January 23, 2012

CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Monday, January 23, 2012
2:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

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

Call to order: 2:10 p.m.

1. Staff Report and Discussion of the Civic Design Process and Requirements for 2012
   Vicky Knoop, Program Manager, Civic Design Review presented the Civic Design Review Guidelines and proposed changes for 2012. The commissioners discussed requiring a conceptual phase review prior to phase 1 and ways to encourage projects to present earlier in the design process.
    
2. Capital Planning Presentation
   Brian Strong, Director of Capital Planning for San Francisco, gave a presentation on the Capital Planning process including upcoming bond measures and large scale projects.

   Commissioner Stryker asked Mr. Strong if the projected rise in sea level has been included in future funding sources and design.

   Mr. Strong replied that the City is working with the other bay area counties on a regional approach. This includes creating flood plains and other mitigation measures.
   

   
   
   
3. North Beach Branch Library - Phase 3
   Marsha Maytum, Principle, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, presented the site plan for the park and library. She then explained that the proposed master plan includes the closure of a block of Mason Street to create more green space and a pedestrian walkway. This section of Mason Street and the remainder of the master plan will be reviewed at a later date, and a temporary landscape plan for Mason street is included in this proposal. Ms. Maytum explained that the building has not changed since it’s last approval. The major features include custom tiles, aluminum, and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

   Commissioner Stryker asked if the olive trees with thrive in this location.

   Ms. Maytum replied that there are large planting wells and the department of Recreation and Parks has approved the plant list.

   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.

   Julie Christian, Friends of Joe DiMagio Playground, expressed concern for the current color and materials selections which differ from those originally shown to the community. She presented photographs from a public display at the library which has a lighter tile selection.

   Commissioner Breitenberg asked Ms. Maytum about the changes to the color.

   Ms. Maytum explained that the renderings presented today are those that were presented during Phase 2. The original tile selection from Phase 1 review was unavailable due to the cost.

   Commissioner Breitenberg and Stryker spoke in favor of the current color selections.

   Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Keehn asked to see options for lighter color tiles.

   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the North Beach Branch Library with the contingency that lighter tile colors are considered and reviewed: Commissioner Smith
   Vote: Unanimously approved.
   

   
   
   
4. Daggett Park - Phase 1?
   Chris Guillard, Principal, CMG Landscape Architecture representing Archstone and Steve Wertheim, Planner, Citywide Policy and Analysis, Planning Department, gave an overview of the project and explained that the planning process for the surrounding area. The design of the park has been presented to the community and will include public art.

   Mr. Guillard explained that Daggett Park is intended to provide a needed small scale community open space. The park will have two large grass areas with a dog run towards one side. There will be a garden edge that will also work as a rain garden and a tilted lawn feature that will create an informal stage area at it’s base. The pentastep is a sculptural element that can also be used as a seating and play area. The design team is looking into options to add an acoustic element to this feature.

   Commissioner Smith commented that he’d prefer if there was not a road through the edge of the park.

   Commissioner Stryker commented favorable on the design. She asked about drainage and watering systems.

   Mr. Guillard explained that the site has a larger in ground filtration area and the dog run will use synthetic turf, which is the most maintainable dog run surface. There will be four types of trees on site, that have yet to be selected, but will be large scale park trees.

   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment, and there was none.

   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Daggett Park project: Commissioner Smith
   Vote: Unanimously approved
    

5. Raymond S. Kimbell Playground Renovation - Phase 1
   Dan Mauer, Project Manager, Recreation and Parks Department, explained that this project is part of the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. The design of the park takes into consideration the needs of several neighboring community buildings including a high school, elementary school and a methadone clinic. The fields, which are the largest part of the park, were recently renovated and the remainder of the park is now proceeding with a redesign and renovation. The project consists of landscape rehabilitation, relocating the children’s play area, and replacing the small clubhouse that is no longer used with a free standing restroom. Additionally, the entry plaza, bleachers, and meadow will be renovated. Hamilton Recreation Center, which is directly across from Kimbell Playground, has a bright contemporary play area, so this park will have a more natural wood play area to reflect the forest like park. The proposed restroom is similar to those already approved by the Civic Design Review Committee and includes storage space. There will also be outdoor adult exercise and play equipment.

   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.

   A community member representing the Friends of Kimbell Park, said that the group is very happy with the design for the park.
     

   
   A community member expressed concern for delaying the progress of the park.

   A community member expressed a concern about the safety of the park and would like any structures to have limited openings, overhangs or hiding places.
   

   
   Commissioner Smith closed the floor to public comment.

   Commissioner Breitenberg expressed concern that the restroom is not the right style for an urban park.

   Commissioner Smith agreed.

   Mr. DeCaigny commented that the space should have more transparency, light and air. He added that the restroom design looks more like a bunker.

   Mr. Mauer expressed a strong interest in using the traditional design.

   Commissioner Keehn commented that the committee has approved two standardized restroom designs for the Recreation and Parks department, and the Committee is recommending the contemporary design.

