SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION

MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

 Monday, May 16, 2022  2:00 p.m.

Remote Meeting via video and teleconferencing

Draft Minutes 

Commissioner Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:01pm. 

Kimberlee Stryker, Chair 

Yiying Lu  

Janine Shiota 

Abby Schnair  

Paul Woolford 

Staff Present 

Joanne Lee, Deputy Director of Programs 

Alyssa Ventre, Commission Secretary 

Paris Cotz, CDR Program Associate 

Myles Stevens, Landscape Architect, Stevens and Associates 

Grazyna Dwornik, Landscape Architect, Stevens and Associates 

The project team presented on the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Ozonation Project – Phase 1. They said the project site is located at an existing water treatment plant located in Sunol, California. The project team explained that the site is not publicly accessible and this project plans to add an ozone system to remove tastes and odors from water, which will include several new facilities. 

The project team said they considered the Conceptual Review comments about fire retardant plantings and the inclusion of native plants in this Phase 1. The team addressed the outdoor spaces and enclosed them but did not rearrange the layout of buildings. The landscape team described their goals of having the landscape blend in and will utilize native plants that are fire resistant and a few Live Oak, Ash, and Silk Tassel trees in an immediate garden area in the front area of the Ozone Generation Building.  

Commissioners commented on the axially positioning of the campus buildings so that they orient on the same site rotation. Commissioners would also like to see more trees, or at least low shrubs, between buildings to connect them visually and not just in front of the main building, but this is dependent on underground infrastructure.   

Commissioners recommended the project team to meet informally to discuss site, landscape, and the interpretation of the program and site function into the design of the façade.  

There was no public comment. 

Commissioner Woolford, second by Commissioner Shiota moved to approve Phase 1 of the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Ozonation Project with the following contingencies: that an informal be held to (1) discuss the site and landscape design and (2) analyze the massing/compositional design of the contractor building.   

The motion unanimously carried by the following vote: 
Ayes: Stryker, Shiota, Schnair, Woolford, Lu 
 

James Munden, Landscape Architect, Munden Fry Associates  

The project team explained that the project site is located south of Sloat Boulevard. The project team shared developments from their last presentation during Phase 1, including updates to Sloat Plaza and the multi-use trail. The project team said they are  currently going through the review process for artist selection for on-site artwork.  

The project team shared updates to the restrooms, which has slightly relocated and now include solar panels to power the facilities. The project team described how they changed the bathroom doors from sliding to bi-folding doors. 

The landscape architects described the plant palette which is congruent with dune planting and the nearby National Park plant palette at Fort Funston, primarily shrubs and grasses as well as Monterey Cyprus and Wax Myrtle trees near the parking lot.  

Commissioners had questions about a staircase leading to the beach, and the project team explained that there is still a stair system but that it was not ready to be shown at this meeting. Commissioners also had questions about lighting and skateboard deterrents. The project team explained that there will be very minimal lighting and there will be embedded imprints along the walls as skateboard deterrents. Commissioners also had questions about the paving striping. The project team said the the striping brings attention to the East to West orientation and brings a rhythm to the area. Commissioners encouraged the project team to use color to bring a cohesive palette to this area.  

There was no public comment. 

Commissioner Schnair, seconded by Commissioner Woolford moved to approve Phase 2 Review of Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project with the following contingencies to be discussed during an informal meeting: lighting, detail of seat wall (skateboard deterrents), color and pattern of concrete pavings, and the development of the beach access stairs.

The motion unanimously carried by the following vote: 
Ayes: Stryker, Shiota, Schnair, Woolford, Lu 

Winnie Chang, Landscape Architect, SFDPW 

The project team provided an overview of the history of the Buchanan Street Mall neighborhood over the decades as well as the history of the project. The project team shared updates to the Eddy-Turk and McAllister-Fulton blocks of the street mall.  

The project team said they worked with the community and other involved stakeholders to integrate the memory walk into the playground as well as the multi-use sports court and picnic area. The team shared plans for a performance space, plaza space, micro-enterprise kiosk and garden areas.  

Commissioners had questions about a maintenance budget. The project team explained they are raising funds for artwork maintenance but currently do not have any committed funding. Commissioners also had a question about pet-designated areas and accommodations. The team answered that there will potentially be a pet-relief area and designated dog play area, and dogs are allowed in the park on-leash. Commissioners asked about the resources available at the stage, specifically audio/visual tools. The team stated that there will be uplighting on the stage and the team has a pending grant to allow for additional lighting and sound equipment.  

Commissioners had a question about an additional artwork budget separate from the memory walk artwork. The project team explained that since this project has no buildings on this site, there is no art enrichment funding. The team explained how the memory walk will be lit  from lamp posts and commissioners encouraged a cohesive color palette. Commissioners alerted the team to potential conflicts such as noise levels, pet-human conflicts, lighting and color on the memory walk, and bicycles-pedestrian conflicts.  

Commissioner Woolford left at 4:13pm. 
 

Public Comment: Ariella Levitch, a staff member from Trust for Public Land, spoke in support of the project and pleased with the way Public Works has worked with the community.  

Commissioner Schnair, seconded by Commissioner Shiota moved to approve Phase 1, Single Review of Buchanan Street Mall. 

 
PC posted 5/26/22 at 2:00pm
 
 

Archives Available 

A recording of this meeting will be available online after the meeting at the following address: https://sfgov.org/arts/civic-design-review-committee-audio-archive 

Language Access 

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Paris Cotz, paris.cotz@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 Paris Cotz, paris.cotz@sfgov.org. 

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Paris Cotz, paris.cotz@sfgov.org.