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

Monday, January 22, 2018
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

 

Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Dorka Keehn
   Lydia So
   Abby Schnair
   Paul Woolford
   
   Commissioners Absent
   N/A
   
   Staff Present
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Jill Manton, Director, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Mary Chou, Project Manager, Public Art
    
2. Public Comment
   N/A
    
3. Consent Calendar
   There was no public comment, and the Consent Calendar was unanimously approved as follows:
   
   A. Motion to approve the proposed temporary signage installation supported by the Bayview Opera House Tenant Board consisting of two 30x30” photographic prints on fiberglass depicting the portraits of Ruth Williams and Mary L. Booker on either side of the existing tile sign on the 3rd Street facing brick wall of the Bayview Opera House for a maximum of two years duration.
   
    
4. SFO Boarding Area A Gate Enhancement Project – Gate A2 Bus Lobby: Phase #1
   Charles Lee, Project Designer, Corgan Architects
   Chris McManus, Project Manager, SFO
   Chris Kadlick, Architect, Corgan Architects
   
   The design team presented the project, Gate A2 Bus Operation, which would be a 4,000 square foot addition that would facilitate as another gate for remote boarding planes. This facility would allow for an additional gate which would operate with the current gate without conflict. The team presented the plan site location, plan proposed, existing views, and proposed renderings of the project. They followed with proposed floor plans, elevations, material palette, and rendered views of the facility. The team brought metal and glass samples in support of their presentation. They shared that the materials suggested match the current materials used at Boarding Area A.
   
   Commissioner Dorka Keehn arrived at 2:14pm.
   
   The Committee inquired about why the facility was not integrated to the actual Boarding Area A space. The team responded that because of structural and maintenance challenges, the form of this structure was the best fit. The Committee also asked about how the location of the trash compactors could be better resolved and out of site. The team shared that actually the trash compactors would be hidden better than today and used the same materials and forms as the new design to have it blend with the building. The Committee requested that the design team resend the presentation with better graphics. They also endorsed that the project could come back for Phase #2 and #3 on the Consent Calendar for their next review as there were no contingencies. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the SFO Boarding Area A Gate Enhancement Project.
    
5. Westside Pump Station Project: Phase #3
   Tiffany Gong, Project Designer, Public Works
   Brian Carlomagno, Project Manager, SFPUC
   Stanley So, Architect, Public Works
   Edward Chin, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team presented updates to their project, showing the removal of the tower due to budget constraints and relocation of a louver in response to the Committee’s comments in their last review. With the removal of the tower of the main building, the roof was raised to accommodate the equipment inside. The team also shared that the skylight glass would be replaced with new glass. The elevations and material and planting palette were reviewed. The landscape architect explained that for security reasons all plants near the facility would under five feet to prevent climbing. Lastly, the team shared the public art proposal selected for the project. Artist, Jet Martinez, will be painting a mural of Fog Lilies which the community is excited to have.
   
   The Committee shared that it was a nice planting plan and had no other comments for the project. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #3 of the Westside Pump Station Project.
    
6. Southeast Health Center Expansion Project: Phase #1
   Greta Jones and Cindy Wong, Project Designer, Public Works
   Lisa Zayas-Chien and Joe Chin, Project Manager, SF Public Health and Public Works
   Richard Gee, Architect, Public Works
   Robin Welter and Jessica Perez, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team reviewed the site context, existing and proposed site plan, floor plans and design opportunities, such as privacy filters, solar control, colors, and views. With the preferred Frame design concept, the team provided renderings of the proposed facility showcasing the incorporated landscape around the building and the space connecting the new and existing buildings called “The Narrows.” The Narrows would be an atrium-like visual corridor with a runnel showcasing stormwater collection and flow. Lastly, the team presented the elevations and sections of the schematic design, along with highlighting the removal of the roof monitors to incorporate syklights instead.
   
