Civic_Design_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, July 17, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present: Andrea Cochran, Leonard Hunter, John Kriken, Jeannene Przyblyski
Commissioners Absent: Beverly Prior
Staff Present: Richard Newirth, Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor
Call To Order: 3:05 p.m.
- Mint Plaza—Phase 1
Michael Yarne, director of development, briefly reviewed the scope of the project that was presented at the last Civic Design meeting. Mr. Yarne handed out revised drawings that reflected changes made after the initial informational packets were submitted.
Mr. Yarne presented a diagram outlining potential uses for the space. He stated that the goal was to create the most flexible space for a variety of uses. He also said that the project was designed to complement the Old Mint building as well as the character of the existing buildings that surround the plaza.
Mr. Yarne stated that the major features of the plaza would include a parking drop or zone, an entry grove of trees, a planted trellis along the edge of the existing buildings, a swale to naturally filter stormwater runoff before it reaches the sewer system, and a public artwork. The site will also have seating that will be brought in and out by the proposed new cafes and restaurants in the plaza.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran asked how extensive the community outreach was.
Mr. Yarne said that they did a typical 900' radius mailing and that all of the information from the community meetings was posted on the Martin Building Company website. The website also accepts comments on the design ideas and proposals.
Commissioner Kriken asked for more detail about the trellis design.
Willet Moss, Principal, Conger Moss Guillard Landscape Architects, explained that the trellis provided a discrete identity for the plaza. It also acts as a buffer zone between the buildings and the open space of the plaza. Mr. Moss explained that the trellis would be made of metal.
Commissioner Kriken asked if the trellis would limit the possibility to do signage on the face of the buildings for the new tenants.
Mr. Yarne stated that all of the buildings along the plaza are registered landmarks so there are strict limits to the ways in which the façade can be modified.
Commissioner Cochran asked about the maintenance program for the plaza.
Mr. Yarne said that the Mello Roos Community Facilities District (CFD) and the Community Benefits District (CBD) funds would cover regular maintenance.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she supports the trellis design and a more open ground plane without a lot of structures. Ms. Przyblyski expressed concern that the entry grove seemed cluttered. She also felt that it blocked too much of the view into the plaza.
Commissioner Hunter felt that the Mint Street end was very strong and well designed as a terminus. Mr. Hunter did not feel that the entry grove was a good idea. He suggested exploring the idea of a kiosk or something more portable. Mr. Hunter stated that he was concerned about the grade change.
Commissioner Hunter asked if the tree species had been selected for the entry grove.
Mr. Moss stated that they had not been selected yet.
Commissioner Cochran stated that she liked the trellis idea. Ms. Cochran stated that she was pleased with the overall design restraint in terms of how much structure is placed inside the plaza.
Commissioner Hunter stated that he liked the profile of the trellis structure.
Motion to approve Mint Plaza Phase 1 contingent upon further study of the entry grove along Fifth Street: Cochran
Vote: Unanimously approved
- Palo Alto Pump Station Project—Phase 2
Stanley So, Project Architect, DPW BOA, presented the color and material boards for the project.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran recommend that the architects select a different species of bamboo. The drawings indicate a tree 25' tall but the bamboo specified will grow to 40' minimum.
Commissioner Hunter stated that he would like to see more of the building design from the street and less of the tanks. He asked if this was a community-driven decision to completely mask the building from the street.
Mr. So stated that the community expressly stated that the building should be hidden.
Emilina Sandoval, Project Manager, SFPUC, stated that the design team had presented to the community three times and that she was reluctant to make any significant changes without community input.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that the committee needs to have a position on how to balance community input with prudent design decisions.
Commissioner Cochran felt that green was poor choice of color if the goal was to make the building blend in with the surrounding landscape. She recommended a darker color.
Commissioner Cochran stated that further color studies were required and the plant selection should be reexamined.
- Palace of Fine Arts Building and Park Restoration Phase IIB/IIC—Phase 3
Lena Chen, Project Manager, DPW, reviewed the project development history. She also briefly reviewed the approval history of the project. Ms. Chen introduced Charlie Duncan, Architect, Carey & Co., to present the project.