   Commissioner Breitenberg commented that the design team should be cautious about making the play area too busy.

   Commissioner Stryker asked if the rocks could be real rocks instead of synthetic. She added that she appreciated the modeling of the meadow. She asked the design team to explore if expanding the tree pits.

   Mr. DeCaigny commented favorably on the inner generational integration for play throughout the park. He added that the design team should use the great work around functionality and model the new form based on community input.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Kimbell Playground renovation on the condition that the standardized Recreation and Parks contemporary restroom design is used as a basis for the restroom, real rock is used instead of synthetic, the size of the tree pits is considered and the design team looks into the layout of the equipment in the play areas: Commissioner Stryker
   Vote: Unanimously approved
    
   

6. McCoppin Hub Plaza - Phase 1
   Ken Rich, Project Director, SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Seth Boor, Architect, Boor Bridges Architecture presented the project and explained the changes since the last review.

   Mr. Boor said that the design has been modified to unify the paving across the site and altered the grades to create a larger flat space on the back of the site for seating. The seat wall is 8” in depth and there will also be accessible seating.

   Susan Misner, Mayor’s office on Disability, commented that this design is one of the more accessible small parks and is a good example of universal design.

   Commissioner Smith commented that the food trucks are not guaranteed to be around in a few years, but recommended that the site’s long term plan continue a model for fostering local small business.

   Mr. Boor replied that the long term view is to have a pavilion for community use with a commercial kitchen available for rent.

   Commissioner Smith commented that the benches need to be further developed.

   Commissioner Keehn suggested that they hire an artist to design the benches.

   Commissioner Stryker suggested that the sidewalk planting tie into the plaza to unify the space. She also suggested using a texture on the vehicle ramps.

   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.

   Lynn Valenti, a resident, commented favorably on the design and expressed concern with the highway off ramp.

   Commissioner Smith closed the floor to public comment.

   Commissioner Smith commented that the details need to be really good and the design team should create ways to draw people into the site. He asked them to focus on hand rails and engage people tactiley.

   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the McCoppin Hub Plaza: Commissioner Smith
   Vote: Unanimously approved 
     
   

7. Central Subway: Chinatown Station - Phase 3
   Mona Tamari, Project Architect, Kwan Henmi Architects explained how the contingencies from the last review have been addressed in the new design. The columns at the entrance have been reduced and limited to the glass enclosure. The design has been simplified and the signage has been redesigned. The rolling door has been tucked into the ceiling so it’s not visible unless rolled down. The interior bench has been made more symmetrical, but the arm rests could not be removed as they are required by the Mayor’s Office on Disability. The hand rails in the paid area and have simplified and made lighter. She explained that a major change on the platform level is the addition of glass smoke tunnels around the stairs and escalators.

   Commissioner Smith asked if the art panels could wrap around to the Washington Street facade of the building.

   Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.

   Cindy Wu, Chinatown Community Development Center, spoke in favor of the work the design team did with the community.

   Commissioner Smith closed the floor to public comment.

   Commissioner Stryker commented that the handrails and cane detection rail need to be more seamless.

   Ms. Tamari explained that after reviewing several variations, this was the least intrusive.

   Commissioner Keehn left the meeting at 5:35 p.m.

   Commissioner Smith commented that the rail could be a bit more noticeable, but be made more beautifully. He suggested that the hand rail be continued round the corner with a reduced number of posts and a more gestural line.

   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Central Subway Chinatown Station on the condition that the handrails on the concourse level are revised: Commissioner Smith
   Vote: Unanimously approved  
    
   

8. Mission Dolores Park Rehabilitation Project - Phase 1
   Jacob Gilchrist, Project Manager, Recreation and Parks Department introduced the project and the design team including Susan Aitken, Architect, Hamilton + Aitken Architects and Aditya Advani, Landscape Architect.

   Mr. Advani presented the site plan and explained the design process. Accessibility is a key to the renovation and the park will have an additional path and two new restroom facilities. The path will have an edging of permeable pavers.

   Ms. Aitken presented the design of the new buildings. The operations building will be hidden behind a green berm and under the basketball court. The south restroom will be tucked into the hill side so only the front is visible. She explained that the new north restroom design is a bit more contemporary and responds to the park's topography.

   Commissioner Smith commented that the traditional green roof may not survive, and if maintenance is an issue, artificial turf or a more wild plant palette may be alternatives. He added that the slope of the roof and the overhang should be should be examined.

   Commissioner Stryker commented that she is in favor of the changes to the path design. She asked the design team to look at the entry aprons on Dolores Street more carefully.

   Commissioner Smith suggested that the grills and infills of the handrails tie to those used in the restroom designs.
   
   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Dolores Park Renovation: Commissioner Smith
   Vote: Unanimously approved
    
    
   

9. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
10. New Business
    There was no new business.

11. Old Business
    There was no old business.
     
    
12. Adjournment: 6:12 p.m.

vmk 2/27/12