Meeting Information

Civic_Design_Committee

CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, July 20,  2009
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners Present: Topher Delaney, René Bihan, Cass Calder Smith

Staff Present:   Luis R. Cancel, Jill Manton, Vicky Knoop

Call To Order: 3:05 p.m.

1.  Harding Park Recycled Water Project—Phases 1 and 2
   
   Edmund Shum, Project Architect, DPW BOA, gave an overview of the site and function of the facility. He presented drawings with H20 in glass block on one wall of the structure. He presented two variations of the design. Mr. Shum introduced Reed Dillingham, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE.
   
   Mr. Dillingham explained that the plant palette is made up of native plants. There is a vegetative swale for storm water catchment. The plan will replace some trees and restore existing healthy planting. The plants selected have been studied and will have no ill effects from the recycled water used for irrigation.
   
   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Commissioner Delaney asked Mr. Shum which design he preferred.
   
   Mr. Shum replied that he prefers the design that includes Morse code on three walls.
   
   The Commissioners agreed.
   
   Motion to approve Phases 1 and 2 of the Harding Park Recycled Water Project: Commissioner Delaney
   
   Vote: Unanimously approved
   
   
   

2. Sunset Playground Renovation Project—Phase 1
   Paul Travis, Project Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation explained that the project team is developing the central space of the club house, renovating the gym and adding storage for field equipment. Mr. Travis said that since the previous review, the revised architectural concept is to present two buildings with a connector between them. He introduced Douglas Ullman, Project Architect, DPW BOA. Mr. Ullman explained that the awning on the entry has been redesigned from an arch to a peaked roof with skylights into the lobby of the building. The new design signifies the entry clearly while staying in the context of the building and meeting the goals for massing.
   
   Mr. Ullman and Mr. Travis presented several design options for the awning. The designs considered were a flat roof, a grid design, a freestanding cable system, and the design team’s preferred solution, a connected gable.
   
   Jill Manton and Luis Cancel joined the meeting at 3:24 pm.
   
   Mr. Ullman said that to solve the problem of the two structures visually connecting, the new section has been set back from the two buildings. He explained that it intends to create a negative space between the two dissimilar masses.
   
   Commissioner Delaney asked about the existing chimney size.
   
   Mr. Travis replied that it is roughly 3 feet by 10 feet. He added that there are plans to turn it into a trophy case on the interior, so the dimensions could be modified.
   
   John Thomas, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE, presented a revised landscape plan for the project. The curving paths have been extended, vehicle access has been reduced at the front of the gymnasium, and trees have been added. The paved area around the courts and fields now provides an opportunity for enhanced circulation and play space. The revised design adds the idea of games to the surfacing, with hopscotch and labyrinth patterns that are yet to be fully developed.
   
   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Commissioner Bihan asked if the elevated walls around the play equipment are still part of the design.
   
   Mr. Thomas replied that the wall is still in the design but now has penetrations from the walkway to the play area.
   
   Commissioner Bihan commented favorably on the multiple programming functions, but added that there needs to be a strong framework for all the parts to sit in. He suggested using an orthogonal design in the paving or creating a more painterly ground plane with standard and imagined games. He also recommended using tennis court or basketball surface for all the paving.
   
   Commissioner Delaney suggested that imagination and discovery be included into the design concept. She asked Mr. Thomas about design philosophy.
   
   Mr. Thomas replied that the design composition is intended to create a series of spaces that begin with play spaces in the front and lead to social and game spaces in the back. The joy comes from the activities and programming.
   
   Commissioner Bihan suggested that a soft shady space should have more trees to differentiate it from an open play space.
   
   Commissioner Delaney suggested that there be some way for people to enter into the planted area and interact with nature.
   
   Commissioner Smith commented that the design doesn’t have a non-architectural goal such as a place of sport, or a place of discovery, or a place of mystery. It needs a bigger concept to help do everything else.
   
   Ms. Manton asked Mr. Travis what the community had requested.
   
   Mr. Travis replied that there has been a small amount of community interest in the landscape pertaining to the retaining walls around the edge of the lot.
   
   Commissioner Delaney suggested putting in fruit trees or a butterfly garden.
   
   Ms. Manton suggested that the design team come back with a few options for the landscape.
   
   Commissioner Smith requested that the design team bring a few words that explain the design strategy for each landscape design scheme. He also commented that the gabled roof could be raised and lengthened to have four or six support beams.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Sunset Playground Renovation Project on the contingency that the landscape be revised for Phase 2: Commissioner Smith
   
   Vote: Unanimously approved
   
   

3. Visitacion Valley Branch Library—Phase 3
   Andy Maloney, Project Architect, DPW BOA, presented the clay tile roof and several samples of the stucco finish. He added that the finish would be a heavy dash.
   
   Commisisoner Smith asked about the color.
   
   Mr. Maloney replied that the color is determined by how much of the aggregate is revealed.
   
   Commissioner Bihan said he preferred the Russian River Red.
   
   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Visitacion Valley Branch Library: Commissioner Bihan
   
   Vote: Unanimously approved.
   
   

4. Anza Branch Library—Administrative Phase 3 Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Anza Branch Library: Commissioner Bihan Vote: Unanimously approved.
   
   

5. Ortega Branch Library—Administrative Phase 3 Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Ortega Branch Library: Commissioner Delaney Vote: Unanimously approved.
   
   

6. Merced Branch Library—Administrative Phase 3 Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Merced Branch Library: Commissioner Delaney Vote: Unanimously approved.
   
   

7. Hayes Valley Playground—Administrative Phase 3 Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Hayes Valley Playground: Commissioner Bihan Vote: Unanimously approved.
   
   

8. New Business
   The Commissioners discussed the upcoming design charrette scheduled for August 14, 2009.
   
   
   

9. Adjournment: 4:35  p.m.
   
   
   vmk 8/17/09