Civic_Design_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, March 21, 2005
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present: William Meyer, Rod Freebairn-Smith, Andrea Cochran, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Jeannene Przyblyski
Absent: None
Staff Present: Richard Newirth, Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor
Call To Order: 3:10 p.m.
- Seismic Upgrades of Bay Division Pipelines 3 and 4 at the Hayward Fault Crossing-Phase 1 and 2
Commissioner Meyer stated that this agenda item was being heard first because representatives for the Little Saigon Project were not present when the meeting was called to order.
Michael Pierron, architect, SFPUC, explained that significant changes had been made to the project since the Phase 1 approval on November 15, 2004. He stated that the scope and location of the project was the same as presented in November. Mr. Pierron stated that the overall square footage of the building had been reduced. They were able to accomplish this by locating equipment and program underground. The previously approved building footprint was 75 ft. long by 50 ft. wide. The new footprint is 50 ft. long by 20 ft. wide. Mr. Pierron commented that the exterior building materials are the same as previously approved. He commented that the stucco color would be yellow.
Mr. Pierron stated that the community wanted to further minimize the visual impact of the buildings. The presented changes reflect the design teams acknowledgement of the expressed community concerns.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked if the community requested SFPUC to include other functions for the site and if the site could be used as open space with landscaping.
Mr. Pierron stated that there were no negotiations in progress. As stated at the last meeting, there will be no physical public access to the site. He explained that SFPUC does not allow for significant planting on these types of sites due to potential root damage to the underground pipes.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked what the public would see from the street.
Mr. Pierron explained that you would see the building and approximately 1 ft. to about 3 ft. of the concrete that is the roof structure of the underground functions.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked if there were any other community comments that the committee should be concerned about.
Mr. Pierron explained that the primary concern was to reduce the visual impact and size of the building. The proposed new design responds directly to that concern.
Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon expressed concern about the accuracy of the presentation. She stated that the color on the boards did not look yellow and that she prefered the color on the boards. Ms. Stauffacher Solomon said that she preferred a more neutral color.
Commissioner Cochran agreed with Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon that the color should not be so bright. The greenish color on the board would be more appropriate.
Commissioner Przyblyski said that she would like to see more signage on public infrastructure projects. She also commented that she understands the stated security concerns, however she feels it is important that citizens can identify and understand how the infrastructure of the city works.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith felt that the arbitrary use of the arch on the side elevations was unnecessary.
Commissioner Meyer stated that he liked the design and agreed with Commissioner Freebairn-Smith about the arbitrary use of the arch on the side elevations.
Motion to approve Seismic Upgrades of Bay Division Pipelines 3 and 4 at the Hayward Fault Crossing Phase 1 and 2 contingent upon specifying a color for the exterior as shown on the presentation boards: Przyblyski
Vote: Unanimous
- Little Saigon Project-Phase 1,2 and 3
Trang Nguyen, Executive Director, Vietnamese Elderly Mutual Assistance Association (VEMAA), stated that the project was coming back to Civic Design with new information as requested at the previous meeting.
Ms. Nguyen presented an example of the type of lion sculpture that would sit on top of the two proposed pylons. She explained that the surface material would be slate. Ms. Nguyen said that this material was chosen because it is durable, colorfast and relatively inexpensive. A sealant will be applied to the slate to increase resistance to vandalism. She said that they had considered porcelain but the maintenance on that material would be too expensive.
Ms. Nguyen introduced Kathy Minh Bach, a designer who was volunteering time on this project to answer any architectural questions.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran asked if the grout lines would be visible.
Ms. Bach explained that they were planning on using 4 inches by 4 inches slate tiles. The grout lines would be visible.
Commissioner Cochran suggested that they research using granite instead of slate. She explained that granite is a much stronger material and will be easier to carve letters into. The granite also looks more dignified and monumental. She said that the small slate tiles would take away from the simplicity of the design.
Commissioner Cochran suggested that they research golden granite, a material that is relatively inexpensive and more durable than slate or porcelain.
Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon said that she agreed with Commissioner Cochran regarding the material selection. She expressed concern that the drawing did not accurately show the relationship of the lion to the pylon. The lion presented today did not match what is shown in the rendering. Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon said that they should come back with an accurate drawing.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith stated that he was also concerned about the proportions of the lion in relation to the pylon. He said that the lion model presented would look too small on the current pylon design. Mr. Freebairn-Smith stated that he would like to see either a larger lion sculpture or a more slender column. He added that slate is not that durable and would recommend using granite.
Commissioner Meyer agreed with the comments made by all the commissioners. He stated that a larger lion or more slender column should be used. He suggested that granite in the short and long term might be more economical. The cost to carve the small slate tiles and the maintenance might balance out the costs of using granite.
Motion to approve Little Saigon Project Phase 1 and 2 contingent upon reducing the size of the pylon to 18 inches long by 18 inches wide by 9 ft. tall and using granite if it is economically feasible: Meyer
Vote: Unanimous
- Ingleside Branch Library-Phase 1
Marilyn Thompson, Program Manager, Bond Library Improvement Program, summarized the design process to date, including community review and the pending review by the Library Commission. Ms. Thompson introduced Ann Fougeron, Principal, Fougeroun Architects, to present the design concept.
Ms. Fougeron stated that the challenge for this project was to create a civic presence with a relatively small scale building. She explained that creating visual interest at the entry was important to make the building easily identifiable from the street. Also, visual transparency was important to both the civic quality and interior quality of the building. Ms. Fougeron stated that the small square footage requirements provided an opportunity for an outdoor reading area. The area would be surrounded by a metal perimeter fence, which also serves as a public art opportunity. She stated that a metal worker had been selected by the Visual Arts Committee and that their team would be collaborating with him on creating a piece that worked with the architectural design.<<br />
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon stated that the building looked fine. She commented that there seemed to be too many exterior materials being used.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked if the main reading room could be taller to match the height of the canopy.
