed concern with the maintenance of the upper level planters, and the depth of the recessed windows,

 

The Board verified with the applicant that the stucco finish will be smooth steel trowel, the landscape plants will be revised to limit the use of planters and planter height, the Bamboo Oldhamii will be replaced with alternate plants, and the paving materials will be a cobblestone pavers and not grass.

 

A friendly suggestion was made to cove the ceiling of the passageway to make the area feel more connected to the design of the building.

 

Vice-Chairperson Robb made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Board member Fischer and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

9.6             ARB 08-225, 1243 Franklin Street: Multi-Residential

Approval of Modifications to an approved Building Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Victor Corona was present to discuss the project and requested three additional minutes of presentation time.

 

Board member Fischer made the motion to extend the presentation time to five minutes that was seconded by Board member Ellis.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board asked the applicant to demonstrate the hardship in their request for approval of modifications to a previously approved building design, colors and materials, as the previous approval had a clear intent with details that authenticated the Spanish Revival Style design.  The Board stated that the fenestration and openings are lacking the details of the previous approval.

 

The Board directed the applicant back to Staff to guide the applicant of what is necessary to return this project back to the previously approved project.

 

The Board stated that the side elevations have been altered significantly and there are very significant differences between the previously approved project and what has been completed.   The Board also stated that these alterations simplified the original design and may have been done for economic reasons and does not capture the design intent of the original approval.

 

Mr. Corona asked for a continuance.

 

Board member Adams made the motion to continue the project that was seconded by Board member Winning and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

9.7       ARB 08-124, 606 Broadway: Mixed-Use

Approval of Modifications to an approved Building Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS

 

John O’Conner and Pamela Burton were present to discuss the project and requested four additional minutes of presentation time.

 

 

Board member Ellis made the motion to extend the presentation time to seven minutes that was seconded by Board member Fischer.

 

Additionally, the applicant request another four minutes of presentation time that was motioned by Board member Ellis and seconded by Board member Fischer.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the removal of the solar energy design component are due to a hardship as the applicant does not have the necessary access to install or maintain the equipment.  The Board commended the applicant for successfully investigating an energy effective creative alternate design concept.  The Board verified with the applicant that proposed “green” wall would require maintenance and will condition the project for a scheduled maintenance program.

 

The Board also stated that the proposed changes were generated out of occurrences during construction and the resultant project is very different than the previously approved project.  There are a variety of reasons that have been responded to by the applicant to improve the project.  The glass railings for the retail site respond appropriately and enhance pedestrian orientation for the scale of the project and the applicant has come to the Board for changes with authorization.

 

Board member Fischer made the motion to approve the project with revised findings that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

9.8       ARB 08-178, 1415 Fourth Street: Commercial

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

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Bud Culp was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

Board members concurred that the project is a good addition to Fourth Street with classic forms and clean lines that are signature of the Pottery Barn, but expressed concern regarding the foam crown moldings on the front façade and the size of the projecting sign.  Overall, the Board stated that the proposed project compatible with the existing neighborhood and well integrated with the proposed design.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by roll call vote 6-0.

 

9.9       ARB 08-063, 1426 Montana Avenue: Commercial

Approval of Sign Plans and Sign Adjustments

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS

 

Dave Mahn was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Many Board members concurred that there are exceptional circumstances of conditions unique to the property that provide a hardship for adequate business identification, and warrant a sign adjustment; however, many Board members expressed concern regarding the upper level window signage, and the total sign area of the three business identification signs.

 

The Board discussed the location of the front entrance of the project since as it is located on a corner site of Montana and Fifteenth Street and positioned on the second story, although the parking entrance is on Montana.

 

The Board stated that the proposed upper level window vinyl signs are not approved and will be removed and conditioned the upper level signage to be placed above the window on the far left hand side.

 

Vice-Chairperson Robb made the motion to approve the project with revised findings that was seconded by Board member Ellis and approved by roll call vote 4-2.

 

Chairperson Folonis and Board member Fischer did not support the motion.

 

10.       DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.

 

a.         Discussion of the possibility of exploring an “Award of Excellence” for architecture.

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

 

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

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Vice-Chairperson Folonis, Vice-Chairperson Robb, and Board member Winning will form a subcommittee to respond to the requests for comments from the Planning Director.

 

d.         Discussion of upcoming meeting schedule.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Board member Ellis will be out of town and not available for the July 7 and August 4 meetings.  Board member Adams will be on vacation in July and August.

 

e.         Acknowledgements to Board member Fischer

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

The Board commended Board member Fischer for her artistic sensibility and her contributions to the Board.

 

11.       FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  Chairperson Folonis would like to incorporate under Referrals To Staff status reports of previously referred items at each meeting.

 

The Board agendized a discussion to review the language of the Statement of Official Action to include a reference regarding changes made to approved projects or incorporate a statement into the Agenda to be read prior to the meeting.

 

12.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  Chairperson Folonis referred 2640 Lincoln          Boulevard, The Legal Grind for possible illegal signage.

13.       ADJOURNMENT:  Board member Fischer made the motion to adjourn at 11:22 p.m. that was seconded by Chairperson Folonis approved by voice vote.

 

 

MB

06-30-08