Call To Order: 3:05 p.m.
San Joaquin Pipeline System - Phase 3
Stanley So, Architect, DPW BOA, introduced Project Manager, Tracy Cael and Project Engineer, Tedman Lee. He explained that the changes to the vault design included leveling the burm across the vault and aligning the guard rails to the vertical lines in the concrete as requested in Phase 2 review.
Motion to approve Phase 3 of the San Joaquin Pipeline System: Commissioner Delaney.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Golden Gate Branch Library - Phase 3
Todd Afflerbaugh, Paulett Taggart Architects, explained that the changes to the Phase 3 design have focused on the landscape of the trees and the planters. The proposal for replacing ten trees along Green Street and Octavia was rejected by the Bureau of Urban Forestry for seven of the ten trees. The new locations of trees aim to feature the entry and open up views to the historic building. The trees selected are red maples along the street and a ginkgo to be placed in a planter on the corner.
The Commissioners supported removing the trees and replacing them with red maples, to allow visibility of the historic building and due to the age and health of the existing trees.
The Committee agreed to write a letter of support.
Commissioner Haryati asked about rainwater harvesting on site.
Mr. Afflerbaugh responded that it had not been looked into.
Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Golden Gate Branch Library Renovation: Commissioner Chow.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Junipero Serra Historic Bell Installation - Phase 1, 2 and 3
Gary Hoy, City Architect, DPW BOA, presented for CalTrans and the Daughters of the Golden West. He explained that the project is marking El Camino Real with replicas of the bells originally erected in 1906. He presented historic site photographs of the bell in downtown San Francisco and explained that it was removed at one point and not replaced. He added that they hope to install the replacement bell as close to it’s original location as possible.
Commissioner Haryati asked about the exact location of the bell.
Mr. Hoy responded that due to the utility lines and other infrastructure immediately below the sidewalk, the location will largely be determined by an available place for it’s foundation.
Ms. Manton asked if the bell is historic or replica.
Mr. Hoy responded that the bell is original.
Commissioner Delaney requested that the website be on the signage to lead people to more information about the project.
Commissioner Haryati commented that the bell’s location should be coordinated with the upcoming renovations of Market Street.
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor.
Motion to approve Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Junipero Serra Historic Bell Installation contingent upon staff review of signage: Commissioner Delaney.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Harvey Milk Plaza Improvements - Phase 1 and 2
Andrea Aiello, Castro Central Business District, presented site photographs and explained that Harvey Milk Plaza will have benches that will mimic the snake like structure of the retaining wall. The landscape will also be renovated in the planting areas of the plaza both near the Castro flag and the stairs down to the Muni station.
Ms. Aiello explained that the Castro Central Business District has challenge grant funds that must be used before the end of the fiscal year. The grant is for $58,000 plus an additional $35,000 for the custom bench. The goal of the project is to make the Castro station a more active community space.
Commissioner Delaney asked about maintenance of the landscape.
Ms. Aiello replied that DPW will maintain the landscape.
Commissioner Delaney commented that she would like to know about the surface and materials of the bench as well as more details on the type of lighting that will be added to the area.
Ms. Manton asked if there are standards for the type of light used in different areas of the city.
Commissioner Haryati replied that there currently are not.
Commissioner Delaney commented that the plant palate should be rethought to be maintenance free. She noted that the current grass selected must be cut back each year and that the bamboo frays in the wind. Also, the globe thistle requires very specific maintenance. She requested the project return with more appropriate plant choices for the site.
Commissioner Haryati agreed that the plant choices are very important for scale, texture, and durability. She added that the plants are tall and in raised planters but should be more human scale, and rainwater harvesting should be looked into for irrigation of the site.
Ms. Aiello replied that there is existing drip irrigation.
Commissioner Delaney commented that the current irrigation will only be effective if plants with the same water needs are placed in the same locations as the current planting.
Ms. Manton suggested the Landscape Architect attend the next meeting.
Commissioner Chow suggested using a more unique bench or sculptural piece in the plaza to add desirability to the site. He suggested hiring an artist to do the benches adding that it is often a similar cost.
