City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

April 23, 2012

Civic Design Review Committee - April 23, 2012

An audio recording of this meeting is available online at the following address: http://www.sfgov3.org/index.aspx?page=3420

  

CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, April 23, 2012

4:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 330A

Minutes

Commissioners present: Leo Chow, Dorka Keehn, Kimberlee Stryker
Commissioners absent:
Mark Breitenberg, Cass Calder Smith,
Staff present: Tom DeCaigny, Vicky Knoop

Call to order: 4:40 p.m.

  1. Third Street Light Rail Project: 4th and Brannan Station Platform – Phase 3
    Robin Chiang, Project Architect, presented the revisions to the design since Phase 2 review including improved light fixtures and removal of a panel at the end of the canopy structure. Additionally, the artwork has been pulled away from the canopy and lighting for the artwork has been added.

    Commissioner Chow opened the floor to public comment. There was none.

    Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Third Street Light Rail Project - 4th and Brannan Station Platform: Commissioner Stryker
    Vote: Unanimously approved



  2. Kimbell Playground Renovation - Informational Presentation to address conditions from Phase 1 approval
    Dan Mauer, Project Manager, Recreation and Parks Department introduced the project and explained that the park was previously approved for Phase 1 with the condition of creating a contemporary restroom design.

    Tara Lamont, Department of Public Works explained that the park has a very tight timeline and budget and will need to use a prefabricated structure. Four designs were presented to the community and this design uses features that the community favored. The concept of the restroom is to light the corner as a beacon and deter elicit activities.

    Commissioner Chow opened the floor to public comment.

    Nancy Miller, a member of the community group Friends of Kimbell Park, explained that they have been working with the design team and look forward to this project moving forward.

    Commissioner Chow closed the floor to public comment.

    The Commissioners spoke favorably about the design.

    Commissioner Chow urged the design team to use wood for the brown roof portion of the building. He also suggested using motion-detecting lighting and natural rock for the play area.

    Mr. Mauer explained that there are safety and liability concerns with natural rock as well as maintenance issues. There will be stone used around the perimeter and as part of the landscaping.

    Mr. Mauer asked if the Committee was in favor of the color.

    Commissioner Chow said that yes, a bright, happy color is the right direction.

    The Commissioners agreed that the conditions from Phase 1 had been met, and the landscape and building should come before the Committee for Phase 2 review.
     
     
     

  3. 17th & Folsom Park - Phase 1
  4. Mary Hobson, Recreation and Parks Department, Project Manager introduced the project and gave background of the extensive community process.

    John Dennis, Landscape Architect, DPW, explained that the lot for the proposed park is slated to include housing, but the timeline and feasibility of that portion of the project are uncertain. The three main features that were most important to the Community are a community garden, water feature and gathering space. He added that the grant funding is tied to a design that was previously submitted and program elements can not be greatly adjusted. The fence is a requirement of the grant funding and the client, the Recreation and Parks department.

    Commissioner Chow opened the floor to public comment.

    Miguel Molina, PODER (People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights), expressed concern about reducing the garden space and supported a new entry at the corner.

    David Baker, a neighbor of the park, expressed concern about fencing the park and it's impact on the neighborhood. He also expressed concern about the location of the entries and providing enough seating.

    Oscar M. Grande, PODER, a community organizer, explained that the community process has been extensive and changes to the park should be vetted through the community.

    Teresa Almaguer, PODER, commented that the Alone and Mayan history of the neighborhood should be reflected in the park design.

    Alicia Briceno, PODER, encouraged planting that supports the community with gardens and fruit trees. She also commented that the neighborhood is negatively affected by environmental justice issues. (Translated by Robert Marosi)

    Edgar Molina, PODER, commented that they should not sacrifice garden space to create an entry for the future housing. He also suggested expanding the garden by removing the parking spaces in the service lot.

    Robert Marosi, PODER and a local school teacher, expressed concern about the fencing and that there are no restrooms planned for the park. He added that it would be difficult to take his students to the park without restrooms. He added that he is happy to see a design that takes education and gardening into account.

    Commissioner Chow closed the floor to public comment.

    Commissioner Keehn commented that there should be more seating, the fence should be less impactful and is in favor of the water feature.

    Ms. Hobson responded that there are successful parks in the neighborhood that have tall fences.

    Commissioner Stryker said that a restroom would benefit the park. She also commented that the fence should be less intrusive and recommended a berm on the Folsom side to mitigate the fence height. The corners of the park should be open with seating areas. She recommended using Ohlone plants to connect the park to the history and culture of the neighborhood and as an educational tool. She said that the design team should look to solutions that address several issues at once.

    Commissioner Miguel commented that the concentric circular paving design could be a place for possible integration of the Ohlone and Mayan iconography. He also expressed concern that the park was walling off the community with planting and fencing.

    Commissioner Chow thanked the community for coming to the meeting. He commented that the overall stance of the park is very insular and that the planting should not act as a wall around the park. He also noted that the shade structure should be rotated to open the 18th Street entry and turn it’s back to the service area. He agreed that there should be more more entry points to the park and plaza spaces at those entries. He suggested large rolling gates and to open the park to the community. Commissioner Chow commented that it seems like a pastoral English park and suggested the design team look to other open space and landscape traditions. He added that the service area should be reduced.

    Motion to approve Phase 1 of the 17th and Folsom Playground contingent upon moving the shade structure, reducing the service area, exploring additional entry ways, lowering the fencing, opening visual permeability from the street, and using native plants that relate to the history of Mission Creek: Commissioner Keehn
    Vote: Unanimously approved

  1. Public Comment
    There was no general public comment.
     
  2. New Business
    There was no new business.

  3. Old Business
    There was no old business.
     
  4. Adjournment: 6:05 p.m.

vmk 4/9/12