32:

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

 

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 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 7:02 p.m.

 

2.         ROLL CALL:               Present:      Michael Folonis, Chairperson

William Adams

John Ellis

Edouard Mimieux (arrival 7:10 p.m.)

Lynn Robb

Maegan Winning

 

                                          Also Present:      Steve Traeger, Principal Urban Designer

Laura Beck, Associate Planner

Margaret Bell, Staff Assistant

 

Absent:                Amy Rothman

 

3.         SECRETARY’S REPORT:

·                     The next meeting of the Architectural Review Board will be a Regular Meeting on Monday April 20, 2009;

·                     Laura Beck stated that the Boards and Commission Dinner on March 30, 2009 was a success and thanked Board members for their participation and attendance.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

a.         March 16, 2009

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the Minutes with one correction.  Board member Ellis seconded the motion that was approved by roll call vote 5-0.

ACTION:  APPROVED WITH CORRECTION to page 5 paragraph 1 to read, “Vice-Chairperson Robb referred the American Apparel Store on Main Street for window signage and also signage at 2901 Ocean Park Boulevard at the entry way to the Business Park.”

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARING AND INPUT:  None.

 

6.         EX PARTE COMMUNICATION:  Chairperson Folonis met with the developer for Item 7.5, 09-ARB-120, 395 Santa Monica Place, on January 30, 2009 and also had a conference call with their architect.

 

7.         REVIEWS:

 

A.        CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to move item 7.6, 09-ARB -137, 395 Santa Monica Place to the Consent Calendar that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by roll call vote 5-0.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the revised Consent Calendar that was seconded by Board member Ellis and approved by roll call vote 5-0.

 

a.         Resubmissions:  None.

 

b.         New Submissions:

 

7.1         ARB09-074, 3030 Olympic Boulevard:  Commercial

Approval of Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans for The Recording Academy

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

B.        REGULAR CALENDAR

 

a.            Resubmissions:  None.

 

b.            New Submissions:

 

7.2       ARB08-504, 3301 Exposition Boulevard: Commercial

Approval of Sign Adjustment and Sign Plans for Beachbody

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

Rick Denman was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board members supported their previous decision from February 25, 2009 reiterating that this proposal does not state a clear hardship and does not warrant a sign adjustment for upper level wall signs.  Board members supported the Staff Report to modify the existing monument sign to include tenant signage since it is keeping with the original sign adjustment approval for the monument sign.

 

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

 

7.3       ARB07-109, 1319 Centinela Avenue:  Multi-family Residential

Approval of Design, Colors and Materials for new 6 unit Condominium

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Bijan Azadi was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board member expressed concern regarding the design elements and building forms, stating that the project lacked an overall architectural style.  The Board also expressed concern regarding the massing, the disjunctive and unresolved repetitive roofline, the awkward proportion of the stair towers, the inconsistent windows styles, the unarticulated entry ways, and the cast concrete detailing around the building that separates the upper from the lower floors that is visually problematic.  The Board suggested that the building could benefit from places where the color extends vertically rather than bifurcated with the cast concrete and the continuous solid side walls could gain relief from the solidness with cut-aways and landscaping.  The Board stated that the trellis detailing on the west elevation is a positive contribution that could be integrated on the other elevations.

 

The Board referred the applicant to work with staff and recommended that any future submittal contain a material board.

 

Mr. Azadi asked for a continuance.

 

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

7.4       ARB09-063, 1415 Centinela Avenue:  Multi-family Residential

Approval of Design, Colors and Materials for Remodel and Addition to Existing 4-unit Apartment Building

ACTION:  CONTINUED AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST

 

Michael Braum was present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Board member verified with staff that the proposed project is an exterior remodel to an existing multi-residential building and the construction of a second story addition and conforming to current City Code.  The Board verified that the project is not considered a substantial remodel at this time.

 

The Board concurred that proposed project is well integrated to the existing property, the styles are similar, and the design is simple and clean.  The Board also stated that the elevations are not too dense; however, the Board expressed concern with the blank wall that runs the length of the property, and suggested integrating landscaping to soften the walls, and suggested that the door selection and placement is inconsistent with the style of the building, and the front balcony that is not integrated into the building.  The Board also expressed concern with the proposed lighting, clarity of the color selection, and the articulation of the front façade.

 

The Board directed the applicant to work with staff to clearly identify the color placement and refine the design elements of the second floor and first floor transition, and to pay particular attention to the doors, lighting and colors.

 

Mr. Braum asked for a continuance.

 

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

 

 

 

7.5       ARB09-120, 395 Santa Monica Place:  Retail

Approval of Design, colors and materials and Sign adjustment and sign Plans for Nike

ACTION:  APPROVED ON THE REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Robert Thompson and Tomomi Marzan were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

The Board clarified with staff that the upper level glass walls with shoe products is merchandising and not signage and the lower level wall signage is within the allow sign area.

 

The Board stated that walls of shoes are interactive and add to the aesthetic value of the proposed building and create a fun environment.  The Board also stated that the proposed architecture and the proportions and elegance of this project are beautiful and the vertical and horizontal elements are well defined.  However; the Board concurred that there are not any exceptional circumstances that would warrant a sign adjustment for upper level signage of the “swoosh” emblem logo.  The Board also stated that the selection of materials support the design integrity and the proposed project is such a remarkable design and sets a high level of standard for the new mall.

 

The Board referred the applicant to work with staff to submit detail drawings including connection details for all of the exterior finish and structural materials.

 

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.

 

7.6       ARB09-137, 395 Santa Monica Place:  Retail

Approval of Design, Colors and Materials and Sign Plans for Michael Kors

ACTION:  APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR WITH STAFF CONDITIONS

 

 

7.7       ARB 09-123, 3202 Wilshire Boulevard:  Retail

Approval of Sign Plans for CVS

ACTION:  APPROVED ON REGULAR CALENDAR WITH REVISED CONDITIONS

 

Chris Polster and Don (from Icon Identity Solutions) were present to discuss the project.

 

Chairperson Folonis closed the public hearing.

 

Many Board members stated that the proposed signage is well designed and meets current City code and many Board members supported the proposed signage since it complies with the existing sign code requirements.

 

Chairperson Folonis made the motion to approve the project with revised conditions that was seconded by Board member Winning and approved by roll call vote 5-0.

 

Board member Mimieux did not support the motion.

 

8.         DISCUSSION:  Public input permitted.

 

a.            Discussion of design styles and existing and potential Design Guidelines. (JE)

ACTION  DISCUSSION HELD

 

A discussion was held examining the Ocean Park Neighborhood Development Guidelines as an example and the Board discussed the difference between guidelines and standards.  The Board discussed the four styles of architecture outlined in the Ocean Park Neighborhood Development Guidelines; Mission, Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman, International and concurred that their purview was to encourage creativity with design, colors, landscaping, and materials while adhering to scale, mass, proportion, and neighborhood context.  The Board decided to retain this item on future agendas for further discussion.

 

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

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

c.            Update on the proposed revisions to the Solar Ordinance.

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

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

ACTION:  NO ACTION TAKEN

 

9.         FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS:  None.

 

10.       REFERRALS TO STAFF:  None.

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT:  Chairperson Folonis made the motion to adjourn at 9: 51 p.m. that was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Robb and approved by voice vote.

 

 

MB

04-14-09