City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

Civic Design Review Committee - December 15, 2014 - Meeting Minutes

Civic Design Review Committee - December 15, 2014

MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, December 15, 2014
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes
 

Committee Chair Cass Calder Smith called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m.

  1. Roll Call
    Commissioners Present
    Cass Calder Smith, Chair
    Dorka Keehn
    Kimberlee Stryker
    Kathrin Moore, ex officio
     
    Commissioners Absent
    Roberto Ordeñana
     
    Staff Present
    Jill Manton, Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
    Tom DeCaigny, Director of Cultural Affairs
     
  2. Public Comment
    There was no public comment.
     
  3. Westside Recycled Water Treatment Plant Project: Phase 2
    Michael Pierron, Project Designer, Architect, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works

    Barbara Palacios, Project Manager, Public Utilities Commission

    Edward Chin, Project Landscape Architect, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works


     
    The team presented the project, including a review of their material selections, revisions based on the last Civic Design Review, and new landscape treatments.
     
    The Committee agreed with the simplified material palette and landscaping plan. Due to the climate, the detailing on the channel glass was of particular concern, and the Committee encouraged bringing in a waterproofing consultant to consult on potential rust issues. The Committee also discussed the relevance of, and audience for, a proposed bas-relief architectural enhancement along the alley walkway. The Committee requested more structural details at Phase 3 review, and recommended an informal review before Phase 3 review.
     
    There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Westside Recycled Water Treatment Plant project, with Phase 3 to reflect a greater level of detail regarding the operational windows, waterproofing and main entry.
     
  4. Golden Gate Recycled Water Pump Station and Reservoir Project: Phase 2
    Michael Pierron, Project Designer, Architect, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works

    Barbara Palacios, Project Manager, Public Utilities Commission

    Edward Chin, Landscape Architect Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works


     
    The team presented the project, reviewing the elements presented to this Committee in its prior review, and discussing design changes since then. The design follows the current materials palette and structural aesthetics.
     
    The Committee thought the building was appropriate for a utilitarian structure, with form following function.
     
    There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Golden Gate Recycled Water Pump Station and Reservoir project.
     
  5. Treasure Island Streetscape: Conceptual Review
    Pamela Conrad, Project Manager, CMG
    
Kevin Conger, Project Manager, CMG
    
Bob Beck, Project Manager, Treasure Island Development Authority
     
    The team presented their plan for the Treasure Island Streetscape, for which they expect to seek approval in January 2015. If approved, the plan will then be reviewed by the Treasure Island Development Authority (“TIDA”) board. The presentation included pedestrian-focused promenades with colorful native plantings, a system of pocket parks to encourage outdoor gatherings, and windrow trees to reduce wind speed on the island. Flush streets encouraging mixed use (pedestrian, bicycle and auto traffic) will be implemented on selected streets. Through coordination with local transit authorities, the team aims to create a pedestrian-focused community. The streets are owned by the Department of Public Works and will meet their paving standards, but enhanced paving areas are also part of the streetscape plan.
     
    The Committee clarified that projects of this scope may require more than the traditional three phases of review. The team concurred, but were concerned that with the level of detail involved, regular meetings for each subphase could be taxing and repetitive. They said that the current streetscape master plan as presented is analogous to a Phase 1 presentation. If approved by the Committee, the project will be reviewed by TIDA prior to moving into the next phase. The team will request further review from this Committee for major subphases moving forward. The Committee recommended that they work with Ms. Manton to set up milestone reviews.
     
    The Committee asked about seawalls, which were not illustrated on the master plan presented at this meeting. The team explained that they are addressing this question as part of the Treasure Island Master Plan, which they expect to present at a later date. The Committee also expressed concern about the lifespan of tall trees in the windrow because of the high salinity of the groundwater. The team explained that there is freshwater held in by seawater around the island, and they are working with a soils expert to ensure high quality landscapes. The Committee asked for more information in the next review phase. The Committee also touched on lighting, outdoor seating, art placement and stormwater management and drainage plans.
     
    There was no public comment, and there was no motion.
     
  6. Treasure Island Water Tanks: Informal Review
    This project was not reviewed.
     
  7. Office of the County Medical Examiner: Phases 2 and 3
    Jack Dybas, Project Designer, KMD Architects
    
Magdalena Ryor, Project Manager, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
    
Ryan Stevens, Project Architect, KMD Architects
     
    
The team presented the project, including revisions to the building and surrounding landscape. Materials, palette and landscape plan were simplified in response to the Committee’s comments from Phase 1 review.
     
    The Committee discussed the barbed wire along the fence, suggesting possible solutions to minimize its aesthetic impact. The Committee discussed possible additions to the landscape, including improvements to the seating area and a better integration of the landscape into the overall design. The team explained that the landscape plan includes a piece of public art, which has not been designed yet. Commissioner Keehn noted that finalists have been selected, so the artwork is forthcoming.
     
    There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
    Motion to approve Phases 2 and 3 of the Office of the County Medical Examiner contingent upon (1) improving the corner landscaping after public art is finalized; (2) bringing one more tree forward in the landscape plan; (3) improving the seating design; (4) placing the barbed wire along the inside of the security fence; (5) increasing the height of the row of planting adjacent to the parking lot; (6) approaching the landscaping more as a garden.
     
  8. Southeast Plant Building 522 (521A) Electrical/HPU Building: Phase 2
    Kent Ford, Project Architect and Designer, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
    
 
    
Mr. Ford presented the project, including a review of changes based on comments from the Committee in its previous review. The current design uses more efficient daylighting devices to reduce heat transfer, and finish solutions included terra cotta and composite wood alternative options. Landscaping for the area is minimal because this building will be unoccupied, sited within a larger campus, and will not be visible to the public.
    
 
    
The Committee discussed the benefits of various cladding finishes, and agreed the terra cotta would be a viable solution for the site. They requested three color samples prior to Phase 3 review. The Committee also discussed unifying the color finishes on the aluminum elements on the entry, louvers and rollup areas.
    
 
    
There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Southeast Plan Building 522 (521A) Electrical/HPU Building contingent upon (1) selection of the terra cotta exterior; (2) presentation of three color samples prior to Phase 3 review; (3) layout of all site elements; (4) selection of a dark bronze, black, or gray aluminum finish to unify the entry, louvers and rollup elements.
     
  9. Visual Arts Committee Update
    Commissioner Keehn made no report, and there was no public comment.
     
  10. New Business and Announcements
    There was no new business or announcements, and no public comment.
     
  11. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
     

    spr revised 12/31/14
    spr posted 12/24/14
    approved 1/5/15
     

    Language Accessibility

    Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2585, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

    我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2585, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

    Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2585, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

    Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2585, jill.manton@sfgov.org.