Meeting Information

Civic_Design_Committee

CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, August 16, 2004
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners Present: Andrea Cochran, William Meyer, Rod Freebairn Smith, Barbara Stauffacher-Solomon

Absent: Jeannene Przyblyski

Staff Present: Richard Newirth, Rommel Taylor


Call To Order: 3:10

1. 10th and Market Street Project-Phase 1
   
   
   Valerie O'Donnell of the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC)/Citizens Housing explained the overall scope of the project. She stated that the site was owned by TNDC and was being developed by Meyers Development Company. The site is at Market and 10thStreet and extends south down 10th Street to Mission Street. Ms. O'Donnell said that there would be three buildings on the site; a mixed income residential tower, a senior housing tower and an Office tower at the corner of 10th and Market. She stated that the office tower was being presented to the commission today. Ms. O'Donnell introduced Craig Hartman, senior design partner, Skidmore Owings & Merril L.L.P., to present the design concepts for the office tower.
   
   Mr. Hartman explained that the site was designed around a central private courtyard set one story above grade to allow for parking underneath. He stated the office tower anchored the site at 10th and Market Streets. The building is approximately 320' tall to the highest occupiable floor. Mr. Hartman also stated that there would be a roof garden accessible to the tenants only. The main office tower steps back from Market Street. A 4-story pavilion serves as the primary entry to the building. Mr. Hartman explained that high winds along the site where taken into consideration in developing the massing of the building.
   
   Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
   
   Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
   
   Richard Newirth stated that Commissioner Cochran had recused herself from commenting and voting on this project due to a potential conflict of interest.
   
   Commissioner Freebairn-Smith stated that the overall concept was appropriate for the site. He commented that the relationship to public transit and the pedestrian environment was good. Mr. Freebairn–Smith said that he was concerned about the wind at street level. He also was concerned about landscaping concepts as well as how the sidewalks would be activated for safety and commerce. Commissioner Freebairn-Smith mentioned that he would like to see a better connection between the Civic Center. Mr. Freebairn- Smith stated that he hoped the percent for art would be used for a piece that addressed the unique environmental conditions in some way.
   
   Commissioner Stauffacher-Solomon stated that she liked the idea of a sky garden. Ms. Stauffacher- Solomon supported the idea of using art to mitigate the environmental issues at the site. She also stated that it is important to have basic amenities, such as a grocery store on the site. This is most important for the elderly population.
   
   Commissioner Meyer stated that he was satisfied with the overall design of the building. He commented that he particularly like the lower entry pavilion along Market Street. He said that he would like to see a taller and more narrow office tower if possible. Mr. Meyer commented that the relationship to the adjacent Bank of America building seemed rather close.
   
   
   Mr. Hartman stated that the space between the two buildings was typical urban condition.
   
   
   Motion to approve 10th and Market Street Project- Phase 1: Stauffacher-Solomon
   Vote: Unanimous
   
   
2. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Solar Pipelin- Informational Presentation
   
   
   
   Ed Smeloff, Assistant General Manager of Power Policy, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, stated that the SFPUC was engaged in implementing a 2001 voter approved ballot to aggressively use solar power to supplement the city power generation. There are three primary goals for the program; 1. Reduce overall usage of fossil fuel burning facilities 2. Supplement the City’s power distribution options 3. Advance solar cell technology.
   
   
   Mr. Smeloff said that there were three big projects that the City has begun. The first project, which has actually been completed was the Moscone Center solar roof installation. The second project will be to install solar panels at the South East Water Treatment Facility in the bayview district. The third project will be a solar roof installation on the Pier 96 building.
   
   Mr. Smeloff explained that most of the solar projects would be invisible to the public and would not alter the overall exterior of the subject buildings.  However any project on City owned building that would alter the design of the exterior visible to the public, those projects would be presented to the Civic Design Committee.
   
   
   
3. New Business
   
   
   
   Commissioner Meyer stated that he had questions regarding the color choice for the Palace of Fine Arts rotunda paint job.  He stated that he had seen three-color swatches painted on the building and found one of the colors acceptable.  He stated that his concern regarding the color choice was in relation to the final color choice for the columns and the most prominent view from Pacific Heights.
   
   Commissioner Freebairn- Smith asked why the Civic Design Commission did not have to render and official vote.  Mr. Freebairn-Smith said that it was important that we offer an official statement on the particular project. He also stated that he wanted to know what historical research had been undertaken to choose the most appropriate color.  Mr. Freebairn-Smith stated that he had not seen any of the color swatches as of today’s meeting.
   
   
4. Adjournment 5:00
   

Revision Date: 09-08-04