   The Committee applauded the team for such a well conceived project and thoughtful design. They felt it was one of the most elegant projects to come out of Public Works and that the team did a great job in detailing the project. The Committee had a few comments for the team, including looking at a modest border between the landscape and curtain wall, exploring a shadow box effect with the spandrel glass, exploring the use of TAKTL concrete panels, thinking seriously about sustainable performance stories for intelligent systems, and illustrating the minimal handrails and existing trees to see their fit in the new design. They look forward to seeing the next review of the project. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Southeast Health Center Expansion Project.
    
7. Central SoMa Park Project: Conceptual Review
   Henry Sears, Project Manager, Tishman Speyer
   Tom Leader, Landscape Architect, Tom Leader Studio
   
   The design team provided the background of the project, highlighting its public/private partnership and that it was part of the greater Central SoMa plan. The project team consists of TLS Landscape Architecture, Tishman Speyer, Build Public, and the SF Planning Department. The team provide the sit context, site plan with parcels, site conditions, and the designated areas for privately-owned public open spaces and the park. The team then shared the feedback provided by the community during their community engagement process. Stakeholder priorities include cleanliness, safety, a welcoming environment, activation, flexibility of space for a range of programming, easily accessible, multi-generational, and culturally responsive. The design team explained their forest floor concept, incorporating aspects of the areas history as a lumbar yard, as well as the space’s relation to a canyon. They hope to bring ecology to this urban space with native California coastal trees and wood vocabulary related to the forest. The team went further into details regarding the site plan, including showcasing anticipated activations and community and retail use. Lastly, the team presented the material palette and renderings of the proposed park.
   
   The Committee was very excited about this project and appreciated the concept of nature that would be integrated into the space and park. In regards to urban design, the Committee felt that Building 2 was blunting the urban experience from the entry point of Bryant Street. They asked the team to soften and refine the passageway from Bryant Street to the park.The Committee also asked that the team consider lighting for safety, balance of hardscape capacity, balance of trees and species to address wind and sunlight, designing the park to have components that foster programming, and shaping the topography of the park. Lastly, the Committee suggested the team reach out to the nonprofit, Nature in the City, for resources regarding biodiversity in the City.
   
   Public Comment:
   
   A representative of the SoMa Pilipinas spoke upon what they envisioned for the park which included having it named after a heroine of the Filipino community, that the park would be identified as a sense of home and placemaking and have programming capabilities built into the design of the park, and that the park would have murals, plaques, and statues representing the Filipino community.

A representative of the South of Market Community Action Network spoke upon their concern of the lack of open space in that area and hoped that this new park would be welcoming and allow the community to take ownership of the new space. They asked that the project team consider the ground retail place and its affordability and how it may cater to the community. They expressed the importance of accessibility to senior citizens.

A representative of Bindlestiff Studio spoke upon their support for the park, especially in providing opportunities for additional and outdoor space for performace spaces. They shared that this project was vital to the community and thanked the developers for being so thoughtful in the process.

Another representative of SOMA Pilipinas spoke about taking into account children and elderly access to the park, funding and compensation for programming and organizations involved, and a familiar plant and material palette that is representative of the community.
 

8. Visual Arts Committee Update
   Commissioner Keehn shared the proposal for the SFO Hotel AirTrain station artwork by LA-based artist Sarah Cain. The artwork is a stained glass artwork of water color quality. The artist is working with a local stained glass maker in Los Angeles.
    
9. Staff Report.
   Jill Manton reminded the Committee that the February Civic Design Review meeting is set for February 12^th, 2018.
    
10. New Business and Announcements
    Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker asked the Committee begin planning for a Civic Design Revierw Committee hosted reception for agencies they serve. The purpose of the reception was to instill good will between the Committee and agencies, as well as to showcase exemplary Civic Design Review projects as precedents for incoming projects.
     
11. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
    posted 2/1/18, 1:30p.m., akl
    approved 2/5/18
     

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@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，Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@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 Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.