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

Monday, March 19, 2018
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

 

Commissioner Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Lydia So
   Paul Woolford
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Dorka Keehn
   Abby Schnair
   
   Staff Present
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Jill Manton, Director, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Zoe Taleporos, Project Manager, Public Art
    
2. Public Comment
   N/A
    
3. Consent Calendar
   There was no public comment, and the Consent Calendar was approved unanimously as follows.
   
   A. Motion to approve Phase #2 & Phase #3 of the Cherry Creek Pump Station Project.
   
   B. Motion to approve two new 2018 Bammies Walk of Fame Plaques located on Grove Street in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in honor of Steven Seaweed and Sammy Hagar.
    
4. Tad’s Steakhouse Project: Post-Phase #3 Changes
   Roddy Creedon, Project Designer and Architect, Allied Pro
   
   This project returned for a post-phase #3 review, as its Civic Design Review phase #3 approved design was not in line with Planning Department guidelines specified for storefront design guidelines for buildings in the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Article 11 Conservation District. The elements that did not meet the guidelines include the use of unpainted wood as a design element, the installation of a single canopy spanning over multiple storefront openings, and the frameless storefront glazing system. The planning department worked with the project’s architect team to modify the design, which includes removing the wood canopy element and reintroducing the glass canopy from a previous approved design. Furthermore, the bays of the storefront that were once wood material has been revised to continue the storefront framing material, with the possibility for additional painted or illuminated signage. Lastly, vertical framing mullions have been added to the storefront glazing to be in line with the Planning Department guidelines.
   
   Time Frye, Preservation Officer from the Planning Department, shared that they had work closely with the project sponsor to create a revision that is content for both the Arts Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.
    
   The Committee had no comments and the motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Post-Phase #3 Changes of the Tad’s Steakhouse Project.
    
5. Daly City Vista Grande Drainage Basin Improvements Project: Phase #1
   Shawn Spreng, Project Designer, McMillen Jacobs Associates
   Thomas Piccolotti, Project Manager, City of Daly City
   Greg Robley, Architect, MWA Architects
   Darcie DeLashmutt, Landscape Architect, WRT Design
   
   The design team presented that the purpose of this project was to address storm related flooding and low water level at Lake Merced. Currently the existing drainage canal and tunnel are undersized for peak storm flow, and water has been backing up on Daly City residence. While a vast majority of the project is underground, including remining the tunnel and and diverting structure, the team highlighted the proposed electrical building requiring design review. The presentation included a site plan, existing views, proposed views, and precedent images used for the design of the building. The team went on to show the building’s floor plan, a section, and elevations. Lastly, the team shared the material palette and planting palette.
   
   The Committee asked that the design team give more attention to the entry way with the two doors. They shared that at this particular point everything comes together in misalignment. The Committee suggested aligning the horizontal parts above the door and minimizing the seams. The Committee also recommended simplifying the box panel in between the doors and cantilevering one side of the building to make it a more sculptural form. For the landscaping, the Committee thought the plant palette was well done, but asked that taller plants be put around the fence to obscure the building more. The Committee expressed that the team would be able to come for phase #2 and #3 in their next review. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Daly City Vista Grande Drainage Basin Improvements Project contingent upon: 1) inflecting the flat side of the building to make the structure a parallelogram shape and 2) simplifying the panels in between the doors.
   
   Item #7, the Eagle Plaza Project, was moved to Item #6 for the interest of time.
    
6. Eagle Plaza Project: Phase #2 & #3
   Jared Press, Project Manager, Place Lab
   Marcel Wilson, Landscape Architect, Bionic Landscape
   
   The design team showed their updated design of Eagle Plaza, given new requirements from SFPUC and the Fire Department. These design constraints include SFPUC asset protection standards for water, storm drainage, and electrical lines. Further design constraints also include the Fire Departments clearance for fire truck feasibility through and on the plaza. The design team then provided a clearance diagram that mapped out the total constraints which organized their new design of the plaza and possible planting zones with shallow to moderate soil depth. The team showcased the plaza topography, highlighting the four inch curb on the north and flush curb on the side of the Eagle bar. The team showed an event diagram for traffic access and full street closure. Lastly the team presented the furnishing palette and landscape palettes. The team also provided material samples, such as cement color samples and pedestrian warning tiles.
   
   The Committee felt the new design to be too different from what had been approved in the previous review. They felt that a lot of the landscape and greenery had diminished, leaving smaller areas that would be more difficult to sustain. Furthermore, they felt that the topography of the plaza had been lost since the planting was now at grade level. The Committee felt that there was also a need for more permanent seating somewhere so that people would stay and linger versus depending only on the removable seating. Lastly, the Committee brought up having the space be more inclusive and safe, including addressing the lighting of the plaza. The Committee felt that the team should go back to the community to get more feedback about the new design of Eagle Plaza. The motion did not pass.
   
