Civic_Design_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, March 20, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present: Andrea Cochran, Leonard Hunter, John Kriken, Beverly Prior
Commissioners Absent: Jeannene Przyblyski
Staff Present: Richard Newirth, Nancy Gonchar, Rommel Taylor
Call To Order: 3:05 p.m.
- Skyview Aquavista Pump Station
Phase
Howard Fung, Project Manager, SFPUC, stated that this project was part of a system wide capital improvement project being implemented by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Fung stated that they are returning to the Civic Design Committee to address issues raised at the last meeting:
1. Community Input
2. Fence Material
3. Planting Selection
Commissioner Cochran asked if there was more documentation to support the community meeting on September 19, 2005.
Mr. Fung stated that at that time there was no major expression of interest in the project by the various community groups.
Maureen Barry, Coordinator of Citizen Involvement, SFPUC, explained that there were meetings specifically with the Midtown Terrace Group. She said that no minutes were taken at this meeting, but that there wasn’t any major opposition to the project.
Commissioner Cochran expressed concern about the timing of the meeting in relation to when the project first came to the Civic Design Committee in October of 2005.
Ms. Barry stated that if there isn’t any major community opposition to a project, the team moves forward with the design. She said that only sporadic comments had been received after the September meeting.
Commissioner Cochran asked about the tree planting strategy and the fence material. Ms. Cochran expressed concern about the rocky soil at the rear of the site and whether trees would successfully take root in that type of condition. She also said that a 1-year warranty does not seem sufficient for this particular topography.
Brian Gatter, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE Landscape Division, said that he was not that concerned about the trees being able to survive at the back of the site because there are already existing trees on the hillside. He also said that the steep slope should provide adequate drainage and runoff for any new trees. Mr. Gatter said that they could incorporate a system that will encourage additional lateral drainage.
Mr. Fung said that the material selected for the fence was based on security requirements.
Commissioner Kriken asked if the same fencing material will be used alongside the property lines adjacent to existing homes.
Mike Pierron, Architect, SFPUC, stated that the material will be the same, but that metal slates will be used at the front of the site to enhance its appearance from the street.
Mr. Fung stated that he can extend the warranty period to 2 years to ensure that the plants establish themselves.
Commissioner Cochran said that a warranty extension would be helpful. She suggested that the team look at planting two types of trees to increase the chance of success. Ms. Cochran also suggested that the specifications call for the maximum size planter holes possible.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Alice Bartholomew read a letter in opposition to the project from Sue Scott, a resident of the neighborhood.
Charles Hermann spoke in opposition to the project. He stated that he represented 50 residents of the neighborhood who are also in opposition to the project. Mr. Herman said that the SFPUC:
1. Did not provide adequate information about the project, which hindered accurate community input.
2. Did not hold community meetings in a timely fashion.
3. Has not proposed a design that fits with the character of the neighborhood.
Mr. Hermann stated that he wants the Arts Commission to rescind the Phase 1 and 2 approvals granted to this project.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Prior asked if Arts Commission meetings are publicly noticed.
Nancy Gonchar, Deputy Director, Arts Commission, said that all Commission meetings are open to the public and are noticed according to the Sunshine Ordinance. The meeting notices are posted at the Arts Commission office, on the SFAC website and at the Main Library.
Commissioner Prior asked if this project required a permit from the Department of Building Inspection.
Mr. Fung said that this project is exempt from DBI review. He also said that the neighbors were notified according to standard notification procedures.
Ms. Barry stated that the impromptu meeting mentioned in Ms. Scott’s letter was not listed as a public meeting in the documents presented to the Arts Commission. Ms. Barry emphasized that this pump station is a key piece of infrastructure vital to the functionality and safety of the surrounding neighborhood.
Commissioner Cochran asked Mr. Hermann if he had any supporting documents expressing the concern of the other 50 people mentioned.
Mr. Hermann stated that he could get letters from each of them.
Ms. Barry explained that the additional 50 residents Mr. Hermann and Ms. Scott were referencing did not have objections to the project, but questions. Ms. Barry said that the SFPUC addressed most of the issues.
- Mission Bay Park 8 Pump Station 4
Phases 1 and 2
Amy Neches, Senior Project Manager, San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, stated that this project was the third of six pump stations proposed for Mission Bay. Ms. Neches introduced the project team to present the design concept for the pump station.
Terrence Lee, Landscape Architect, EDAW, explained that the pump station would be situated at the southwest section of Park 8.
Amy Elliot, Principal, Tom Elliot Fisch Architects, presented the design concept for the building. Ms. Elliot explained that this pump station was different from the previous two pump stations reviewed in that the building only housed electrical relay equipment. She stated that the architectural design in terms of form and material was similar to the other new pump stations in Mission Bay.
