Meeting Information

Civic_Design_Committee

CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, March 19,  2007
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners Present: Andrea Cochran, Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Beverly Prior, John Kriken

 Commissioners Absent: None

Staff Present: Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor

Call To Order: 3:05 p.m.

1. Sensu Element, San Francisco Japantown History Walk -Phase 1 & 2
   
   
   Nancy Gonchar, Deputy Director, Arts Commission, requested that this item be moved to the top of the agenda in order to accommodate members of the public who had to leave before 4:00 p.m.
   
   Commissioner Cochran agreed to this modification.
   
   Karen Kai, Naganuma Design & Direction (“NDD”), stated that this project was part of a self-guided Japantown History Walk (“JTHW”). The proposed sculpture would be a representation of a traditional Japanese sensu, or folding fan. Ms. Kai said that the sensu would be used as a graphic standard on all of the items that make up the JTHW. The fan is the only piece of the JTHW that will be on public property located in the median between Post and Geary Blvd. Ms. Kai introduced Gerald Takano, principal, TBA West Architects, to present the design.
   
   Mr. Takano stated that the sensu and the support structure would be a combination of porcelain enamel and powder-coated aluminum. The base will be made out of concrete, 5'4" tall by 2'6" wide. Preliminary engineering has been completed for the structure. Mr. Takano said that in order to minimize the potential desire of pedestrians to cross over into the median, all informational text would be located on a separate plaque across the street on the Nijima Market building. The landscape for the median is still being worked out. Mr. Nakano noted that the design team has been in contact with the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to ensure that all setback requirements had been met.
   
   Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
   
   Robert Hamaguchi, Executive Director, Japantown Taskforce, spoke in support of the project.
   
   Sandy Mori, Japantown Taskforce Board of Directors Chairperson, spoke in support of the project.
   
   Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Commissioner Kriken asked if lighting would be provided for the sculpture.
   
   Kaz Tony Naganuma, owner, NDD, stated that uplight would be provided and that DPW would be providing assistance to cover the expense of the installation.
   
   Commissioner Kriken asked if the lettering on the sensu would be in Japanese, either on the front or back of the fan.
   
   Mr. Takano stated that there would be no lettering on the sensu or on the base, and that all text would be part of the board located on the Nijima Market building. The design team intentionally left off any text from the piece in order to discourage people from crossing over to the median.
   
   Commissioner Prior asked if the design team was in conversation with the new building owners and developers.
   
   Ms. Kai stated that the new owners and developers had been involved in the design process for the JTHW. She also commented that a Planning Department work group was being developed over the next year to facilitate communication between all stakeholders. Because of funding deadlines, the sensu project would need to move ahead prior to the formal establishment of the work group. However, the landscape design and other elements will be developed in close collaboration with the work group.
   
   Motion to approve Sensu Element, San Francisco Japantown History Walk Phase 1: Cochran
   Vote: Unanimously approved
   
   
   
   
   
2. Potrero Hill Health Center Addition-Phase 2
   
   
   Tony Leung, Project Manager, DPW BOA, stated that the design team had addressed comments regarding security from the last Civic Design meeting. Mr. Leung also stated that a community outreach meeting was held on March 7, 2007, and that the drawings are posted at the health center. In addition, the director of the health center canvassed the immediate neighborhood with information about the project. Mr. Leung introducted Jorge Gutierrez, Project Designer, DPW BOA, to speak about the modifications.
   
   Mr. Gutierrez explained that a new metal gate had been added to the design in response to comments about the security of the parking area. A sliding metal gate would mark the entrance to the parking area. The perimeter around the building would also have the same style metal gate. New security lighting would be installed to give more visibility to the parking area at night and from the street.
   
   Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
   
   Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Commissioner Cochran asked if any repair work would be done to the existing building.
   
   Mr. Leung stated that no funds were available this fiscal year to do repairs on the exterior of the building. He explained that a capital request had been submitted to do work on the existing building at a later date.
   
   Commissioner Prior asked what material the security fence would be made of.
   
   Mr. Leung stated that the plan was to install a heavy metal, but the security fence is an add alternate to this project. The current budget does not include the addition of the fence as part of the base bid. The intent is to install some type of security barrier, and the bid for that part of the project will determine the character of the material and design. Mr. Leung stated that if the design changed, the team would come back to the Civic Design Committee for reapproval.
   
   Commissioner Cochran asked what the funding source was for this project.
   
   Mr Leung stated that it was funded from the General Fund.
   
   Commissioner Cochran asked if there would be any identification signage.
   
   Mr. Leung stated that no new signage would be installed. The addition is at the rear of the building. The primary building graphics are at the front of the building.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski strongly recommended that the exterior of the existing building be repaired. She felt at minimum the exterior should be repainted. Commissioner Przyblyski preferred that the siding remain and be repaired. She commented that the security measures presented by the architects are essential for the building and should be executed at the highest level of quality.
   
   Commissioner Cochran felt that it was unacceptable to leave the existing building in disrepair. She said that it is an outrage that the condition of the exterior has deteriorated to such a state and that every effort should be made to renovate the building concurrent with the proposed new construction. Commissioner Cochran strongly recommends that the reapir of the existing building be prioritized.
   
   Motion to approve the Potrero Hill Health Center Addition Phase 2, contingent upon addition of the security measures as presented, and with the recommendation that the complete repair of the exterior of the existing build be prioritized, with repainting of the exterior as a minimum action-Phase 2: Hunter
   Vote: Unanimously approved
   
   
3. New Business
   
   
4. Adjournment: 4:15 p.m.
   

Revision Date 03/29/07