Civic_Design_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, January 24, 2005
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present: William Meyer, Rod Freebairn-Smith, Barbara Stauffacher-Solomon, Jeannene Przyblyski
Commissioners Absent: Andrea Cochran,
Staff Present: Richard Newirth, Nancy Gonchar, Nina Dunbar, Rommel Taylor
Call To Order: 3:10
- Pier 96- Photovoltaic Panel Installation- Phase 1, 2, 3
Kimbeley Knox, Utility Specialist, San Francisco PUC stated that the SFPUC will be installing a 231 kW solar system on the south-facing stringer of the roof at Pier 96. The installation will cover 18,500 square feet of a total roof area of 32,097 square feet.
Ms. Knox stated that the installation will be visible from the southern elevation of the building. The system will be installed directly on the existing roof. She explained that the support machinery for the installation will be housed within an electric room on the interior of the building. No other architectural work will be implemented.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Przblyski asked what color the panels would be and about the public art requirement.
Ms. Knox replied that the panels would be blue. She stated that she had coordinated with Jill Manton at the Arts Commission. She also stated that this project was exempt from the art enrichment requirement as there is no significant public access to this building.
Commissioner Freebairn-Smith asked if the citizens of San Francisco will receive the State's rebate benefits. He also asked if additional equipment will be installed on the roof to handle regular washing of the PV panels. Mr. Freebairn-Smith also asked if the initial expenditure on this project would realize a cost savings at some point in the future.
Ms. Knox answered that the general population would not realize an energy rebate. She also explained that the photovoltaic panels will be washed down periodically using a standard hose. Ms. Knox stated that she did not have adequate information to provide figures on long term cost-to-investment savings.
Motion to approve Pier 96- Photovoltaic Panel Installation- Phase 1, 2, 3:Freebairn-Smith
Vote: Unanimous
- Larsen Park Sava Pool Renovation- Phase 1
Tony Leung, Project Director, Recreation and Park Department, introduced the project. He stated that this project is part of the Recreation and Parks Department's Capital Improvement Plan. He stated that the project is being funded by Proposition A, $110 million-10 year General Obligation Bond and by Proposition C, a continuation of the Open Space Fund. Mr. Leung said that the Department of Public Works Bureau of Architecture is providing project management services for the renovation. He stated that Mark Cavagnero Associates/Paulett Taggart Architects-A Joint Venture would be providing consultant design services. Mr. Leung introduced Paulett Taggart to present the schematic design proposal.
Ms. Taggart explained that the existing building has significant structural decay and will be demolished. A new building including a larger natatorium and support functions will be constructed on approximately the same footprint. She stated that the new building is pulled tighter to the southern end of the site to maximize open park space. The entry and courtyard to the new building will be located off of Wawona Street. The courtyard also provides functional space for warm-up and relaxation. She commented that the landscape was designed to work closely with the existing park setting. Ms Taggart stated that several existing Monterey pines were dying and would be replaced with new trees of the same species. She also stated that some additional trees would be planted to bolster the existing number of trees. Ms. Taggart introduced Mark Cavagnero to present the rest of the project.
Mr. Cavagnero explained that the previous building was constructed primarily of steel and wood. He stated that the humid conditions of the natatorium corrode these materials rather easily. The primary construction material for the new building will be concrete. He explained that this material has great aesthetic potential as well as high durability. Mr. Cavegnero explained that the southern facade facing Stern Grove will be comprised primarily of operable glass windows. This window wall will afford maximum light penetration into the natatorium and opportunities to expel heat from the building. Operable light monitors set into the roof structure will also provide additional ventilation of the natatorium. Mr. Cavagnero explained that a light shelf along the southern facade would provide some light control as well as act as a light shelf to bounce light further into the natatorium. Mr. Cavagnero explained that the building orientation was designed to provide both wind and solar protection for the outdoor courtyard.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Freebairn- Smith stated for the record that he is generally opposed to buildings in a public park. In his opinion, the Recreation and Park Department should seek alternative sites adjacent to the park that the buildings serve.
Commissioner Freebairn- Smith commented that the program seemed narrowly focused on lap swimming and few other related aquatic activities. Mr. Freebairn- Smith asked if the community had any desire for more expansive programming for the facility.
Ms. Taggert answered that this particular pool is used primarily for lap swimming. The priority established from the community was to maximize available lanes for lap swimming. Ms. Taggert stated that the addition of the multipurpose room, usable for meetings or birthday parties, was an attempt to expand the program without increasing the already strict budget.
