REGULAR CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

Monday, March 17, 2003


MEETING LOCATION

3:00 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.

  1. Role Call:

    Commissioners present: William Meyer, Rod Freebairn-Smith, Barbara Stauffacher-Solomon

    Commissioners absent: Stanlee Gatti, Andrea Cochran

    Staff present: Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor

  2. Moscone Convention Center Roof Photovoltaic Program
    Phase 3


    Motion to approve Moscone Convention Center Roof Photovoltaic Program Phase 3: Stauffacher-Solomon
    Vote:
    Unanimous

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Adjournment

    Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.