City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

June 18, 2012

Civic Design Review Committee - June 18, 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, June 18, 2012

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

Minutes

Commissioners present: Cass Calder Smith, Mark Breitenberg, Leo Chow, Dorka Keehn, Kimberlee Stryker
Commissioners absent: none

Staff present: Tom DeCaigny, Vicky Knoop

Call to order: 3:00 p.m.

Commissioner Smith announced that the Staff Report would be heard later in the agenda at 4 p.m.

  1. San Francisco Groundwater Supply - South Windmill Well Station: Phase 1
    Tara Lamont, Interim Manager, DPW BDC explained that this project is part of the Local Groundwater Supply project by the PUC. This site has two historic windmills near the proposed location and the community supports a design that is sympathetic to the existing historic buildings, without being an inviting presence on site. The community was also interested in restoring vegetation to an adjacent area that is currently a storage yard. The design precedent for these new Golden Gate Park water facilities does not fit the historic context and community requirements, and DPW has created a new design specifically for this site.

    Ms. Lamont explained that a large portion of the wall will need to be removable every five to ten years for replacement or maintenance of the well equipment. She presented the design progression and concepts.

    Commissioner Breitenberg asked about materials.

    Ms. Lamont explained that the main materials will be slate and stucco.

    Commissioner Miguel thanked the project team for the community outreach.

    Commissioner Chow commented that the detailing of the building should be done in a modern way.

    Commissioner Smith asked about the shape of the peaked roof.

    Ms. Lamont said that there is little to no maintenance for PUC facilities, and the peaked roof will have fewer maintenance concerns than a flat roof.

    Commissioner Chow asked about the base of the windmill.

    Andrew Maloney, Archiect, DPW BDC, responded that it is board form concrete. The well station will be poured in place concrete and the Kalwall will be fiberglass.

    Commissioner Stryker asked about groundwater recharge.

    Martha Ketterer, Landscape Architect, DPW BDC said that there is an existing ground water recharge swale. There are also grass pavers and other permeable paving which will accommodate for the maintenance vehicles and any future recreation use of the area.

    Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.

    Kathy Howard, Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance, spoke in favor of the proposed design.

    Kathleen Stern thanked for the Committee for support of a structure that is respectful of the design of the historic windmills.

    Nancy Wuerfel, Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance, spoke in favor of the proposed design and the future development of the recreation space on the site.

    Yope Posthumus spoke in favor of the current design but noted concern about the copper downspouts as a theft target.

    Greg Miller spoke in favor of the design and the creation of new park space.

    Ray Holland spoke in favor of the design and thanked the water department for their continued work to preserve the west end of the park.

    Commissioner Smith closed the floor to public comment.

    Commissioner Smith remarked that the copper could be a theft target, and the design team should look into other options such as zinc.

    Motion to approve Phase 1 of the San Francisco Groundwater Supply—South Windmill Well Station: Commissioner Smith
    Vote: Unanimously approved

  2. Bayview Opera House - ADA and Plaza Improvements: Phase 2
    Debrah Friedman, Project Manger, introduced the project team, Amy Eliot, Tom Eliot Fisch, Architect and Walter Hood, Hood Design, Landscape Architect.

    Mr. Hood gave an overview of the approach which is to activate all sides of the Bayview Opera House. In response to comments during the last review, they are looking to reduce the size of the walkway pillars to eight inches to minimize their impact. He presented the materials which include wood, steel, and Tnemec painted metal to match the steel. He presented the lighting plans for the site and explained that the planting has not changed since Phase 1. He presented the progression of the railing design and walkway materials. He added that since the last meeting, the walkway has been turned to be parallel to the building.

    Commissioner Breitenberg commented favorably on the design of the walkway.

    Commissioner Smith suggested using a fascia where the walkway meets the railing so that it becomes one piece. He commented that the planting between the building and the walkway should be tall.

    Commissioner Chow said that the overall site is coming together well. He noted that given the simplicity of the building, the bridge somehow feels a bit industrial. He asked if there is an opportunity to have the bridge relate to the fence. He recommended they simplify and minimize the walkway.

    Commissioner Stryker suggested a light open branch tree, such as a vine maple, for the space between the building and the walkway.

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

    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Bayview Opera House—ADA and Plaza Improvements with the condition that the development of the bridge design and model are presented prior to Phase 3 review: Commissioner Stryker
    Vote: Unanimously approved

    Commissioner Smith announced that the Staff Report would be heard out of order.

  3. Staff Report
    Vicky Knoop, Civic Design Review Program Manger, presented the revised draft guidelines.
     
  4. SFO Replacement Airport Traffic Control Tower and Integrated Facility: Phase 2
    Robert Steel, Senior Project Designer, HNTB Arhcitecture introduced the project and gave a brief overview of the comments from the last meeting.

