MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION

Monday, August 19, 2019
2:30 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:32 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Dorka Keehn
   Abby Schnair
   Lydia So
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Paul Woolford
   
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Linda Parker Pennington
   Barbara Sklar
   
   
   Staff Present
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust & Special Initiatives
   Rachelle Axel, Director of Public & Private Partnerships
   Jill Manton, Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
    
2. Public Comment
   N/A
    
3. Consent Calendar
   1. SFFD Fire Hydrant Commemorative Bronze Plaques
      
      Donna Huggins of the Guardians of the City organization presented the scope of the commemorative plaques project proposed for San Francisco’s three most famous fire hydrants. She commented that they already worked with the San Francisco Fire Department for an initial permit, went to the Board of Supervisors for a resolution, and would move forward with Public Works after Arts Commission approval. The team expressed their excitement for the commemoration of these hydrants that were still in use and the preservation of San Francisco Fire Department history. There was no public comment and the motion was approved as follows.
      
      Motion to approve the commemorative bronze plaques for San Francisco’s three most famous fire hydrants which will be located next to the gold hydrant by 3899 20^th Street, the silver twin hydrant by 698 Hayes Street, and the silver twin hydrant by 900 Ellis Street.
       
   2. Eagle Plaza Commemorative “Stud” Plaques
      
      Motion to approve the Eagle Plaza commemorative “Stud” plaques which will be located at Eagle Plaza on 12^th Street and Harrison Street in SOMA West.
      
      The motion was unanimously approved.
       
4. 1657 Rollins Road Building Renovation Project: Phase #1
   Heather Manders, Project Designer, SFPUC
   Mary Tienken, Project Manager, SFPUC
   Michael Wang, Architect, MEI Architects
   
   The project team reviewed the site plan, photos of existing conditions and views, and proposed floor plan for the new addition. Next, the team presented the updates made to the design which included removing the horizontal banding, painting the edge metal trim dark gray and extending the windows vertically to match the existing building, matching the dark paint color above and below the windows, and raising the trellis to match the building’s datum line. Lastly, the team showed elevations of the building addition with the new updates.
   
   The Committee thanked the team for being open to their suggestions expressed in their previous review and informal. The Committee thought the team did a great job and appreciated their efforts. They had no other comments, nor was there public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the 1657 Rollins Road Building Renovation Project.
    
5. Bay Corridor Transmission and Distribution P3 Project: Conceptual
   David Fyfe and Jack Lin, Project Designer, AECOM and SFPUC
   David Myerson, Project Manager, SFPUC
   Erika Uribe, Landscape Architect, incommon
   
   The project team presented the project background, including the location plan, project brief, project goals, site lines, and nearby facilities for context and vantage point of design. Next, the team presented the site plan, site section, massing study, elevations, and concrete wall options. The team provided two renderings of the street corner view with the different concrete wall patterns they were considering. Finally, the team presented next steps which included deciding on cast concrete approaches, developing a pattern approach, and developing a design for the metal gates. The team also added that this project was intended for a design build bid process that would eventually be taken on by the bidding team.
   
   The Committee was concerned about the tall height of the wall, and suggested that the team soften its impact with more visual interest through landscaping or a green wall. Since the Davison Avenue street facing façade could essentially extend in the future, the Committee thought it would be important to elevate this façade and do something more industrial on the rail track façade. The Committee suggested trees that could shorten the appearance of the wall or a frieze type element that could make the street more attractive. The Committee also suggested looking at the nearby facilities and how the façade could be treated in color, texture, and patterning to relate to the context of the neighborhood. Lastly, the Committee asked for renderings with more context for the next review.
    
6. Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island Utility Enclosures Project: Phase #1 and Phase #2
   Martin Wiggins, Project Manager, TIDGSF
   Lauren Stahl, Landscape Architect, CMG
    
   The project team presented the site context, location background, site map of the proposed enclosures, and the fencing designs. A drawing of the proposed enclosures showed details of the gauntlet, trident, and omega 20 fence designs which would be powdercoated in medium gray color. The team reviewed the site location enclosures at the Cultural Park, Cityside Park, Waterfront Plaza, and Yerba Buena Island, as well as each sites’ specific details and landscaping palette.
   
   Liz Hirschhorn, representative of the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA), expressed the agency’s perspective to have the best and well integrated design for the enclosures that were appropriate for their location. TIDA stated that they respect SF PUC’s desire for high security, but also thought there was room to improve the current aesthetics of the enclosures.
   
   The Committee felt that the enclosures proposed were not appropriate for many of the locations that were high traffic and civic realm sites. Since the fencing proposed already appeared to be a structure with such tight openings, the Committee asked that the team propose other types of structure options. Additionally, the Committee recommended some kind of berm landscaping or artwork opportunity to soften the visual aesthetic. Finally, the Committee asked that the team to investigate other viable sites that the pump stations could be relocated to or be in less foreground areas. The Committee suggested the team come back for an informal if desired. There was no motion.
    
7. Visual Arts Committee Update
   Commissioner Dorka Keehn shared the artwork proposal by Emory Douglas that was selected for the community center at the Margaret Hayward Playground. Additionally, she shared a photo of Art Commissioners at the SFO The Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Open House.
    
8. Staff Report
   Jill Manton, Art Commission staff, gave a report back of the SFMTA UCSF platform project that came for Civic Design Review in 2016-2017. While the Committee had provided comments regarding a possible unique design of the platform, SFMTA said that they wanted to keep the platform consistent with the other 3^rd Street train platforms. As an Enterprise department, they did not need to accept Civic Design Review recommendations if it would have an impact on their budget and schedule. SFMTA confirmed that they did not want to deviate from their standard design in any way. Thus, they moved forward with their set design.
   
   Aleta Lee, Art Commission staff, shared with the Committee that the Dewey Monument plaque design had been administratively reviewed and approved by the Director of Cultural Affairs, and the plaque text approved by the Visual Arts Committee.
9. New Business and Announcements
   Commissioner Kim Stryker asked the Committee’s input on determining a standard design criteria for plaques. The Committee agreed that some kind of plaque design criteria should be put into place to create more consistency. The Committee also felt the process of approval of the plaques should be amended to have plaques come to Arts Commission for approval first before going to the Board of Supervisors for approval. The staff said they would look into this.
    
10. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
    posted  8/23/19, 11:00 a.m., akl
    approved 9/9/19
     

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@sfgov.org.

我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@sfgov.org.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Associate Aleta Lee, 415-252-2251, aleta.lee@sfgov.org.