Mr. Freebairn- Smith asked if additional mechanical equipment would be installed on the roof, dramatically changing the overall aesthetic of the building.
Ms. Taggert answered that a high parapet will conceal the smaller equipment that is located over the locker rooms. She stated that all other major mechanical equipment will be located underground below the service access drive at the northern end of the building.
Mr. Freebairn- Smith asked how the architects were handling rain and storm water run off from the roof. He stated that there were no visible rainwater leaders, downspouts or gutters shown in the drawings.
Ms. Taggert explained that all roof drainpipes would be concealed within a wall at the northern end of the natatorium.
Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon said that the design was excellent and was very pleased at the use of operable windows.
Commissioner Przblyski expressed concern about the wall along the eastern edge of the building blocking the view from 19th Ave. She stated that 19th Avenue is not pedestrian friendly and would be less so with the addition of a wall. She suggested investigating other traffic calming measures for that edge of the site.
Commissioner Meyer stated that the overall design was beautiful. Mr. Meyer suggested that the architects explore a livelier pattern for the tile application. He stated that the monochromatic scheme was nice but would prefer something more colorful.
Motion to approve Larsen Park Sava Pool Renovation- Phase 1: Stauffacher-Solomon
Vote: Unanimous
- Hunter's Point Shipyard Streetscape Master plan- Phase 1,2,3
Miles Stevens, principal, Stevens + Associates presented the conceptual design. Mr. Stevens stated that the project include conceptual designs for new, existing and future improvements for Parcel A in the Hunters Point Shipyard neighborhood. He said that this is the first of several parcels being developed in the former shipyard and consists primarily of residential projects. Mr. Stevens said that completely new infrastructure such as utilities and sewage lines and sidewalks will be constructed. The project will also include new paving, trees, planting, lighting, and signage and street furnishings. Mr. Stevens stated that the master plan was created in collaboration with the developer Lennar/BVHP, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), The Bayview Project Area Committee (BVPAC), the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and the Arts Commission.
Mr. Stevens explained that the proposed goals of the master plan are to provide infrastructural development and circulation patterns for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. He explained that the overall scale of the design was geared toward creating an intimate and pedestrian friendly neighborhood. Mr. Stevens stated that the information packet provided detailed information on various design specifications including plant species, street lighting and furnishings, paving patterns and signage systems.
Mr. Stevens also commented that a cultural history project would be incorporated into the design, creating points of interest at various locations throughout the entire master plan. He explained that that portion of the plan was still being designed.
Commissioner Meyer opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Meyer closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Stauffacher-Solomon stated that the proposal seemed fine. She commented that she preferred that the bending stair that leads from Coleman Street to Galvez Avenue be a straight run stair.
Commissioner Przblyski stated that she also preferred the form of a straight run stair. She felt that it would be a more clear statement about getting from one place to another.
Ms. Przblyski stated that she was pleased that the streetlights were located in a functional relationship to the tree canopies. She stated that often lights are placed without taking into account the density and height of the tree canopy, thereby reducing the amount of light hitting the streets. She also stated that she would like to see an overall master plan outlining in more detail the location of the cultural history elements. Ms. Przblyski also wanted to see a more clear area plan that could serve to map potential public art sites. Commissioner Przblyski asked what the developers contribution to public art would be.
Graztna Dwornik, landscape architect, Stevens + Associates, explained that the goal of the intent of the stair design was to create places of repose. This particular stair was not simply about getting from one point to another but more about enjoying the travel from point to point. Ms. Dwornik stated that the stairs were wide enough to be used as seating and the circular cut outs offered moments to rest and take in the view.
Commissioner Freebairn- Smith stated that he was very concerned about possibly approving a this project for a combined phase 1, 2, 3. He stated that it was imperative for the committee to review the project in a more comprehensive fashion versus just the selection of street amenities. He asked if the amenities selected for this parcel would be used when other parcels are developed. Mr. Freebairn- Smith asked how “transit first” concepts where being incorporated into the concept plan. He stated that he only saw one transit stop in the plan. Commissioner Freebairn- Smith asked if the Planning Department has made an amendments to the City’s general plan prescribing certain elements in street design and development for the southeast sector.
Commissioner Meyer said that it was important for the commissioners to limit their review to the scope outlined for the Civic Design Committee. Mr. Meyer stated that this project could not be approved today based on the issues raised. He further stated that an overall area plan needs to be submitted in order for the committee to review the project in a more comprehensive way.
- New Business
- Adjournment 5:15 p.m
Revision Date: 02-03-05
