MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, April 20, 2015
2:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes
 

Committee Chair Cass Calder Smith called the meeting to order at 2:34 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Cass Calder Smith, Chair
   Dorka Keehn
   Roberto Ordeñana
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Paul Woolford
    
   Commissioners Absent
   Kathrin Moore, ex officio
    
   Staff Present
   Jill Manton, Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Sharon Page Ritchie, Commission Secretary
    
    
   Commissioner Smith explained that item 9, the Kimbell Playground Clubhouse project, had been withdrawn from the agenda. There was no public comment.
    
2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 1 Interim Boarding Area B (“IBAB”): Conceptual Presentation
   Tania Gharechedaghy, Project Manager, San Francisco International Airport
   Jeff Stahl, Project Architect, Corgan, Inc.
    
   The team presented the project, and discussed how it fits into the overall renovation of Terminal 1. They showed a model and reviewed the schedule. They discussed their inspirations and goals for the design, as well as conditions and constraints of the site, explaining that this would be a temporary structure expected to last for five years while construction of the permanent terminal is underway. In response to the Committee’s questions, they explained that some portions of the structure might be retained, but others would definitely be removed.
    
   Commissioner Keehn added that the Visual Arts Committee had begun discussing placement of temporary public art for this temporary structure, noting the importance of distinguishing between artwork and architectural elements.
    
   The Committee discussed the project, including construction, fenestration and glazing in relation to both heat gain and travelers’ visual experience of the long hallways in the terminal. The Committee encouraged the team to be adventurous in their design.
    
   There was no public comment, and there was no motion.
    
4. Chinatown Station Plaza, Central Subway Project: Phase 2
   Aileen Read, Project Designer, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
   Jane Wang, Project Manager, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
   Mona Tamari, Project Architect, Kwan Henmi Architects
   Manuela King, Project Landscape Architect, RHAA
    
   The design team presented the project, discussing how they addressed the Committee’s comments from its prior review. They reviewed their meeting with the Presbyterian church next door and discussions with church representatives regarding the design of the plaza’s adjacent south wall. The team also reviewed how they were working with Public Art Project Manager Mary Chou to coordinate material colors with the artwork. They displayed a sample chair being tested by the community.
    
   The Committee praised the team’s work in addressing their prior comments. They discussed the project in detail, including the design and lighting of the circular canopy, the placement of the calligraphy couplet panels, the alignment of the nearby hidden door, the design, finish and lighting of the south wall, the importance of ensuring that the variety of reds of the different materials combine harmoniously, and the suitability of the chair for the community, including seniors.
    
   Public Comment:
   A member of the public spoke in favor of the Vista and Traverse chair models, and said that all of the models under consideration were okay.
    
    
   There was no further public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
   Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Central Subway Chinatown Station Plaza project, contingent upon: (1) setting the couplet panels to float slightly in front of the wall rather than sitting flush with the wall surface; (2) shortening the utility door close to the minimum specification to align the top with the grid of the GFRC wall; (3) using a smooth finish on the concrete south wall; (4) configuring the south wall with the stepped-down design rather than following the slope of the stairs; (5) moving the lighting on the south wall down to floor level; (6) moving the trellis support posts out to the edge of the structure.
    
5. Fire Station #5: Phase 2
   Gabriella Cirelli, Project Manager, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
   Vito Vanoni, Project Architect, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
   Bill Bulkley, Project Landscape Architect, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
    
   The team presented the project, showing the changes they made since the last review by the Committee. They reported significant community outreach, including public meetings on June 19, June 26, July 10 and September 25, 2014. They presented material samples and discussed the placement of trees.
    
   The Committee discussed the project in detail, questioning the number of materials in the design, and the extensive use of spandrel; they also questioned the proportion between the upper and lower portions of the building. The Committee also discussed where public art might be placed; the team noted that the budget was under $50,000, and there was not much pedestrian traffic.
    
   Assistant Deputy Chief Ken Lombardi reiterated that the firefighters had very traditional tastes, and much preferred brick and tile to glass as a building material. He said that they were more concerned about the interior than the exterior of the building, and were satisfied with this design. He added that the Department of Public Works has been a great partner.
    
   The Committee further discussed the project and made several suggestions.
    
   There was no public comment, and the motion was approved unanimously as follows.
    
   Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Fire Station #5 project, contingent upon: (1) using a very durable and high-quality red tile or brick for the lower level; (2) simplifying the design by eliminating the light gray material on the north, south and west elevations; (3) using yellow rather than dark gray brick; (4) considering the use of natural and glazed tile in the same color; (5) revising the proportions of the red base and curtainwall sections; (6) refining the design of the curtainwall, including the location of windows; (7) making the ladder rail more invisible; (8) studying the graphic design of the signage and adding the station number; (9) considering additional lighting and studying opportunities for night lighting; (10) providing a rendering of nighttime lighting at the next review.
    
6. Dogpatch Arts Plaza: Phase 2
   Scott Cataffa, Project Landscape Architect, CMG Site
   Michael Yarne, Build Inc.
   Jared Press, Project Manager, Build Public
   Peter Pfau, Project Architect, Pfau Long Architects
    
   The team presented the project, describing changes made since the Committee’s prior review. They noted that they had been unsuccessful in their negotiations with Caltrans for use of a portion of the hillside for bleachers, but they had negotiated an encroachment to allow tree planting to mitigate highway noise. They also reported that they had held many public meetings to gather community input.
    
   There was no public comment, and the motion was approved unanimously as follows.
    
   Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Dogpatch Arts Plaza project contingent upon (1) considering a darker concrete to reduce glare; (2) considering the use of trees to help maintain the privacy of nearby residents.
    
7. Eagle Plaza: Conceptual Review
   Michael Yarne, Build Inc.
   Jared Press, Project Manager, Build Public
   Andrea Gaffney, Project Landscape Architect, Gehl Studio
   Mark Shkolnikov, Project Architect, Macy Architecture
    
   Commissioner Keehn left the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
    
   The team presented the project, a plaza recognizing the leather community, but open and accessible to everyone. They described the site and the context, the funding and the community input process, including a combination design charrette and beer bust. They discussed the importance of a green space for the neighborhood and the flexible nature of the proposed plaza. They also discussed the traffic control changes proposed.
    
   Alex Montiel and Mike Leon, owners of the Eagle, spoke about other challenges in the neighborhood, including break-ins, and expressed their commitment to prevent the problems other plazas in the City have faced.
    
   The Committee appreciated the flexibility of the space, but noted that permanent installations are sometimes better used by people actually in the space. The Committee discussed plans for managing and maintaining the space. The team explained that it will be a publicly-owned space and that they are committed to long-term community stewardship to manage and care for the space.
    
   The Committee also suggested that if children are really intended to use the plaza, their needs should be considered in the design. The Committee also asked about fencing and traffic.
    
   There was no public comment, and there was no motion.
    
   Commissioner Ordeñana left the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
    
8. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Operator Restrooms—19th and Buckingham Way and Sunnydale near McLaren School: Phase 2
   Tess Kavanagh, Project Manager, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
   Silvia Robertson, Project Designer, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
   Will Kwan, Project Architect, Bureau of Design and Construction, Public Works
    
   The team presented the project and discussed changes since the prior review. They noted that they were unsuccessful in negotiating placement of the restroom on the McLaren school grounds.
    
   The Committee suggested developing some landscaping around the facilities to provide some sense of place. They discussed lighting and utilities for the units.
    
   A representative of the drivers’ union stressed the importance of the facility for drivers, including over 600 women, many of whom drive at night, and added that there has been a good working relationship with the neighbors at both locations.
    
   There was no public comment, and the motion was approved unanimously as follows.
    
   Motion to approve Phase 2 of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Operator Restrooms at 19th and Buckingham Way and Sunnydale near McLaren School project.
    
9. Kimbell Playground Clubhouse Security Gate: Phases 1, 2 and 3
   This item was withdrawn from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.
    
10. Visual Arts Committee Update
    There was no report, and no public comment.
     
11. Staff Report
    There was no report, and no public comment.
     
12. New Business and Announcements
    Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Jill Manton proposed changing the regular starting time of the Committee’s meetings from 3:00 to 2:30. She agreed to discuss this with the remaining Committee members not currently present.
     
    There was no public comment.
     
13. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
     

    posted 4/30/15, 5:40 p.m., spr
    approved 5/4/15
     

    ---

    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, 415-252-2585, 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, 415-252-2585, 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, 415-252-2585, 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, 415-252-2585, jill.manton@sfgov.org.