Mr. Duncan explained that the scope of work in the restoration is very minimal. Repair will be completed on the column capitals and on the existing large figures. Concrete spalling will be repaired. Graffiti will be removed, as well as biological growth. Mr. Duncan stated that new accent lights will be added, as well as a new roof access door. Mr. Duncan stated that new ventilation louvers that complement the existing door pattern would be installed as an Add Alternate to the original bid.
John Thomas, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE Landscape Division, reviewed minor changes made to the previously approved design. Mr. Thomas said that the parking turnaround/drop-off at the south end of the lagoon at Lyon and Bay Streets was eliminated. A more formal entry into the Palace at Lyon Street was created. He said that new parking and drop-off areas are now located at the north end of Lyon Street. A similar entry path is also located on this side of the lagoon to maintain the symmetry of the overall landscape. Mr. Thomas stated that more overlooks had been added to the paths along the perimeter of the lagoon. The paving material for the area under the Palace has been finalized. The design is based on historical documentation of the site and is a near-replica of what was originally there.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran stated that the landscape design presented seemed very different from what was previously approved. She felt that it was an entirely new schematic design and not at the construction document stage. Ms. Cochran stated that the scale of the drawings and amount of detail was not adequate for a Phase 3 approval.
Ms. Chen stated that these two aspects of the restoration project were split into to separate contracts, but because the work would be done in tandem, the two phases were combined. Ms. Chen asked if a Phase 3 could be granted for both aspects of the project with the condition of review of more detailed construction documents for the landscape design.
Commissioner Cochran stated that she did not feel that a Phase 3 approval could be given to both aspects of the project because they do not seem to be at the same level of development.
Motion to approve Palace of Fine Arts Building and Park Restoration Phase IIB only—Phase 3: Przyblyski
Vote: Unanimously approved
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Security Policy—Informational Presentation
Greg Suhr, Director of Security, SFPUC, reviewed the fundamental aspects of the security provisions for existing and new SFPUC facilities. Mr. Suhr explained that the primary goals of the security policy were to not make existing facilities less safe and to ensure new facilities meet a certain standard of safety.
The current standard security fence height for pump stations is 8 feet, and for reservoirs is 10 feet.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Kriken asked if there is any flexibility in terms of material and aesthetics of the fence.
Mr. Suhr said that the height is a fixed requirement, but that alternative options for the look of the fence would be dependent upon the specific requirements of the facility and the site. Mr. Suhr stated that he is open to reviewing alternative proposals as long as they meet the stated security requirements for a specific facility or site.
Commissioner Przyblyski asked about the prohibition of identification signage on public infrastructure like pump stations. Ms. Przyblyski felt that it was important for the public to know what their buildings are doing.
Mr. Suhr stated that he did not have a problem with generic identification signage, like “SFPUC” or “Property of DPW” or “C.C.S.F.” But specific signage designating what is in the building or the specific function of the building is prohibited.
Mr. Suhr reiterated that options are welcome as long as they meet the specific security requirements of the site and building.
- Mission Bay Pump Station at Park 15—Phase 3 Administrative Review
Rommel Taylor, Arts Commission staff, stated that minor changes had been made to the previously approved Phase 2 design. Mr. Taylor stated that the depth of the roof soffit had been increased in order to accommodate required structure. He stated that, based on the explanation and documents provided by the architectural team, the changes proposed were minor and necessary. Mr. Taylor recommended that the Committee approve the Phase 3 submittal for this project.
Commissioner Kriken felt that the proposed solution changed the character of the building. Mr. Kriken felt that there are other design options that will satisfy the structural requirements and maintain the elegance of the original design.
Commissioner Hunter agreed with Commissioner Kriken that there are other options that would maintain the slender feel of the roof. Mr. Hunter stated that the proposed changes made the roof look chunky.
Commissioner Cochran agreed with the previous commissioners’ statements that the character of the building is significantly different from what was previously approved at Phase 2. Ms. Cochran stated that the new architects should come back to explain further their proposed solution and to discuss other options.
- New Business
- Adjournment: 5:40 p.m.
Revision Date 9/14/06