   There was no further public comment.
    
7. Castro Station Elevator Project: Phase #1
   Tess Kavanagh, Project Manager, SFMTA
   Jane Chan, Architect, Public Works
   John Dennis, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team shared that the Castro Station Elevator project was imperative in moving forward due to the desire of improving accessibility for users of the Castro Station. The design of this project would be incorporated into the new Harvey Milk Plaza that is still being designed. The team presented the site context of each elevator level, new entry accesses and circulation proposals, lighting and security features, and a section of the entire length of the elevator. The team then showed elevator skin studies, with a preference for Option #1 showcasing a structural glass point support system. The team also provided a model for the Committee to examine.
   
   The Committee thought the model was very helpful in visualizing the project. They encouraged the transparency of the elevator shaft, and suggested the team have the structure look like a lantern or jewel obelisk with LED lights as an option. The Committee appreciated the pure abstract quality of the elevator in the model and asked the team to push this aesthetic through the material, whether it is fritted, translucent, or white glass. They asked that the elevator be shifted to be more on access with the street level entry point, that the glass used would be bird-friendly, and that elevators would be more visibly open on the platform level. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Castro Station Elevator Project contingent upon 1) that the structural frame have glazing and no mullions 2) that the top of the elevator be glass 3) making the structure monochromatic and consistent 4) implementing the preferred torch light standard 5) expanding or eliminating the large glass paving at the upper grade level for future proofing, 6) aligning the elevator with the center of entry approach, 7) studying the translucency of the top structure (fritted, opaque or whited) for bird safety, 8) creating more visibility for the elevator at platform level, and 9) studying how security happens in relation to the obelisk.
    
8. SFO AirTrain Extension and Improvements Project: Phase #3
   Robin Chiang, Project Designer, Design by the Bay
   Tony Breslin, Project Manager, SFO
   
   The design team provided updates to their design, showcasing gradient glass from the platform level to the parapet level with a heavy frit pattern and 40%-80% opacity. The roof would now be a single tone, lighter grey color. The team showcased the implementation of the public art piece in the lower concourse level of the station. They shared that the art would be on the interior facing glass, but would be visible from both outside and in. The team also provided glass samples.
   
   The Committee thought the station looked great and were delighted to see the progress of the project. They suggested having less varying panel sizes on the elevator shaft and to change the language of the solid door of the staircase to be the same material as the adjacent fencing. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #3 of the SFO AirTrain Extension and Improvements Project contingent upon: 1) minimizing the number of panel sizes on the elevator shaft and 2) using the same pipes used in fencing for the security door instead of a solid door gate.
    
9. Angelo Rossi Pool Improvement Project: Phase #2
   Rafael Gutierrez, Project Designer, Public Works
   Levi Conover, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Will Kwan, Architect, Public Works
   Edward Chin, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team presented the new updates to the project, including a preferred color palette and color studies, a proposed base scope and patio alternative for the entry way, options of perforated metal for the mechanical enclosure, and a landscape palette and concept plan. The team explained that the patio was a bid alternate if they had enough money to cover the costs, if not they would implement the base design proposed. The team also provided material samples including perforated metal color and cutout samples and glass samples.
   
   The Committee preferred the use of a bronze anodized finish for the frames. They preferred that the team be able to implement the patio opportunity or proposed creating a wider path at the entry walkway to traverse. Moreover, they suggested having less columns and respacing them for a more open feeling. They preferred Option 1 of the single panel perforated metal. The motion was unanimously approved.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the Angelo Rossi Pool Improvement Project contingent upon: 1) extending the new paving at the entrance for wider path, 2) reducing the number of columns of the entrance passage and substantiating the support beam, 3) respecting the pattern of the eaves, 4) using horizontal cable railing instead of picket vertical rail, 5) using preferred color scheme of cream base and bronze metal, 6) adding some more hedge material on the north side of the building, and 7) using Option 1 of the single panel perforated metal.
    
10. Visual Arts Committee Update
    N/A
     
11. Staff Report
    Jill Manton reported that the Civic Design Review reception would proceed and be held on May 7. She also reported that a joint meeting between the Civic Design Review Committee and Historic Preservation Committee would be planned soon to clarify jurisdiction and specific design authority to ensure more consistency between agencies.
     
12. New Business and Announcements
    N/A
     
13. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:54 p.m.
    posted  12/20/17, 5:00 p.m., akl
    approved 4/2/18
     

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.