Minutes

Committee Chair Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
   Dorka Keehn
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Paul Woolford​
   
   Commissioners Absent
   n/a
   
   Staff Present
   Jill Manton, Director, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate, Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
   
   Commissioner Chair Kimberlee Stryker indicated that item #8 and #9 on the agenda would be switched, with the Westside Pump Station Reliability Improvements Project going before the SFPD Traffic Company and Forensic Service Division Facility Project.
    
3. Treasure Island Waterfront Plaza Restrooms: Phase #2
   Bob Beck, Project Manager, TIDA
   Julian Pancoast, Project Manager, TICD
   Amy Eliot, Principal, Dilworth Eliot Studio, Inc.
   Blake Sanborn, Principal, AECOM
   
   The design team presented the project, including existing site conditions, site plan context, detailed floor plan, precedent images, material palette, sections and elevations, and renderings of the restroom structures. While discussing materials, the team passed around samples of reflective material plates and channel glass proposed for use for the exterior of the building. The team shared elevations and views of the designed structure, commenting on the luminosity that would be achieved by the solar operated skylights. The team pointed out that they located the louvers for ventilation on the base of the structure, which would be covered by vegetation. The second half of the presentation covered the waterfront plaza landscape and streetscape materials, along with a lighting plan.
   
   The Committee stated that the restroom structures were beautiful and one of the best they have seen at Civic Design Review. They encouraged the team to use the polished aluminum plate sample which was preferred and offered the most reflective quality. The design team expressed that the budget could be an issue, and Commissioner Sadin offered to provided leads to manufacturers if need be.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the Treasure Island Waterfront Plaza Restrooms Project contingent upon the polished aluminum plate being the preferred exterior material, with the discretion of the design team to design the interior glazing.

 

4. SFMTA Transit Operator Convenience Facilities (Fulton St. & 7^th Ave.): Phase #2 & #3
   Rommel Taylor, Project Designer, SF Public Works
   Robert Mau, Project Manager, SFMTA
   Will Kwan, Architect, Public Works 
   
   The design team presented the temporary/ prefabricated facilities, including its size, design, color, and location. The units are to be 100 square feet and painted forest green color to match its background of foliage from Golden Gate Park. It will be located next to a bulb out location that removes three parking spaces in between 6^th Avenue and 7^th Avenue. The facilities will be located about 130 feet from where the buses stop, which is twenty feet farther than average. The team performed a walking distance study finding that it would be a 1.5 minute round trip journey. Due to Historical Preservation wanting to create distance between the convenience facility and the Powell Street Park Entrance historical structure, the unit was placed farther away.
   
   The Committee was concerned about the potential safety issues resulting from of the longer distance between the bus stop and convenience facility location. The design team said that they could put in additional lighting by attaching a junction box to the facility. The team also shared that they needed to compromise the location with Rec & Park and this was the best option.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 & #3 of the SFMTA Transit Operator Convenience Facilities (Fulton St. & 7th Ave.) Project.

 

5. Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground: Phase #1
   Cara Ruppert, Project Manager, SF Rec & Park
   Frank Merritt, Architect, Jensen Architects
   Willett Moss, Landscape Architect, CMG Landscape Architecture
   
   The design team presented an overview of the schematic design for the playground and clubhouse, along with updates on the bridge design, landscape, playground, and public art component. In the presentation, they reviewed the comments from the last meeting and the updates, which include simplifying the bridge construction and circulation, increasing the programmable space on the court level, and increasing the bridge opening. Along with addressing these improvements, the team added a column for bridge support and designated the fence as the location for the art enrichment program. The team also provided playground precedents, and shared that they were speaking with two play structure companies for ideas and research on playground elements.
   
   For the clubhouse updates, the design team presented the proposed floor plans and elevations, along with the design of various entry points. The team also presented the material palette for the clubhouse.
   
   The Committee commented that overall the design still had a lot going on and needed to be simplified. This includes the use of the different types of fencing used in the playground, as well as how the fences transitioned throughout the site. Furthermore, there were points that still need to be investigated such as the appropriate location of the existing pagoda and the design of the bridge column. Overall the Committee reflected on the playground’s extraordinary transformation, but the need for more refinement.
   
   Public Comment:
   
   Henry, Project Manager from the Community Youth Center in Chinatown, shared that Willie “Woo Woo” Playground and clubhouse was a central part of the community. The space serves as a venue for multiple kinds of programming, including event space, dance studio, youth workshops, festivals that serve the community from youth to senior. He expressed that it is amazing to have this project being built for the community and is an opportunity to make it better for the people living there.
   
   Annie, a representative of the Community Youth Center, spoke in support of the project as it provided resources for the community, including professional development and disaster preparedness. She expressed that there is no other space like this that serves the community and that this project will make a big difference.
   
   Erica Gee spoke as a representative of the Chinatown Community Development Center and part of the Committee for Parks and Rec in Chinatown which meets with the design team on this project. She shared that they are excited about the new design and expressed their thankfulness to the team for their responsiveness to the community in the design process. She explained that the team had gone above and beyond to meet, listen, and observe the community and take their concerns. The design team has been responsive to the community’s needs and aesthetics.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground Project contingent upon 1) simplifying the concrete beam connection to ballast railing, 2) exploring other column options, 3) simplifying overall fencing of playground, 4) finding an appropriate location for the pagoda, and 5) communicating materials of the park to the Waverly Street façade.
    