Ms. Neches said that community presentation was made to the Mission Creek Advisory Committee and The House Boat Owners Association. No objects were expressed at these meetings.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Motion to approve Mission Bay Park 8 Pump Station 4 Phases 1 and 2: Cochran
Vote: Unanimously approved
- James Rolph Clubhouse and Playground Renovation
Phase 1
Nelson Szeto, Project Architect, DPW BOA, explained that he had made modifications based on the comments of the last Civic Design Review meeting. He said that the shape of the soffit was changed from a rectangular shape to a more organic curvilinear form. Mr. Szeto also stated that new colors were selected to be more dynamic and eye-catching. He also said that the French doors along Hampshire Street were replaced with a commercial grade storefront door system. He presented a materials board that represented the material and color selections.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran said that the curvilinear soffit looked out of place in relation to the rest of the geometry of the building.
Commissioner Prior felt that the new soffit and colors called too much attention to the building.
Commissioner Kriken stated that he would like to see a more slender roof profile and that the green color does not work well with the other colors proposed for the building.
Commissioner Cochran summarized the three issues the architects should address:
1. Design a more elegant cover for the roll-up door machinery or simply eliminate the cover altogether.
2. Explore architectural signage to indicate the use of the building.
3. Explore other color options for the exterior façade.
- Junipero Serra Playground and Clubhouse Renovation
Phase 2
Jorge Alfaro, Project Architect, DPW BOA, explained that he had made modifications to the design based on the last Civic Design Review. Mr. Alfaro stated that he simplified the roof form, incorporated a cool roof system to comply with Title 24 Energy requirements and revised the color scheme.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Prior asked if the floor plan had been modified.
Mr. Alfaro said that the floor plan had been reduced based on a reduction in their budget.
Commissioner Kriken asked about the variety of expressions of windows.
Mr. Alfaro said that he wanted to convey a sense of layers by using a curtain wall system on the ends of the building and punched openings along the sides.
Commissioner Prior expressed concern about the proportions of the curtain wall system on the north and south facades.
Commissioner Cochran stated that she liked the color scheme.
Commissioner Hunter agreed with Commissioner Prior that the window proportions should be studied further.
Motion to approve Junipero Serra Playground and Clubhouse Renovation
Phase 2 contingent upon extending the windows closer to the roof line as budget permits: Cochran
Vote: Unanimously approved
- Palo Alto Pump Station
Phase 1
Emily Sandoval, Project Manager, SFPUC introduced the project. Ms. Sandoval stated that this was one of 77 proposed new projects that is part of a systemwide capital improvement campaign. She said that the Palo Alto Pump station is a 50 year old facility and is subject to failure. Ms. Sandoval explained that the first public outreach meeting was held in October of 2005 and there have been 4 meetings since. The meetings included 5 neighborhood associations. Ms. Sandoval stated that the SFPUC has established a good working relationship with the surrounding community and has the support of the community for this project.
Stanley So, Project Architect, DPW BOA, said that the site is bounded by dense forest and high-end residential properties. Mr. So stated that the design directly responds to the expressed comments of the neighbors:
1. Make the building invisible.
2. Minimize building frontage.
3. Break up the scale of the building.
4. Provide off-street parking.
Martha Ketterer, Landscape Architect, DPW BOE Landscape Division, explained that the planting strategy was to bring in mature trees to immediately screen the building from the street.
Commissioner Cochran opened the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Cochran closed the floor to public comment.
Commissioner Prior stated that she was glad that there were presentations to the community and that there was community support for the project. Ms. Prior asked if there was a requirement for vehicular access to the tanks. She also asked if the retaining wall could also function as the back wall of the building.
Mr. So stated that vehicular access to the tank itself was not required. There is a driveway to pull a truck into the facility and then the maintenance personnel walk to the actual tank. Mr. So stated that they had explored using the rear retaining wall as the back wall but this would have increased the bulk of the building.
Commissioner Kriken said that he supported the design decision to twist the driveway away from the street frontage.
Commissioner Hunter stated that he liked the organic geometry and applauded the collaboration with the neighbors.
Motion to approve Palo Alto Pump Station Phase 1: Cochran
Vote: Unanimously approved
- San Francisco International Airport Secure Connector
Phase 2
Will Kwan, Project Architect, DPW BOA, explained that the atrium space had been eliminated due to modifications recommended by the structural engineer. Instead of an open atrium space, the escalator will be a separate structure set back from the face of the causeway.
Irene Aquino, Architectural Assistant, DPW BOA, presented the revised window patterns. Ms. Aquino also presented the materials and color selections for the project.
Motion to approve San Francisco International Airport Secure Connector Phase 2: Cochran
Vote: Unanimously approved
- New Business
- Adjournment: 5:40 p.m.
Revision Date 03/31/06
