City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

August 20, 2012

Civic Design Review Committee - August 20, 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, August 20, 2012

3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70 

Minutes

Commissioners present: Leo Chow, Dorka Keehn, Kimberlee Stryker
Commissioners absent:  Cass Calder Smith

Staff present: Tom DeCaigny, Vicky Knoop

Call to order: 3:00 p.m.

  1. SFO Terminal 3, Boarding Area E Improvement Project - Informational Presentation
    Tony Breslin, SFO Design & Construction Project Manager, introduced the project and explained that he is presenting for Judi Mosqueda. He noted that the solar fins are no longer part of the design because there was negligible energy gain.

    Gary Brandau, Gensler Architects, said that since the last review, the materials and colors are more unified across the structure. The vestibules attached to the jetways will now match the color of the jetways. He presented the frit pattern for the glass.

    Commissioner Chow asked if the form of the building has changed since the last review.

    Mr. Brandau replied that it had not.

    Commissioner Chow commented that the project team has addressed the comments from Phase 2 and has fulfilled the contingencies from the previous approval.

    Commissioner Chow opened the floor to public comment, but there was none.

     

  2. San Francisco Groundwater Supply - South Windmill Well Station: Phase 2
    Tara Lamont, Interim Manager, DPW BDC, presented the site plan and explained that the small pump station is in the vicinity of the historic windmill and will reference the buildings on site. She explained the main change since the last review is the shift from copper to zinc gutters on the building. She presented the building materials.

    Martha Ketterer, Landscape Architect, presented the plant materials including hydroseed and grass pave.

    Commissioner Stryker asked about the hydroseed.

    Ms. Ketterer explained that it will be predominantly grasses.

    Commissioner Chow expressed concern about the detail around the windows. He commented that it looks very monolithic.

    Mr. Maloney explained that the windows are recessed by three inches, and the stucco finish around the windows will be smooth to provide contrast.

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

    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the San Francisco Groundwater Supply - South Windmill Well Station: Commissioner Stryker
    Vote: Unanimously approved.


     

  3. SFMTA Operator Convenience Facilities on Fitzgerald Avenue and Hampshire Street: Phase 2 and 3
    Tara Lamont, Interim Manager, DPW BDC, introduced the project and introduced the design team including Drew Howard, Project Manager, SFMTA and Alejandro Pimentel, Architectural Associate, DPW BDC.

    Ms. Lamont explained that at the last meeting, the Commissioners expressed an interest in a curved design which has been used in the current iterations. The design team is presenting two of the locations today for Phase 2 and 3 approval. She addressed the comments from the last review and explained that they are not able to combine the other street utilities into the restroom due to cost. DPW will be preparing the sites for utilities and the structures will be prefabricated.

    Commissioner Chow asked about the stucco finish and reveals.

    Mr. Pimentel explained that there will be no reveals for maintenance reasons. He also explained that there will be mesh electrical access panels.

    Commissioner Keehn asked if the mesh could be solid panel.

    Commissioner Chow commented that the project is headed in the right direction of making a simple structure, but the doors need to be simplified. He added that the color options should be explored and the materials should be more unified, preferably a metal panel.

    Mr. Howard explained that the maintenance concerns for metal are much greater than for stucco.

    Commissioner Chow opened the floor to public comment, but there was none.

    Motion to approve Phases 2 and 3 of the SFMTA Operator Convenience Facilities located at the terminal of the the #71 line at Hampshire and Cesar Chavez streets and the terminal of the #29 line at Fitzgerald Avenue and 3rd Street. The approval is contingent on presenting additional color options, unifying the materials, reducing the amount of grating and exploring using metal panel on the walls and doors: Commissioner Stryker
    Vote: Unanimously approved.

     

  4. Oscar Park/Essex Street Open Space: Informational Presentation

    Courtney Pash, Successor Agency to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, introduced the project and explained that it is a 40 acre open space beneath the new Transbay ramp which will be developed into an active public space.

    Scott Cataffa, CMG Landscape Architecture gave an overview of the project scope and history. The main goals of the project are to improve connectivity, foster community and create a destination through the passive and active recreation spaces. Options for the active areas include court sports, sculptural playgrounds, bike stations, dog runs, putting greens and other activities. Passive space concepts include gathering spaces, food truck locations, temporary art, beer gardens or temporary market areas. There is also public art funding and possible locations for artwork have been proposed.

    Commissioner Stryker commended the project team for their innovation in addressing the topography. She also said that she appreciates the integration of art into the site. She stressed that the details of sunlight and wind would impact the plants and should be carefully studied.

    Commissioner Chow commented that’s it is important that all of these spaces are looked at as a whole. There are a lot of ideas, but it comes across as episodic and there should be unifying elements. The overhead structure and columns have a huge impact on the space and are a good opportunity for art. He asked if there has been encouragement for the property owners to open to the space and turn inward toward the park. He suggested setting up an easement to encourage property owners to open inward to help activate the space. He commented that sunlight will have an impact on the layout.

    Commissioner Keehn commented that the art budget is very small and recommended allocating additional funds or seeking foundation funding. She agreed with Commissioner Chow that there should be a concept that connects the spaces.

    Commissioner Chow asked about the schedule.

    Mr. Cataffa explained that construction is slated to begin in 2015 or 2016, but the area is currently being used for staging in the construction of the Transbay Terminal, and the schedule is tied to that project.

    Director DeCaigny commented that the design team should consider 24 hour activation cycles and carefully consider the sound and air quality as they are significant challenges for the space. He agreed that the art budget is low. He added that engaging artist as early as possible into the design process would be key to the development of the public art.

  5. Transbay Folsom Streetscape Design: Phase 1
    Jamie Phillips, CMG Landscape Architecture, presented the site plan for the Folsom Streetscape Design. She explained that there will be rain gardens to intercept stormwater. Folsom will become a two way street and will maintain a bike lane in one direction. Granite pavers and curb paving will be permeable, as well as resin set gravel in tree pits. The planting in the rain gardens will be three to four feet high. She explained that the sidewalks will be integral color concrete with cast in place seat walls.

    Commissioner Stryker commented that she appreciates the pedestrian lighting. She added that the double row of trees may be too close together for the health of the trees.

    Ms. Phillips replied that the current trees on Folsom are not thriving because of the lack of soil in the tree pits, and they hope that the sufficient soil will help the trees.

    Commissioner Chow asked if this road is still considered a major arterial road for the City. He also asked about traffic calming measures. He noted that the car lanes are wide and the bike lanes seem narrow.

    Mr. Phillips explained that the long term plan is to reduce the number of lanes on Folsom Street, widen the bike lanes and provide additional biking infrastructure.

    Commissioner Chow commented that the connection to Oscar Park should be celebrated.

    Commissioner Stryker suggested adding a connecting element to each of the intersections.

    Ms. Pash explained that the permanent improvements will happen as the new developments are constructed.

    Commissioner Chow said that considering the improvements will happen over many years, there should be a requirement to plant trees that match the size and growth of those existing.

    Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Transbay Folsom Streetscape Design with the contingency to create better connections to Oscar Park and to look into the tree spacing: Commissioner Stryker
    Vote: Unanimously approved.

  6. Public Comment
    There was no general public comment.
     
  7. New Business
    There was no new business.

  8. Old Business
    There was no old business.
     
  9. Adjournment: 5:45 p.m.

vmk 9/7/12