REGULAR CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Monday, March 17, 2003
MEETING LOCATION3:00 p.m.
Suite 70, Conference Room
25 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco 94102
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Set 240, during regular business hours.
Minutes
The meeting commenced at 3:05 p.m.
- Role Call:
Commissioners present: William Meyer, Rod Freebairn-Smith, Barbara Stauffacher-Solomon
Commissioners absent: Stanlee Gatti, Andrea Cochran
Staff present: Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor
- Moscone Convention Center Roof Photovoltaic Program
Phase 3
Motion to approve Moscone Convention Center Roof Photovoltaic Program Phase 3: Stauffacher-Solomon
Vote: Unanimous
- Octavia Boulevard Improvement Project
Phase 3
Motion to approve Octavia Boulevard Improvement Project Phase 3 contingent upon review of plant selection by commissioner Cochran: Meyer
Vote: Unanimous
- Hayes Green
Phase 2
John Thomas, landscape architect, DPW BOE, Landscape Division, explained that there were two primary design intentions:
1. The design for the Green should relate to the overall Octavia Boulevard project in terms of plant specifications and materiality.
2. The Green should convey both a civic stature and neighborhood quality.
Mr. Thomas described the major design features. At the northern end of the Green would be a hardscaped public gathering area with seating. The southern end would mark the terminus of Octavia boulevard. A large geodesic play structure would also be located at this end of the site. The center of the site would be the location of some type of monument or tribute to the history of the site, which could also serve as a location for a public art piece. Mr. Thomas explained that the eastern and western edges would have similar planting as the median along Octavia Boulevard. He stated that there would also be seating along these edges. At the western end, there will be a berm which runs the length of the park and will integrate seating elements. The berm edge is in response to an existing utility pipe located directly below ground.
Mr. Thomas listed the major tree species being used: Ginko, Flowering Cherry, Chinese Wild Palm. He stated that at the northern end of the site there would be a large specimen tree that would mark the public gathering area. The short list of possible species for this location include: Plain Tree, California Sycamore, Magnolia, Brazilian Pepper or Beech.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked if community input regarding the program for the Green had been incorporated into the design. He also asked if the proposed tree species would help mitigate wind penetration into the site. Mr. Freebairn-Smith asked why pimarily deciduous trees were selected
Mr. Thomas responded that the community response to the design had been positive. He explained that the orientation of the site already minimizes the presence of wind in the park. The existing buildings along the eastern and western edges will mitigate most of the wind transmission. Mr. Thomas stated that the trees were selected to maximize the light transmission to the existing buildings during the winter.
Commissioner Meyer stated that the palm trees in the middle of the site was extremely distracting and weakened the overall design. He commented that the change in ground material and the potential art piece would effectively mark the center of the site and connect the park visually to the adjacent street.
Motion to approve Hayes Green Phase 2 contingent upon review of plant selection by commissioner Cochran and relocation of proposed trees and vertical elements to the eastern and western edges of the site, minimum of 2' from pedestrian walkways: Meyer
Vote: Unanimous
- Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.