Ms. Fougeron responded that the team would look at that option.
Commissioner Przyblyski said that she hoped the additional trees at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Plymouth Ave. could be moved or removed. The trees obscure the strong architectural form of the children's reading room specifically and the front of the building in general. Ms. Przyblyski asked how closely the artist was working with the design team.
Ms. Fougeron stated that they hadn't begun design of the metal fence. She said that they would be working very closely with the artist during design development.
Commissioner Cochran stated that she really liked the design of the building and use of materials. She agreed with Commissioner Przyblyski regarding the street trees impairing the presence of the building. Ms. Cochran also stated that she liked horsetails as a planting material but warned that it requires a lot of maintenance.
Commissioner Meyer said that he liked the overall building form. He said that the he would like to see colors and different configuration of the louvers.
Motion to approve Ingleside Branch Library Phase 1 with the recommendation that the trees directly in front of the children's reading room be relocated or removed: Przyblyski
Vote: Unanimous
- Palace of Fine Arts, Phase IIA, Lagoon and Park Restoration (informational presentation)-Site Furnishings Selection-Phase 1,2 and 3
Lena Chen, Project Manager, DPW BOA, explained that the design team would be presenting an informational presentation regarding the next phase of work at the Palace of Fine Arts site. She commented that the team was seeking approval for the selection of site furnishings for the park. Ms. Chen introduced Charlie Duncan, Architect, Carey and Co. Architects and Doug Nelson, Landscape Planner, Royston Hanamoto Alley and Abey, to present the project.
Mr. Duncan stated that the site had been researched extensively to create a design that reflected the character of the original design. He explained that the primary scope of the project was to restore the dilapidated edge of the lagoon and activate the lagoon. Mr. Duncan said that much of the original planting was imported and was not native to the area. Also, the edge along the lagoon was originally planted and not simply a hard edge. Mr. Duncan emphasized that the design objective was to restore the city park, as close as possible to its original condition.
Mr. Nelson explained that the impetus for the design was aesthetic but also about increasing safety and accessibility to the lagoon. He explained that they will be rebuilding the entire perimeter edge of the lagoon with a new concrete curb. In certain conditions the curb will extend vertically 6 inches to provide access all the way to the edge of the lagoon. In other cases the concrete will be more or less flush with the water and planting will provide a buffer between the walkway and the lagoon.
Mr. Nelson stated that the site furnishings include benches and City approved trash receptacles. The benches are metal and wood. The metal of the benches and trash receptacles will be painted black.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran stated that the landscape scheme made sense. She said that she liked the idea of providing planting along the edge of the lagoon. Ms. Cochran asked if basalt could be used as the curb as well as decoration.
Mr. Nelson responded that there was a durability issue. The basalt would not hold up as long as the concrete.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she was very glad that the fence would finally be coming down. She asked if the benches and trash cans were City standards.
Mr. Nelson responded that the trash receptacles were City standards.
Commissioner Meyer asked where the trash receptacles would be placed.
Mr. Nelson stated that benches and trash receptacles would be paired together.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith said that he was impressed with the depth of research and analysis of the historical character of the site and commended the design team for their work. He stated that he would like to see a deeper curb so that the edge of the lagoon could be more effectively used as a seat.
Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon stated that she is looking forward to the completion of the project.
Motion to approve Palace of Fine Arts, Phase IIA Site Furnishings Selection-Phase 1, 2 and 3: Meyer
Vote: Unanimous
- New Business
United Nations Plaza-Informational Presentation
Judi Mosqueda, Project Manager, DPW, explained that there were several projects happening in the United Nations Plaza. The projects are a response to pressure from the Mayor's office to improve the quality of the plaza in preparation for the celebration for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The first project is the replacement of the temporary buckets and chain link barrier surrounding the Lawrence Halprin Fountain in the plaza. Ms. Mosqueda explained that new removable granite bollards with a black removable chain would replace the buckets. The square light fixtures atop columns lining the main path will be replaced with glass spheres with an etching of the world.
Ms. Mosqueda said that the grass space at the western corner of the plaza near the Art Institute of California campus would be removed. She explained that the grass area would be removed and paved so that the space could be used for vendors and as a secure gathering space for the students of the college. Ms. Mosqueda stated that other options would be to use the space for temporary art exhibits. She stated that the construction of this was already underway.
Ms. Mosqueda said that part of the barrier wall at the southern edge of the plaza between the buildings at 10 and 50 UN Plaza would be removed. The removal of this wall would provide greater visual access to the plaza from the Leavenworth corridor.
The last project, which would be partially funded by the Goldman Fund and San Francisco Foundation, are plaques that will include the most recently added member nations.
Ms. Mosqueda stated that another proposal for the celebration of the United Nation's anniversary was to place flags around the fountain in recognition of the member nations. This project is still in the planning stage.
Commissioner Cochran expressed outrage that any part of this project was happening outside of Arts Commission approval. Ms.Cochran stated that she was insulted that the project was being presented after the fact and that the Charter-mandated authority of the Arts Commission had been completely ignored.
Commissioner Przyblyski agreed with Commissioner Cochran's statement and suggested that the Civic Design Committee take this matter directly to the Mayor's office.
Commissioner Meyer suggested that each of the commissioners write a letter directly to the Mayor regarding this project.
- Adjournment: 5:50 p.m.
Revision Date 03/29/05