6. San Francisco Central Shops Replacement Facilities - Selby Galvez: Phase #2
   
   Terri Emery, Project Designer and Architect, FME Architecture + Design
   Patty Solis, Project Manager, SF Public Works
   Meghen Quinn, Landscape Architect, Quinn Landscape ArchitectsCommissioner
   
   
   The design team presented their updated design based on the Committee’s comments from their last review. In the new design, the team scaled down the city seal, dropped the size of the central sign to fit between the roof and windows, realigned the midline of the building, and changed the color of the base to a dark gray.
   
   The Committee acknowledged that the team had addressed their concerns and had no comment.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #2 of the San Francisco Central Shops Replacement Facilities - Selby Galvez Project.

 

7. SFO Long Term Parking Lot #2: Phase #1
   Tasso Mavroudis, Project Manager, SFO
   Robert Janson, Architect, Kwan-Henmi/FMG Architects
   
   The design team presented the project, highlighting the project context, site and floor plans, elevations and renderings, materials, and landscape plan. The design of the garage includes six levels, a solar panel roof, and data towers. Moreover, the team showcased the interior elements of the building, including the lighting, graphics, and signage. For the landscape, the team provided a plant palette and shared their concept of representing butterflies through rock formations. This was to represent the possible extinction of butterflies in that region. Lastly, the team showed a 3D video rendering of the garage that provided a 360* view of the entire structure.
   
   The Committee expressed that the large south west facing façade was very unrelenting. As it is such a prominent façade that drivers will see when arriving at SFO airport, the Committee suggested that the team return for an informal to provide more thorough studies and design options for the structure. The Committee also suggested that the landscape concept be more developed, as it may have been too literal of an idea related to nature.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion was not approved for Phase #1 of the SFO Long Term Parking Lot #2 project.
    
8. Westside Pump Station Reliability Improvements: Phase #1
   Tiffany Gong, Project Designer, SF Public Works
   Brian Carlomagno, Project Manager, SFPUC
   Stanley So, Architect, SF Public Works
   Edward Chin, Landscape Architects, SF Public Works
   
   The design team presented updates to their design, highlighting their proposed underground additions of a new redundant channel, new bar screen shaft, and west pump chamber expansion, as well as an above ground addition of a new electrical building. The team showcased their proposed site plan, along with two schemes of design for the building. Both schemes were the same design, except used different materials – one glass and the other concrete. Scheme A, which used concrete, was preferred as it would be less maintenance than glass. Lastly, the team presented on their landscape plan and palette, providing heights, size, textures and bloom for year round color.
   
   The Committee also preferred Scheme A and suggested using a concreate header band instead of a metal one. Moreover, they recommended keeping the concrete consistent throughout the building. The Committee commented on the nice planting palette and beautiful landscape drawings.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the Westside Pump Station Reliability Improvements Project contingent upon 1) keeping concrete consistent, 2) simplifying the cornice detail by taking out the chevron pattern, and 3) using a concrete header band in lieu of the metal band and 4) having a thinner metal strip at the top for flashing purposes.
    
9. SFPD Traffic Company and Forensic Service Division Facility: Phase #1
   Alan Bright, Project Designer, HOK
   Michael Rossetto, Project Manager, SF Public Works
   Kyle Prenzlow, Architect, HOK
   Martha Ketterer, Landscape Architect, SF Public Works
   
   Commissioner Paul Woolford recused himself at 4:51pm as his firm HOK is involved with the project design of the facility.
   
   The design team presented the project, reviewing the mission/ goals, reference images, site plan, existing conditions, zoning/ massing, and design drivers. They provided details of the multiple floor plans and programming, along with studies of daylight and solar analysis. As part of their design concept for the elevations of the buildings, the team used ideas from strand marks of DNA testing to define their segments within the façade. They went on to show studies of their corner aperture portal and landscaping. The main focus of the landscape presentation was the entry plaza terrace and sloping entrance. They presented precedent images, alternative sloped entrances, and illustrations of the site plan of the preferred entry.
   
   The Committee expressed that there were a number of different design elements going on with the building and that it needed to be simplified. They also expressed that the landscape and entry terrace needed better connection with the building, and were worried that the plaza may not be used by many.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the SFPD Traffic Company and Forensic Service Division Facility Project contingent upon 1) simplifying the exterior skin design by simplifying the materials used and investigating the proportions of the different materials to better unify the building, and 3) providing studies of the landscape of the plaza and its relationship to the building.
    
10. Staff Report
    Jill Manton reported back on the Civic Design Review Committee’s purview relative to the Helen Diller Playgrounds Project in Civic Center Plaza. The staff and the Art Commission’s deputy City Attorney did research and found former city attorney opinion’s that indicated that Civic Design Review purview only extends to structures on public property. This means that their comments regarding the planting and location of trees, as well as the entrances to the park are only advisory. As for the color of the play structures, the Historic Preservation Commission determined that there should be no color and their authority supersedes that of the Arts Commission. Jill Manton addressed the question of taking action, as this could set a dangerous precedent of having other projects not come to Civic Design Review. She shared that the City Attorney agreed that we should take action, relative to our authority, and provide some clarification in the resolution that indicates Civic Design Review has made advisory recommendations that are on record. Jill Manton draft a motion that will reflect this and share it with the Director of Cultural Affairs and the Director of Rec & Park.
    
    Commissioner Sadin thanked Manton for all her efforts and stated that she would like to review the issue of the Arts Commission’s jurisdiction over landscape design with the City Attorney. She stated that landscape is now having greater influence on structures compared to the eighties. 
     
11.  Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:54 p.m.
    posted 10/31/16, 1:25 p.m., akl
    approved 11/7/16
     

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.