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Meeting Information



Civic_Design_Committee

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 

CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, November 16, 2009
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners present: Leo Chow, Astrid Haryati, Topher Delaney
Staff present: Luis Cancel, Jill Manton, Vicky Knoop

Call to order: 3:10

  1. North Beach Branch Library - Phase 2
    Marsha Maytum, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects presented the updated scope of work and master plan for the project.

    Mr. Cancel asked about the designation of the library as a historic landmark.

    Ms. Maytum responded that yes, the Historic Preservation Commission is looking to designate the existing library as a historic landmark. 

    Commissioner Delaney asked how this would affect the library plans and construction.

    Ms. Maytum responded that there is currently a draft EIR with alternatives for the historic designation.

    Commissioner Delaney commented that the committee is in complete support of the master plan with a new library and Mason street closure.

    Mr. Cancel agreed that yes, the master plan has the complete support of the Arts Commission.

    Commissioner Chow asked if any of the alternatives in the EIR would be to not build a new library.

    Ms. Maytum explained that there was an exploration of options for upgrading the existing library to fit the programming, seismic, and accessibility needs. She added that the EIR process is happening parallel with the design process.

    Ms. Maytum presented two configurations of the design one with Mason Street closed and the other with the street narrowed.  The test closure of Mason Street through the summer was very successful and the landscape is still being developed for the closed street.  She presented the floor plan for the library and said that the community space will be accessible after hours.  The twelve foot wide bay window has been reinterpreted for the scale and proportion of the neighborhood.  She added that there will be solar panels on the roof and the project aims for a LEED Silver rating.

    Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.  Seeing none, he closed the floor.

    Commissioner Haryati asked about storm water management.

    Ms. Maytum replied that the topography will remain the same and they have done studies to see if there could be better use rainwater runoff, but the area is limited.

    Commissioner Chow asked what had changed about the design since Phase 1.

    Ms. Maytum explained that it is still intended to be a tile building but they are looking at a series of options for the exterior including Heath tile, porcelain or stucco.  She presented the materials and explained that they are using a painted metal storefront system for the windows.

    Commissioner Delaney commented that it was going into a good direction.

    Ms. Manton asked about existing artwork.

    Ms. Maytum requested assistance with identifying any existing artwork.

    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the North Beach Branch Library with the condition that the Civic Art Collection staff verify that there is no artwork affected by the construction: Commissioner Delaney

    Vote: Unanimously approved

     

  2. Mission Pool and Playground Renovation - Phase 2

    Commissioner Smith struck this item from the agenda at the request of the project team.

  3. Terminal 2/Boarding Area D Renovations - Phase 2
    Ray Quesada, Project Manager, Bureau of Design and Construction, SFO, explained that the project team has addressed the concerns of the Commissioners.  He said that this is a design build project and introduced Terence Young, Architect, Gensler.

    Mr. Young presented the new additions to the design which include pedestrian cover for waiting areas and the bus waiting area has been moved.

    Mr. Cancel commented that there was a major sculpture in this terminal.

    Mr. Quesada replied that they are working with Arts Commission staff for the conservation and placement of existing art and the commissioning of new works.

    Mr. Young presented site photographs and materials samples. He said that the jewel of the airport is the international terminal, but the next step is the new domestic terminal.  The changes to the terminal will emphasize transparency, lightness, sustainability and art.  The design concept is a to have simple glass planes sliding together with Nori Sato’s artwork.  The fins have been removed from her artwork per Commissioner comments.  The accent color has been changed to a warm grey with silver.

    Commissioner Chow asked about the canopy under the bridge.

    Mr. Quesada explained that the pedestrian crosswalk will be covered by the pedestrian bridge.

    Mr. Young explained that the airside of the terminal will be branded with the words San Francisco. 

    Commissioner Haryati asked about the rainwater catchment system.

    Mr. Quesada explained that the reclaimed water is currently planned to be reused for landscape and restrooms. 

    Mr. Cancel left the meeting at 4:25.

    Commissioner Delaney commented that the lighting could be more expressive.

    Commissioner Chow said that he still has concern about how the pieces fit together as discussed at the last meeting.  He noted that the canopy still seemed tacked on.

    Mr. Quesada responded that the existing structure limits what can be done with the design.

    Mr. Young said that the best solution was to not make the building more complicated.

    Commissioner Chow said that while this is a renovation to an existing building, it shouldn’t feel that way. He added that the three parts are tacked onto each other.  A formal resolution to the pieces needs to be created.  He suggested having a work session to resolve the corner.

    Commissioner Delaney requested that the signage be in multiple languages.

    Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.  Seeing none, he closed the floor to public comment.

    Motion to approve Phase 2 of Terminal 2/Boarding Area D Renovations contingent upon presenting an alternate solution for the corner of the building and the canopy: Commissioner Chow

    Vote: Unanimously approved.

