Call To Order: 3:05 p.m.
Commissioner Przyblyski introduced Rene Bihan to the Civic Design Review Committee. Commissioner Bihan was appointed to the Landscape Architecture seat and has 20 years of experience with SWA Group, an internationally recognized firm. Commissioner Przyblyski gave an overview of the Civic Design Committee and the three phase review process.
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SFMTA Market Street Safe Zone Project
SFAC staff reported that the plans for the pedestrian safety did not significantly impact the streetscape, and the plans did not include any new or renovated structures.
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Mather Visitor’s Center - Phase 2
Michael Carlin, Assistant General Manager, PUC Water Enterprise, presented revised drawings to the Committee. The revised design responded to the Commissioners comments from Phase 1 approval. The changes include new windows for additional light into the building, a porous roadway bed instead of asphalt, and enhanced ADA access to the building. He explained that the additional windows allow 56% more light than before. The stairs were removed from the front of the building and the restroom is ADA accessible.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Delaney said the Committee appreciated that the revised design responded to questions and comments from the last meeting.
Commissioner Przyblyski said the committee would like the PUC and the project managers to consider using pooled public art funds for this site.
Mr. Carlin agreed and commented that he would like to be able to display work of San Francisco artists possibly with an environmental focus.
Motion to approve Phase 2 Mather Visitor’s Center: Commissioner Hunter.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
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Lake Merced Pump Station Essential Upgrade – Phase 2
Edmund Shum, DPW BOA explained that the current structure is a simple one-story building. The pump station is screened on three sides and is 50 ft below nearby Lake Merced Boulevard. It is only visible from across Lake Merced. Mr. Shum presented a materials board and then introduced John Dennis, Landscape Architect, DPW BOA.
Mr. Dennis explained that there are separate storm and sewer systems because stormwater will flow directly into the lake. The site plan will use above grade planters and vegetation to mitigate pollutants. The vegetation is composed of species that must be able to manage heavy inundation of water and last through drought. The landscape planting will use an extensive native palate that is drought tolerant and low maintenance. Current plans include replacing trees lost in storms last winter.
Mr. Shum said that the existing building will remain in use until the new pump station is functional. The functionality of the old pump station will be split into two buildings: pump building and utility building. The new buildings are one story concrete structures that have increased capacity for additional pumps, and are seismically secure. The design integrats corrugated metal, integral color stucco and painted metal doors, windows, and louver panels. The current building will remain and be used for storage. He then presented the sections and renderings of the buildings.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Bihan and Commissioner Delaney asked about raised planters versus on grade planters.
Mr. Shum explained that there are many utility lines underground, and on grade planters may run into these lines.
Commissioner Pryzyblyski asked how many people will access the area.
Mr. Shum explained that it is an unmanned building.
Commissioner Delaney commented that there should be diversity in the type of trees planted.
Mr. Dennis agreed and said they would include other species.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that because trees can last 80 years, the planting choices should consider climate change.
Commissioner Bihan commented that the site is beautiful, and a picnic table would be great addition.
Motion to approve the Lake Merced Pump Station with the contingency of mixing the species of trees used in the landscape plan: Hunter
Vote: Unanimously approved.
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San Francisco International Airport Secure Connector - Phase 1 and 2
Ray Quesada, Project Manager, San Francisco International Airport explained the pedestrian bridge will allow people to connect to international flights from domestic flights without exiting security. The Commission approved the project with a slightly different design in 2005. The new design is held away from the building due to an underground utility tunnel. He explained that the revised design mimics other design elements of the airport. He presented a materials board with samples of the glass and metal panel. Mr. Quesada explained that the project has been delayed several times but they hope to be finished by end of the year.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Hunter asked who would be able to see the walkway.
Mr. Quesada responded that the Customs offices and other Federal employee offices were located behind the walkway.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that she liked the new design better and that it looks more clean and contemporary.
Commissioner Delaney commented that the massing troubled her, and the walkway did not reflect the gracefulness of the rest of the airport. She said the connection of the walkway to the building should be rethought.
Commissioner Bihan commented that he also thought the connection of the walkway to the building was awkward and suggested a more functional layout.
Commissioner Hunter commented that those were valid concerns, but there is no real public view or access to the exterior of the building.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that she could see how the massing is strange, but because of the functionality of the walkway and the site constraints she could not see any other way to ease the connection between the irregular forms.
Mr. Quesada explained that because the walkway is competing for space against utility tunnels, boarding areas, and other airport functions, the other options are very limited for how this walkway could be completed.
Commissioner Bihan commented that creating a larger area at the entry of the walkway could reduce the awkward angle and create an inviting interior space.
Mr. Quesada responded that this idea has been explored and would involve additional concrete column supports. The constraints on the ground level prevent this from happening.
Commissioner Delaney commented that she would like to speak with the architect about the building at the next meeting.
Commissioner Przyblyski asked Mr. Quesada to come back to the committee for Phase 1 and 2 with the architect. She asked that they present enough interior information to understand the constraints of the walkway and the articulation of how it connects to the international and domestic terminals.
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Anza Branch Library – Phase 1
Philip Sowers, Project Architect, DPW BOA, gave an overview of the project and explained the changes since the previous Phase 1 review. The Commissioners had requested more glass be used in the design of the elevator tower. He explained that the new construction will not be visible from the street but a landscape plan will make the back of the library a more inviting space.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Hunter commented that the landscaping is a big benefit to the library and would like to see a more developed design.
