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

Monday, September 18, 2017
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125

Minutes

 

Commissioner Abby Schnair called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Dorka Keehn
   Lydia So
   Abby Schnair
   
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Paul Woolford
   
   
   Staff Present
   Jill Manton, Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
    
2. Public Comment
   N/A
    
3. SFO Mel Leong Treatment Plant - Lab Admin Building Project: Phase #1 and #2
   Mark Costanzo, Project Manager, SFO
   
   The Committee asked that the design team return for phase #3 with materials and the final design.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 and #2 of the SFO Mel Leong Treatment Plant - Lab Admin Building.
    
4. JCDecaux Public Restrooms and Kiosks Project: Phase #2 and #3
   
   The design team presented updates to the project. There were no updates to the restroom design, as there were not comments from the last review. For the kiosk design, the vertical LED light strip was removed from the sides of the three paneled structure. The top of the kiosk will have aluminum letters spelling out “San Francisco” attached to the surface of the vents. Mr. Nion presented the materials of the door, glass panel, and metal exterior. It was noted that the grey color of the door and restroom facility will be different to distinguish the door fixture. The door will be cladding steel with small does in relief. The restrooms will have touch screens that provide information, and side panels for advertisements and posters.
   
   The Committee expressed concern with the bump out or extrusion at the base of the kiosk. The triangle shaped kiosk had two sides with a “bump out” and one flat side. The team indicated that the flat side of the kiosk was intended for the user which might feature an ATM. However, the Committee asked that the design team find other options that would make the bottom of the kiosk uniform on each side and as flush as possible. The team also shared concern about birds resting on the top of the kiosk, especially for the canopy element. The team said they would use a bird deterrent to minimize bird perching.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 and #3 of the JCDecaux Public Restrooms and Kiosks Project contingent upon addressing the bottom bump out so that it may be uniform on all three sides and as flush as possible.
   
    
5. Southeast Health Center Expansion & Behavioral Health Integration Project: Conceptual Review
   Greta Jones and Cindy Wong, Project Designer, Public Works
   Lisa Zayas-Chien and Joe Chin, Project Managers, Department of Public Health and Public Works
   Richard Gee, Architect, Public Works
   Robin Welter and Jessica Perez, Landscape Architects, Public Works
   
   The design team presented the project, including the context, neighborhood, site views, and existing and proposed site plan. The proposal would include adding an additional two story clinic next to the current existing clinic. The team then provided the floor plan of the first and second floor, along with initial concepts and drawings of the space. Next, they provided studies of daylight integration to the building, solar control, privacy filters, and view possibilities. The team then showcased the four design options for the design; these options included 1) singular move, 2) continuity of base, 3) horizontal banding, and 4) framing. Lastly, they showcased the landscape plans and parking options.
   
   The Committee preferred design Option Four for framing the building. They asked that the landscape be more developed and lush. They suggested vegetation by the skylight for the users of the building, as well as creating a meandering pathway with spaces for solitude in the front grass area.
   
   
   There was no further public comment.
    
6. Castro Mission Health Center Renovations Project: Phase #2
   Ruairi O’Connell, Project Designer, MEI Architects
   Steven Juergens, Project Manager, MEI Architects
   Mei Mei Chan, Architect, MEI Architects
   Jessica Perez, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   
   The design team presented updates to their design, including simplifying the landscape, refining the paving, and standardizing the plaza planters. They showcased the new proposed landscape plan, along with elevations of the facades with the new landscape. For the building structure facades, the team shared that they would color match the concrete to the old concrete once it was power washed. Moving on to the plaza, the team showed a simplified paving in response to the wall façade. The also presented the wall mounted benches and planter with matching wood material.
   
   The Committee commended the team for pulling the project together, given its financial limitations. They thought the landscaping and plaza looked great and advised on an irrigation system to make sure the plants stayed alive. The Committee allowed the team to have the Phase #3 of the project return as a Consent Calendar item, though they asked that they bring in sample materials.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the Castro Mission Health Center Renovations Project.
   
   
   A five minute break was called at 3:55 p.m.
    