Ms. Manton offered a list of appropriate artists for the project team to look in to.
Commissioner Smith commented that this type of project would have been good for an open competition.
The Committee requested that the project return in October with more appropriate plant choices, options for the bench, and an investigation into rainwater harvesting on site.
Chinese Recreation Center - Landscape Presentation
Mary Hobson, Project Director, Recreation and Park Department explained that the Chinese Recreation Center has returned to present a revised landscape plan per the Committee’s recommendation. She introduced John Thomas, Landscape Architect, DPW BOA and Michael Pierron, Architect, DPW BOA.
Mr. Thomas presented the revised site plan for the project. The landscape concept is to view outdoor settings as multigenerational places and encourage use by adults and children. He explained that this project had an opportunity to coordinate with existing facilities in Chinatown to create a space that does not replicate other recreational areas in the community. Some of the existing trees will remain, and additional trees will be added to the landscape design to create a grove effect. He added that the fall zones from the play equipment limit the placement of raised planters. The plant palate has been reviewed with the maintenance staff and they are comfortable maintaining the proposed plants. He added that alterations to the ground plane include accenting the diagonals with circles and lines.
Commissioner Chow asked about the planting around the base of the trees.
Mr. Thomas replied that it will be star jasmine and ficus.
Commissioner Delaney commented that the surface material will fade, and colors should be selected with that in mind. She asked about curving the corners of the planter walls.
Mr. Thomas replied that there will be a two inch radius but they wanted to keep a clean modern aesthetic.
Commissioner Delaney asked about using plants that have an educational component.
Mr. Thomas responded that he agrees that educational planting should be more emphasized, but that this site may not be the right place for it.
Commissioner Haryati suggested incorporation of something that speaks to the daily life of people using the space.
Commissioner Smith summarized that the landscape had improved and the contingency from the previous meeting is now met. He said the design team should use the comments from this meeting and looks forward to seeing the design in Phase 3.
Cayuga Playground and Clubhouse Improvements - Phase 1
Marvin Yee, Project Manager, Recreation and Park Department, introduced Landscape Architect Lizzy Hirsch, Architect Richard Gee, Barbara Fugate and Josie Porter of the Cayuga Improvement Association.
He explained that the project originally intended to upgrade and improve existing resources, but the cost of renovation was greater than a new building. The project will construct a new clubhouse, playground and courts. He added that there is community support for the architecture of the new clubhouse.
Ms. Hirsch explained that the site is three acres and sits between Highway 280 and Alemany Boulevard and at the end of Cayuga Street. She presented site photographs and explained that the major features of the park are the sculptures by Demetrio Braceros, a retired Department of Recreation and Parks gardener at Cayuga Park. The current plan will remove the sculptures before construction begins and preserve some of the artwork. She explained that Mr. Braceros worked at the location for over 25 years and created 387 wood sculptures. He retired in 2008. Originally none of the work was painted, but he began to paint in the past few years in an attempt to preserve the wood.
Ms. Hirsch explained that there is an underground creek is on the site, which causes many draining problem to the field area. Current plans will surface the creek and let the water flow through the design and reveal it at collections points as it runs off the site. The current site plan will be take over the end of Cayuga street with a pedestrian Boulevard and integrate the various spaces of the park. The basketball court will be moved to the edge nearest to Bart and the children’s playground will be placed in the center.
Mr. Gee explained that the building is part of the whole space of yards, fields and gardens and functions as the lobby to the other areas. The multipurpose room is the key space in the building and the other rooms support this space. This is signaled on the exterior with a sloped green roof. The tower element punctuates the end of the street and a parapet around the roof will conceal equipment over the kitchen. The rainwater is reused from the roof for the plants on the ground plane. The design philosophy is to create a building that is a canvas for the landscaping.
Commissioner Smith asked if the design team met with the sculptor about the park renovation.
Ms. Hirsch responded that they had, and the artist did not have strong opinion on where his art is located.
Commissioner Smith commented that the building should respond to the site. The sculptures are ephemeral, weird, and magical, and the building should respond to those qualities. He added that they should have come in much earlier in the design process.
