SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

Monday, May 17, 2021
2:30 p.m.
Remote Meeting via video and teleconferencing

Minutes
  

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

1. Roll Call
   (:40)
   
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
   Yakuh Askew
   Yiying Lu
   Abby Schnair
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Paul Woolford
   
   Staff Present
   Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs
   Joanne Lee, Deputy Director of Programs
   Alyssa Ventre, Commission Secretary
    
2. General Public Comment
   (5:50)
   
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Herz Playground Recreation Center Project – Phase 2
   (6:58)
   
   Alexis Ward, Project Manager, SF Rec and Park
   Greg Novicoff, Architect, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
   Emily Rylander, Landscape Architect, Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture
   
   The design team introduced the location of the project to be at the intersection of  Sunnydale Ave and Hahn St. They stated that the overall vision of the site is to be an inclusive, safe, friendly, family and youth focused space for neighborhood, residents, and visitors. The recreation and community center will be the heart of the neighborhood and gateway into McLaren Park. The team presented their guiding principles developed in partnership with the community and gave a brief overview of the 11,500 sq foot site. They reviewed commissioner feedback from the previous meeting and presented how they have addressed these concerns--spaced out mullions to create bigger windows and more visibility into lobby, unified canopy over gym plaza, simplified the material palette, slightly reduced building, and determined their preference of a 6x24 inch vertical tile with slight shade variation for the exterior. The team also discussed the site landscape plan and defined they planting areas to include an urban interface, storm water garden, native hillside, and active park. They explained that for the nature exploration area they will reuse trees that need to be removed from the site. For the fitness terrace, they will work with Rec and Park and the community to determine which equipment to install. The team stated that they will also work with Rec and Park to ensure that the plantings will be easy to maintain and thrive and that they plant palette will include drought tolerant species that provide color, a grove of red bud trees, and native species to help restore the habitat. They will be bringing additional color to the site with site furnishings. Finally, the team stated that there are two potential location for public art—an exterior wall near the entrance and an interior wall in the gym.
   
   Commissioners commended the team on a nice project and thanked them for incorporating feedback from previous meetings into their presentation. The had multiple questions regarding bike parking, solar panels, street address on the exterior of the building, and lighting for the site signage. Additionally they asked for clarity around the locations for public art and specifically if there would be two works installed or just one. Commissioners asked what the feedback from the community has been so far and how their comments would be incorporated into the design. Commissioners also agreed with the team on their preferred tile choice and commented that the furnishings were friendly, colorful, and complimentary to the site.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Commissioner Askew, seconded by Commissioner Schnair moved to approve Phase 2  of the Herz Playground Recreation Center Project with the following contingency: to have lighting at the building signage which will also include the street address.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   Ayes: Stryker, Askew, Lu, Schnair
    
4. Treasure Island MTA Restrooms Project: Stage 2 – Phase 3
   (39:35)
   Levi Conover, Project Manager, Treasure Island Development Group
   Corbett Belcher, Landscape Architect, CMG
   Chris Parschalk, Architect, Ware Associates
   
   The project team presented the location of the site at the corner of California Ave and Avenue C on Treasure Island. The project is a small part of the greater Treasure Island development but an important part of public transit infrastructure. The team stated that the design intent was to produce a restroom that was simple and clean, context appropriate, durable, and easy to maintain. They described the two restrooms as being equipped with fixtures and accessories selected by requirements put forward by SFMTA and AC Transit. The team stated that their main focus has been on durability, maintenance, and constructability and that they building would need to withstand the demands of streetscape as well as the marine environment. They noted a couple revisions to the previous design—the skylights are smaller in order to help with waterproofing and ease of construction; and the materials for the awning have been detailed and coordinated to resist the corrosive effects of marine atmosphere and to withstand potential misuse. In regards to landscaping, the team extended the existing grove of trees with new proposed trees and have also extended the understory plantings to clarify public access from streetscape improvements. The team shared that they received feedback and approval of the project from SFMTA and AC Transit.
   
   Commissioners commended the team for a handsome, clean, well-considered project. They asked the team to clarify that the street trees between the curb and sidewalk will be removed as part of planned streetscape. They recommended that project teams present topographic drawings for future projects where elevations play a significant role in the design of a site.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Commissioner Schnair, seconded by Commissioner Askew moved to approve Phase 3 of the Treasure Island MTA Restrooms Project: Stage 2 as presented.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   Ayes: Stryker, Askew, Lu, Schnair
    
5. Sandy Tatum Learning Center Project – Phase 1 & 2
   (54:10)
   Gary Head, Architect, Zak Architecture
   
   The project team shared the location of the site as Harding Park adjacent to the Clubhouse. The team reminded commissioners that the main goals of the space is to have an indoor/outdoor classroom, public restrooms on the exterior of the building, and indoor outdoor driving range. The team reviewed commissioner comments from their last review and highlighted how these concerns have been addressed in this updated plan. The team stated that they met with Rec and Park and also an arborist on site who concluded that building will have no effect on the trees. The team also ensured the commissioners that they will have measures in place for soil and root protection when construction begins. The team stated that they will be using durable stucco with a smooth steel finish and a standing seam metal roof that is similar in design and construction to Clubhouse. They are using a neutral color palette, which is consistent to that of the Clubhouse.
   
   Commissioners commended the team on a nice project. They had the team clarify that the clubhouse and learning center were visible from one another and that the materials used would be similar for continuity. They also had the team confirm that the roof material would be matte in finish so as not to be too reflective for golfers.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Commissioner Schnair, seconded by Commissioner Askew moved to approve Phases 1 & 2 of the Sandy Tatum Learning Center Project with the following contingency: that the materials be the same or similar to that of the clubhouse for continuity.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   Ayes: Stryker, Askew, Lu, Schnair
    
6. Visual Arts Committee Update
   (1:02:30)
   
   Commissioner Schnair shared video of public projects by Jim Campbell/Werner Klotz and Erwin Redl both installed at the Central Subway. She also shared video of public installation Monumental Reckoning by Dana King to launch in Golden Gate Park this Juneteenth (June 19).
   
   There was no public comment.
    
7. Staff Report
   (1:12:30)
   
   Deputy Director Joanne Lee reported on approving one Administrative Review of a Post Phase 3 review of the Treasure Island Utility Enclosures. Due to maintenance concerns, the team removed the painted finish from the metal panels. In keeping with the light and dark contrasting elements, the team will now use matte finish steel panel for the light element and add pigment to the concrete wall for the dark element.
   
   Additionally, Deputy Director Lee reported that she will be working on strengthening the language in the CDR guidelines around Post Phase 3 reviews and in particular ensuring that project managers come back to CDR with any value engineering updates and changes.
   
   Commissioners suggested that these reviews happen in rotation in order to share the workload. They also offered to review the updated language when that is ready.
   
   Director Remington clarified that Civic Design Review Committee now has five commissioner members. Quorum is three commissioners.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
8. New Business and Announcements
   (1:21:50)
   
   There was no new business or announcements.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
9. Adjournment
   (1:22:20)
   
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:54 p.m.

posted 5/29/2021 at 10:48 p.m. MW
approved 6/7/2021
 

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 Maysoun Wazwaz, maysoun.wazwaz@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 Maysoun Wazwaz, maysoun.wazwaz@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Maysoun Wazwaz, maysoun.wazwaz@sfgov.org.