    Alejandro Ogata, Project Designer, HNTB Architecture presented the site and conditions including the views to the airfield from the tower. He presented the development of the design which responds to the functional needs of the tower.

    Mr. Steel presented the floor plans, sections, and elevations. The new elements on the drawing include antennae and lightning protection on the roof that will be designed by the FAA. Lightning conduction lines are required by FFA to be on the outside of the structure and have been matched to the lines of the panels. The main feature of the tower is the ‘bite’ which will have a darker color on the interior for emphasis.

    Mr. Ogata gave an overview of the facility at the base of the the tower. The facility will be mainly used for FAA activities and will include a garden area for employees that will address wind and noise issues.

    Commissioner Smith commented that the cab on the top of the tower seems like it was added on.

    Commissioner Miguel asked about the lightning wires on the outside of the tower.

    Mr. Steel responded that the cables will be as integrated as possible into the score lines between panels.

    Commissioner Chow commented that there is a very nice overall sculptural form. He said that they will need to look at all of the transitions in the design. He added that the placement of the louvers currently looks functional, and should be considered as part of the sculptural form.

    The commissioners agreed that the handrail atop the tower should be solid panel. They asked the design team to look into the transitions between the pieces of the design including the tower neck and cab. They also agreed that the exposed truss should be more in line with the rest of the design and possibly covered.

    Motion to approve Phase 2 of the San Francisco International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower and Integrated Facility with the contingency that there be a work session prior to Phase 3 to look into alternatives for the exposed truss, create a more solid railing on the top edge of the tower, and examine the placement of louvers as they relate to the patterns on the exterior of the tower: Commissioner Smith
    Vote: Unanimously approved

     

  5. SFMTA Operator Convenience Facilities: Phase 1 and 2
    Andrew Howard, Project Manager, SFMTA gave an overview of the changes to the design since the last review. The selected prefabricated restroom design has been changed to a single unit with one door that opens to a wooden platform and is sited in a parking lane on the street. A platform has been added for level entry and to ensure sidewalk clearance. Based on the comments from the last review, they have looked into bulb outs, platforms or parklettes to tie the restrooms to the sidewalk and off of the street, and are presenting a wooden platform solution.

    Commissioner Keehn asked about the budget limitations for the project related to landscape, and recommended speaking with Plant SF for greening opportunities.

    Mr. Howard responded that there is no budget for greening. He added that the more that is done for each restroom means that fewer restrooms can be built.

    Commissioner Keehn asked why they aren’t using the City’s standard JCDecaux restroom.

    Mr. Howard responded that purchase cost and maintenance cost are higher.

    Commissioner Miguel recommended looking into the prefabricated restrooms that are used in the National Parks.

    Commissioner Breitenberg commented that on a large scale this isn’t the best solution and that permanent restrooms would be more desirable, but if this is the only solution, there are better prefabricated options.

    Commissioner Smith opened the floor to public comment.

    Eric Williams, President of TWU 250A said that adequate restroom facilities have been an ongoing issue for over ten years, and a matter of health for the drivers who do not have the opportunity to use a restroom facility for several hours.

    Ron Mitchell, TWU 250A, said that there are 2200 operators and one third are women. He added that the problem of insufficient restroom facilities has not been addressed in his 25 years with the agency.

    Ronald D. Austin, Vice President Local TWU 250A, said that this is a hideous design. He said that the lack of thoughtful design or innovation doesn’t show respect to the operators or the neighborhoods where these will be located. While TWU 250A had presented this structure to SFTMA, this is their first time seeing SFMTA's interpretation of the design and siting. He added that there is a sense of urgency around this process, and it is an urgent need, but there should be more input from the operators and neighborhood constituents to create a better design.

    Sabrina Johnson, SFMTA Transit Operator, said that the proposed siting is dangerous and will hinder local business. She expressed concern for possible traffic accidents with a facility that is located on the street and noted that some restrooms will be located in loading zones currently used by local businesses for deliveries. She urged the design team to do better.

    Rene Janes, SFMTA Transit Operator, explained that many women currently take days off each month because there are not adequate and available facilities. She urged that the SFMTA find a better, safer, more sanitary solution.

    Commissioner Smith closed the floor to public comment.

    Commissioner Breitenberg said that the structures should not be located on the street. He recommended finding near by sites that are off the road for safety and the benefit of the neighborhood.

    Commissioner Smith asked if the facility design and locations had been presented to the communities where they will be located and the operators that will use them.

    Mr. Howard replied that they had not.

    The Commissioners asked that the SFMTA look into other prefabricated options, siting locations and to work with the drivers and the community to find site specific solutions.
     

  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: 5:50 p.m.

vmk 6/28/12