32:

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, December 15, 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 7:03 p.m.

 

2.         ROLL CALL:               Present:       Michael Folonis, Chairperson

William Adams

John Ellis

Edouard Mimieux (arrival 7:07 p.m.)

Lynn Robb

Amy Rothman

Maegan Winning

 

                                          Also Present:       Steve Traeger, Principal Urban Designer

Scott Albright, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

3.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

·                    The next meetings of the Architectural Review Board will be a Regular Meetings on Monday January 5, 2009 and a Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, both in the Council Chambers;

·                    The applicant for Item 7.4, 08-ARB-504, 3301 Exposition Boulevard, provided additional information at the time of the meeting.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

            a.         November 17, 2008

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Minutes as submitted that was seconded by Board member Adams and approved by voice vote 6-0.  Board member Mimieux was not present at the time the item was called.

 

            b.         December 1, 2008

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Minutes as submitted that was seconded by Board member Adams and approved by voice vote 6-0.  Board member Mimieux was not present at the time the item was called.

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARING AND INPUT:  None.

 

6.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:   Chairperson Folonis visited the sites for Items, 7.1, 08-ARB-284, 1828 Lincoln Boulevard, and Item 7.3, 08-ARB-456, 219 Arizona Avenue.

 

7.         REVIEWS:

 

A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

 

a.         Resubmissions:  None.

 

b.         New Submissions:  None

 

B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

a.                  Resubmissions:  None.

 

b.         New Submissions:

 

7.1       **ARB 08-284, 1828 Lincoln Boulevard: Commercial

Approval of Building Façade Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

David Chun was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board concurred that the proposed project is a modest improvement over the existing conditions, opens the structure to the street, and enhances the pedestrian orientation along Lincoln Boulevard.  The Board also stated that the materials and colors are well composed; however, the Board expressed concern with the design of the rooftop equipment screens and referred the applicant to work with Staff to better incorporate them within the overall façade design.  The Board also stated that there is a missed opportunity to incorporate vine plantings on the rear elevations.

 

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 7-0.

 

 

7.2       **ARB 08-501, 3250 Olympic Boulevard: Commercial Self-Storage

Approval of Building Façade Design, Colors and Materials

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Rich Milstead was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board verified with Staff that signage will return to the Board at a later date for review.

 

The Board stated that the proposed exterior façade remodel to a self storage facility is an improvement to the existing structure with new materials and colors that break up the long expanses of concrete block; however, the Board expressed concern with the yellow and red color palate combination and the “safe” element with a faux metallic latch and combination dial knob that are not detailed in the proposal and not incorporated into the building design.  The Board made the suggestion to incorporate some green vine elements to enhance the red and color palate.

 

The Board referred the applicant to work with Staff to revise the north elevation of the building design to be more compatible with the changes proposed on the west elevation.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to support the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Board member Mimieux and approved by roll call vote 7-0.

 

7.3       ARB 08-456, 219 Arizona Avenue: Commercial

Approval of Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Ralph Mechur was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

 

The Board concurred that the proposed signs are well composed and of quality materials; however, the Board expressed concern regarding the total sign area exceeding the maximum allowed by code for a specific tenant.  The Board also stated their support of the proposed decorative banners stating that are not signage but add interest to the façade and balance to the existing structure and do not advertise any activity or service of the business.

 

The Board expressed concern with the images on the awnings being interpreted as signage and referred the applicant to work with Staff to sufficiently abstract the awning images so they will not be considered as signage.

 

The Board also referred the applicant to work with Staff to bring the total sign area into compliance with current City Code as no hardship is demonstrated at this time.

 

Vice-Chairperson Robb made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Chairperson Folonis and approved by roll call vote 7-0.

 

7.4       ARB 08-504, 3301 Exposition Boulevard: Commercial/Office

Approval of Sign Adjustment, Sign Program and Sign Plans

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Rick Denman was present to discuss the project and requested two minutes of additional of presentation time.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members concurred that the sign is well designed and a good addition to an existing building, but no hardship is demonstrated and there are no exceptional circumstances that justify the placement of the proposed upper level signs.  The existing foliage, specifically the pepper trees, do not demonstrate a hardship and the building offers other opportunities for signage.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to continue the project that was seconded by Board member Mimieux and continued by roll call vote 7-0.

 

8.         DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.

a.         Discussion on the proposed “Award of Excellence” program for architecture.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Vice-Chairperson Robb distributed documents to the Board to outline the discussion of the Board from the December 1, 2008 meeting.  The recrafted Mission Statement was presented, a summary of the categories, the responsibilities, makeup, and selection of the jury, the time frame eligibility to receive an award, and the name of the award process to identify the City of Santa Monica was discussed.  Vice-Chairperson Robb stated that the subcommittee will meet again in January, identify some of the mechanics of the process, and update the Board of their progress.  The subcommittee invited the Board to contribute their thoughts to the process.

 

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

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Staff informed the Board that the Solar Santa Monica Project will be agendized to the City Council in January of 2009.  Staff will keep the Board informed of future dates.

 

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

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Chairperson Folonis opened a discussion regarding affordable housing as it relates to mixed-use projects.  Chairperson Folonis has communicated with the Director of Community Corporation, Joan Ling for her comments.  Chairperson Folonis suggested a subcommittee to research this direction for affordable housing at a later date.

 

d,         Discussion and possible action on differentiating between a sign, mural and super graphic.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Chairperson Folonis suggested a task force to highlight key issue of signage, murals and super graphics.  Staff has been directed to prepare a framework using neighboring cities and their policies and procedures.

 

e.         Discussion and possible action on ARB budget priorities for fiscal year 2009-2010.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Chairperson Folonis directed Staff to compose a comparison of the Planning Commission budget and the Architectural Review Board budget.  The Board raised a concern that funding may be available to attend conferences of related issues.

 

f.          Discussion on Boardmember availability for a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on Wednesday, January 7, 2009.

ACTION:  DISCUSSION HELD

 

Steve Traegar informed that Board that the tentative date for a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss the Bloomingdale’s project is scheduled for January 14, 2008.  Staff will keep the Board informed of the final date.

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  The Board agendized the elections of the Architectural Review Board Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the next meeting.

 

10.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  None.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Chairperson Folonis made the motion to adjourn at 9:26 p.m. that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by voice vote.

 

 

 

MB

12-29-08