  4. Crystal Springs Pump Station - Phase 2
  5. Crystal Springs Utility Control Building - Phase 1 and 2
    Tasso Mavroudis, PUC Project Manager, explained that the Crystal Springs Pump Station and the Utility Control Building would be presented together.  He said that the pump station concept was approved for Phase 1, but the Utility Control building is being presented for the first time. He introduced Mike Pierron, Architect, DPW BOA and Koa Pickering, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE.

    Mr. Pierron explained the changes to the pump station design noting that the skylights have been removed from the top of the building.  One of the goals is to provide light into the pump station.  The façade will be stucco panel with a concrete base.

    Ms. Manton commented that there is a current plan for public artwork near a walking trail on the site. 

    Mr. Pickering explained that the EIR is currently in process for the project and the plant selection is focused on restoration and reestablishment of the project site.  He noted that they will not be able to plant any replacement trees within the fence line, but have an alternate location to offset the loss.  He explained that the hydroseed palette has been specifically selected for the site.

    Commissioner Haryati asked about access to the site.

    Mr. Pickering responded that there is no physical access to the site, but it is visible.

    Mr. Pierron presented the new control building and explained that there are two concrete walls and two zinc walls in a curved modern design.  

    Commissioner Delaney asked about graffiti.

    Mr. Mavroudis responded that it will be fenced and graffiti proofed.

    Commissioner Delaney commented that she would like to see more trees.  

    Mr. Mavroudis responded that the security issues and underground pipes prevent planting trees around the buildings.

    Mr. Pickering added that there will be another ten acres of trees replanted by the PUC to offset trees lost in construction of new projects.

    Commissioner Haryati asked about the parking lot and requested that it be considered from a stormwater management point of view.

    Commissioner Chow commented that the fencing seems arbitrary in the landscape.

    Mr. Mavroudis responded that the fencing already exists but a new gate will be added in addition to fence upgrades pursuant to SFPUC security requirements.  The current fencing scheme was approved by SFPUC security and is included in the EIR.

    Commissioner Chow commented that carrying the clear story across through the portal is important for the design.  He added that he would like to see a single language developed for PUC buildings.

    Commissioner Delaney commented that the building should be rotated.

    Commissioner Chow asked if it could be pushed further away from the fence.

    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Crystal Springs Pump Station with the condition that the clear story will be continued around the building: Commissioner Haryati.

    Vote: Unanimously approved.

    The Committee requested that the Crystal Springs Utility Control Building return with more accurate site plans.

  6. Harvey Milk Plaza Improvements - Phase 1 and 2
    Andrea Aiello, Executive Director, Castro Upper Market Community Benefit District introduced Scott Cataffa, CMG Landscape Architecture, and explained that the project is responding to Commissioner comments from the September meeting.  She explained that they spoke with five artists and received three proposals. The three proposals were considered but the original design was selected as most appropriate for the site.

    Commissioner Delaney said that the proposals were not appropriate for the site, but the selected bench is also not appropriate.

    Scott Cataffa, CMG Landscape Architecture, presented the new landscape design and explained that the new plants will be low to no maintenance.  He added that it is a simple, colorful succulent palette that DPW and the Bureau of urban forestry have approved.

    Commissioner Haryati and Commissioner Delaney commented favorably on the plant choices.

    Commissioner Chow suggested that the bench be considered further.

    Ms. Aiello responded that there would likely be no bench if the Committee did not approve the original design presented. 

    Commissioner Haryati asked if the project team needed assistance in selecting a designer for the bench.

    Ms. Manton responded that the Arts Commission would need to charge the project for staff time.

    Mr. Cataffa responded that the serpentine wall is what is most interesting in the space and the bench should be a simple detail to that form.

    Commissioner Delaney commented that she would like to see the other options for the bench and would be able to assist the project in finding appropriate designers to work within the budget.

    Motion to approve Phase 1 and 2 with the contingency of presenting alternative designs for the bench: Commissioner Smith
    Vote: Unanimously approved.

  7. Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plan - Phase 1
    Daniel Wright, Architect, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Engineers and Architects explained that the plant is part of the Water System Improvement Program.  There are three buildings that will replace existing structures and there is currently no design criteria from the PUC. He presented the site plan and explained that the existing tank will be abandoned in place.  He explained that there is very little landscaping on the site, and no planned landscaping. All the trees that are removed will be replanted in another location.  He explained that there are two architectural styles on the site, from the 1960’s and 1940’s.  Above and below ground pipes and the tank will be built into the earth as much as possible. 

    Commissioner Chow asked about clearstories.

    Mr. Wright responded that there are no windows in the design. 

    Commissioner Chow said that the building will rely on the clearstory for daylight.  He commented that the design should be slightly updated with more modern interpretation of the materials.  He advised that the design be modern with the same materials as the historic structures. He added that the columns need to be addressed or removed. 

    Commissioner Chow opened the floor to public comment.  Seeing none, he closed the floor.

    Commissioner Chow and Commissioner Haryati recommended that the project be approved at the next full commission meeting.

  8. New Business: There was no new business.

  9. Adjournment: 6:35 p.m. 

vmk 2/24/09