7. SFFD Ambulance Deployment Facility Project: Phase #2
   Ruairi O’Connell, Project Designer, MEI Architects
   Michael Wang, Project Manager, MEI Architects
   Mei Mei Chan, Architect, MEI Architects
   Katy Taylor and Cliff Lowe, Landscape Architects, Cliff Lowe Associates
   
   The design team presented updates to the project, addressing the comments to make the bottom portion of the structure more bold and simple, to consolidate openings in the lower structure, and clarify the intent of the planting. The team presented a planting palette and materials, building elevations and sections, and perspectives of the buildings. The team also showcased materials and color samples of the glass and exterior.
   
   The Committee questioned the window gaps of the building façade which faced the parking lot. The team explained that the mullion aligned with the joint of the floor, rather then the metal panels. The Committee preferred that there should continuity of the mullions to the metal panels to read continuity between the structure and the skin of the building.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the SFFD Ambulance Deployment Facility Project contingent upon aligning the mullion lines to the metal bond panel to exhibit continuity between the structure and the skin of the building.
    
8. Tad’s Steakhouse Project: Phase #2 and #3
   Roddy Creedon, Project Designer and Architect, Allied Pro
   
   The design team presented the new updates to the façade of the steakhouse, which had wood panels inserted into the bays. They also presented another option which was reviewed at an informal. Along with the proposed design, the team presented a material and color palette. The Committee felt that option with the continuous wood on the top of the façade was more compelling. The Committee asked that the team consider integrating the continuous wood option to their design, in combination with the option that provided an open glazing structure. The team was amenable to this suggestion.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 and #3 of the Tad’s Steakhouse Project contingent upon: 1) the synthesis of Option A and Option B, which incorporates the above continuous wood of Option A and the below open glazing structure of Option B and 2) the centering of the sign between the two piers.
    
9. Francisco Reservoir Project: Phase #1
   Richard Parker, Project Designer and Architect, 450 Architects
   Anne Baskerville, Project Manager, Rec & Park
   Ron Lutsko, Landscape Architect, Lutsko Associates
   
   The design team reviewed their project goals and presented the new design to the park. The updates included changing the upper view terrace to be one connected space, providing terraces at each end of the historic berm, and moving the convenience building out of the historic reservoir footprint. As for the bathrooms, the team indicated that that the community thought it was a concern for the bathroom to be too close to the playground as it would allow other people to hang around the area. The community also wanted to keep the playground on the same side as the educational historic portion of the park, so that they would be in proximity of each other. The team then showcased site sections, an updated materials and planting palette, and a site water strategy for stormwater. The team shared that they were working with Macchiatto for the historical interpretive portion of the park and provided some examples of interpretive graphics and exhibit details. As for the playground, they are working with Fletcher Studio Landscape Architects. Lastly, they showed topographic perspective views and renderings of the park.
   
   The Committee did not agree that the bathroom should be so far away from the playground, but understood the team’s desire to satisfy the community. The Committee asked about signage, bike locks, and safety from the high ledges of the park. The team indicated that there would be signage and bike locks would be at each park entrance, since wheeled transportation would not be allowed inside the park. As for the high ledges, there are guard rails for safety.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Francisco Reservoir Project.
    
10. Hillsborough Cherry Creek Pump Station Project: Phase #1
    Schaaf & Wheeler, Project Designer, Schaaf & Wheeler
    Natalie Asai, Project Manager, Town of Hillsborough
    
    The design team presented the background to the project, sharing that the current pump station is on SFPUC property in the town of Hillsborough. The pump station is currently deteriorating and undersized, and the new pump station would increase fire suppression water, improve continued water service during power outages, and increase water availability to the public. The team showed the context, site plan, surrounding views, photos of the current pump station, and drawings of the proposed replacement. The team then showcased the new elevations to the building, along with the suggested materials – split-faced CMU blocks with natural finish and galvanized steel. The team completed the presentation with a full site plan of the proposed pump station.
    
    The Committee had no comments for the project.
    
    There was no further public comment.
    
    Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Hillsborough Cherry Creek Pump Station Project.
     
11. Visual Arts Committee Update
    N/A
     
12. Staff Report
    Jill Manton wanted to check in with the Committee about their holiday schedule for November and December. She stated that a doodle poll would go around to find dates that worked best for the Commissioners.
     
13. New Business and Announcements
    There was no new business or announcements.
     
14. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
    posted  9/22/17, 5:45 p.m., akl
    approved 10/2/17
     

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.