Commissioner Bihan and Delaney agreed.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that while the Committee requested glass on the elevator tower, they should consider cost and intention with any other suggestions to add to the design. The amenities given to one library would be money taken away from other branches.
Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Anza Branch Library: Hunter
Vote: Unanimously approved
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Merced Branch Library - Phase 1
Paul De Freitas, Project Architect, DPW BOA, introduced the project. The library renovation is of a 1958 Appleton and Wolford design in the Lakeview district across from Stonestown Mall on 19th Ave. The neighborhood is mostly residential with San Francisco State University nearby. Mr. De Freitas explained that the design will focus on preserving the outdoor space in the South Terrace and expanding 1000 sq ft onto the North Terrace. The renovation will increase the children’s area, staff areas, restrooms and seismically upgrade the structure. Changes to the exterior include renovated landscaping and entryway. The addition is scaled low to keep as much light as possible coming into the north wing. The new addition will use brick and glass to tie into the existing structure of the building. A lattice system will break up the brick façade, and an over hang is designed to pull people to the entrance. Mr. De Freitas introduced Bryan Gatter, Landscape Architect, DPW BOA.
Mr. Gatter gave a brief overview of the proposed landscape and explained that they would be replacing much of the dated planting material.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to Public Comment.
Commissioner Hunter commented that there should be more of a statement of entrance.
Commissioner Bihan agreed that the front door is buried and the building needs something that says “enter”. He suggested a trellis system or new planting to make an announcement that there is a path.
Mr. Gatter replied that they will be changing out most of the plants.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that the library doesn’t announce it’s presence to the neighborhood and asked if they had looked into other options for the location of the addition.
Mr. De Freitas explained that they reworked the design many times and this was the best option.
Commissioner Bihan commented that there is a 25 to 40 foot space between the building and the street curb and suggesting taking the landscape design all the way out to the curb.
Commissioner Hunter suggested stepped trellis canopies into the entry.
Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Merced Branch Library with a contingency to address the civic expression of the entry way: Commissioner Przyblyski.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
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Visitacion Valley Branch Library – Phase 1
Andrew Maloney, Project Architect, DPW BOA presented a revised design for the new Visitacion Valley Library. He gave a brief overview of the project. He explained that the revised design took out several arched windows in response to comments that the building didn’t fit the character of the neighborhood.
Commissioner Przyblyski asked if there were any significant changes to the materials.
Mr. Maloney responded that there were not.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened the floor to public comment.
Fran Martinlow of the Visitacion Valley Community Project spoke in favor of the library. She commented that the community has been very involved with the building and likes the previous design.
Tara Hui, a resident of Visitacion Valley spoke in support of the design.
Commissioner Przyblyski closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Delaney clarified that the committee is not opposed to the arched windows but to the large amount of asphalt shingles that will be visible to the neighborhood. She commented that the materials choice is awkward.
Mr. Maloney responded that the structural engineer has designed the building for a tile roof, but the funding is not secure for the roof.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that if the tile is too expensive for the entire roof, then the amount of roof could be reduced to cut back on the cost.
Commissioner Delaney commented that it is a problem that the materials do not reflect the nature of the historic design.
Commissioner Pryzyblski suggested the project team ask their Supervisor, Sophie Maxwell, for additional funds for a tile roof.
Commissioner Przyblyski and Commissioner Bihan commented that the interior spaces were well thought out and seemed like a nice place to be.
Commissioner Hunter said they should put the arches back into the design.
Commisisoner Przyblyski commented that the Committee is relatively comfortable with the massing of the building and fine with arches, but wants to send a strong message that the surfaces and materials must be addressed before Phase 2.
Motion to approve phase 1 of the Visitacion Valley Branch Library with the contingency that the materials and surfaces be more suited to the design of the structure: Commissioner Przyblyski.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
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Sunnyside Conservatory Renovation – Phase 3
Paulina Araica, Project Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation commented that the Sunnyside Conservatory is well loved by the community. She explained that she is attending this meeting to address a concern from Phase 2 about fence security. She explained that while the Commissioners suggestion of moving the fence to the edge of the concrete wall was thoroughly researched, it was not structurally possible. Other security measures include plants with thorns and planters on the sidewalk in front of the fence. Ms. Araica introduced Edward Shin, Lansscape Architect, DPW BOA.
Mr. Shin explained options that he had looked into for changing the fence design, but was unable to find a solution that was structurally sound.
Commissioner Hunter and Commissioner Bihan gave other options for how the fence could be constructed soundly and reduce the foothold. Commissioner Hunter explained that the current design has created steps for people to walk up and jump over the fence. He concluded that the Committee wants to see the site secure and would hate to see the renovation work on the conservatory damaged.
Commissioner Przyblyski and Commissioner Delaney left the meeting: 5:30 p.m.
Without a quorum, Commissioner Hunter and Commissioner Bihan briefly continued discussion of the project with Ms. Araica and Mr. Shin for informational purposes only.
The two Commissioners gave other options for how the fence could be constructed soundly and reduce the foothold. Commissioner Hunter explained that the current design has created steps for people to walk up and jump over the fence. He said that the Committee wants to see the site secure and would hate to see the renovation work on the Conservatory damaged.
Commissioner Hunter commented that the committee no longer had a quorum and could not vote on the issue, but he would bring up the project at the next full Commission meeting.
