32:

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009

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 (arrival 7:05 p.m.)

Edouard Mimieux

Lynn Robb

Amy Rothman

 

                                          Also Present:       Gerda Newbold, Planning Commissioner

Steve Traeger, Principal Urban Designer

Scott Albright, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

Absent:        Maegan Winning

 

3.         ELECTION OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON

ACTION:  CONTINUED UNTIL A FULL BOARD IS PRESENT

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to move the election to the end of the meeting pending the attendance of a full board, that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by voice vote.

 

4.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

·                    The next meetings of the Architectural Review Board will be a Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, and a Regular Meeting on February 2, 2009, both in the Council Chambers.

 

5.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

            a.         December 15, 2008

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Minutes as submitted that was seconded by Board member Mimieux and approved by voice vote.

 

6.         PUBLIC HEARING AND INPUT:  None.

 

7.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:   Chairperson Folonis and Board member Adams had a previous teacher/student association with the applicant for Item 8.2, 08-ARB-454, 1518 Eleventh Street, but have not discussed this project with the with the applicant.

 

8.         REVIEWS:

 

A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

 

a.         Resubmissions:  None.

 

b.         New Submissions:  None

 

B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

a.                  Resubmissions:

 

8.1       ARB 08-070, 1171 Franklin Avenue:  Multi-Residential

Approval of Building Design, Colors Materials and Landscape Plans

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Kevin Kelly and Durrell Hensley were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board stated that the applicant has responded to the previous comments of the Board in design modifications and removed the symmetry and repetitiveness on the building elevations; however, the Board expressed concern regarding compliance with the development standards, and that when addressed, could result in significant changes to the project’s design.  The Board stated concern regarding the handicap lift accessibility and exit, the appearance of a three story building, the sundecks on the mezzanine level in excess of the flat roof limit, the angle of the first pitched roof, and the height of the stair risers  The Board also stated that the building roofline provided little variation.

 

The Board advised the applicant to work with Staff and define the Spanish Colonial style, revisit the front facade and lack of pedestrian orientation, and bring the project into complete compliance of existing City guidelines.

 

Mr. Kelly asked for a continuance.

 

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

 

b.         New Submissions:

 

8.2       *ARB 08-454, 1518 Eleventh Street:  Multi-Residential

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

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Matt Loghmani was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board stated that the proposed project is composed of quality materials, with appropriate massing and scale that are compatible with the existing neighborhood; but expressed concern with the vertical element, and the lack of pedestrian orientation.  The Board also expressed concern regarding the handicap lift and the development of the affordable unit.

 

The Board stated that any future submittal should contain better renderings, including planting materials and landscaping, a material board with colors, and textures demonstrated, and the examination of possible photovoltaic options.

 

Mr. Loghmani asked for a continuance.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to continue the project that was seconded by Board member Ellis and continued by roll call vote 6-0.

 

 

 

 

8.3       ARB 08-513, 3300 Olympic Boulevard:  Commercial

Approval of Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Roy Courtney was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board noted that the request is for three wall signs and one monument ground sign.  The Board verified with Staff that the requested sign area is below the total allowable square footage and that the sign adjustments are to allow more than one monument sign; allow more than two-thirds of total sign area to face one street; and, to allow an individual sign to be more than 100 square feet in area.  The signs were noted as being simple of design and composed of quality materials.  The Board expressed concern with the request to allow a single sign to exceed one hundred square feet; however, it was further noted that the long building frontage along Olympic Boulevard was atypical which supports the request to allow more than two-thirds of sign area to front along this street.  In addition, the board noted that the existing ground sign was only directional in function which supports the request for a second ground sign.  The Board directed the applicant to work with Staff to revise the sign plans showing that no single sign shall exceed 100 square feet in area.

 

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

 

9.         DISCUSSION: Public input permitted.

 

a.         Discussion on the proposed “City of Santa Monica Design Awards” program.

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

b.         Update of the proposed revisions to the Solar Ordinance.

ACTION: NO ACTION TAKEN

 

c.         Discussion of potential recommendations for the update to the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE).

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

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

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

e.         Discussion on Boardmember availability for a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on Wednesday, January 21, 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 21, 2008.  Staff will keep the Board informed of the final date.

 

Board member Mimieux stated that he will be out of town and not available for the Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission.

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  None.

 

10.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  Chairperson Folonis requested an updated list of referrals from Staff.  Vice-Chairperson Robb referred the Shell Station at Pico and Lincoln Boulevards that now provides the services of a yogurt shop.  Chairperson Folonis referred possible illegal signage at 1700 Ocean Park Boulevard, and the bookstore at the northeast corner of Twentieth Street and Broadway.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Chairperson Folonis made the motion to adjourn at 8:52 p.m. that was seconded by Board member Mimieux and approved by voice vote.

 

 

MB

01-12-09