Commissioner Delaney agreed that the park should honor Mr. Braceros. She asked about the surrounding community.
Ms. Fugate responded that the neighborhood began to turn around when Mr. Braceros began taking care of the park.
Commissioner Delaney commented that a playing field may not be well suited to this park because of the drainage issues.
Ms. Hirsch commented that the she has the same concerns with the ball field and plans to surface and direct the water on the site.
Ms. Manton commented that the Arts Commission is not taking the sculptures into the collection but helping but to catalog the work.
Commissioner Chow commented that he appreciated the thorough presentation, but there should be less separation of the park and the urban space.
Commissioner Delaney commented Mr. Braceros should be consulted for the design of the playground if possible.
Commissioner Smith commented that he would like to see a transition from residential neighborhood to magical space. He requested that the design team return with a more conceptual strategy.
Commissioner Delaney suggested the project be opened up to public competition.
Commissioner Smith commented that the floor plan is rational and makes sense, but the site strategy and building design need to work together. He said he would like to see alternative options that express how different design directions have been explored. He added that the big ideas of the site design should be clarified and questioned the use of the green roof.
Commissioner Chow said that it’s a nice design, but it isn’t appropriate for the site.
Commissioner Delaney agreed that it was well thought out and the interior works well, but the exterior design needs more thought.
Mr. Gee responded that they have seven different building designs. He added that the community pushed for the green roof.
Commissioner Haryati added that the site needs to be created with an eye to the buffer zones. She added that if the corner is acting as a gateway, it should be more inviting and say something about the site.
Commissioner Chow requested that the design team better explain the integration of the landscape and the building.
The Commissioners agreed that this is a complex site and the macro zoning is okay, but could be improved. They requested that the design team return with design concepts and alternative designs that have been explored.
Sunset Playground Renovation Project - Phase 2
Dan Mauer, Project Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks, introduced the project team including Paul Travis, Architect, DPW BOA, Douglas Ullman, Architect, DPW BOA, and John Thomas, Landscape Architect, DPW BOA.
Mr. Travis explained that the existing mural has been approved for removal from the site and the restroom area has changed since the last review.
Mr. Ullman presented the color scheme and materials selection. He explained that there will be a cool roof with neutral grey green shingles. The glass glazing in the clubhouse will be a new curtain wall with copper flashing and the gym will be painted stucco. The changes to the design of the awning include a darker color and increasing the size of the columns and decreasing the size of the canopy. The connector between the two buildings has been minimized to maintain the aesthetic of two separate buildings.
Mr. Thomas gave a brief overview of the landscape and site plan. He explained that there will be improved walkways to and from the ball fields. The area north of the gym will be developed into a rain garden in which water runoff from the gymnasium will be used for irrigation. He explained that the ground plane design will build off of the orthogonal shape of the building. There will also be additional planting.
Commissioner Smith opened the floor to Public Comment. Seeing none, he closed the floor.
Commissioner Haryati asked about the water flow from the rain garden area and where it will be directed.
Mr. Thomas responded that they are looking into using the water to irrigate the fields on site.
Commissioner Smith commented that the roofing should use a flatter shingle.
Commissioner Delaney commented that there is a envelope of concrete around the building that should be reduced.
Commissioner Smith left the meeting at 6:26.
Commissioner Delaney suggested looking into using decomposed granite as an alternative to concrete. She suggested that ADA guidelines should be looked into to allow for accessible and permeable materials to be used.
Commissioner Chow suggested marking the entrances with trees and making Lawton Street the promoted frontage. He also suggested enhancing the contrast of the colors used on the entry.
Mr. Ullman presented an alternative color scheme to which Commissioner Smith commented that the polycarbonate could be lighter. He added that the glass should be as light as possible without causing problems for the light in the interior of the gymnasium and the trim colors should be dark.
Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Sunset Playground renovation project with the condition to maximize water capture onsite, research alternatives to paved surfaces, evaluate the street planting, and consider adding contrast to the color palette of the entry.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
New Business
There was no new business.
Adjournment: 6:35 p.m.
vmk correction 12/21/09
