Minutes

 

Committee Chair Kimberlee Stryker called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
   Dorka Keehn
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Paul Woolford​
   Lydia So
   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 #3 and #4 on the agenda would be switched, with the SEP Power Feed and Primary Switchgear Upgrades Project going before the SEP New Headworks Facility Project.
3. SEP Power Feed and Primary Switchgear Upgrades: Phase #1
   Fara Perez and Tiffany Gong, Project Designer, SF Public Works
   Jignesh Desai, Project Manager, SF PUC
   Fara Perez and Mike Pierron, Architect, Public Works
   Linda Cyra-Korsgaard, Landscape Architect, CH2M
   
   The design team explained that the project was minimized in scope by 50%, which has significantly changed the design of the building. In the presentation, they shared the new site plan, floor plans, building section, precedent images, and elevations of the old and new proposed design. The team explained that they would keep the same concept design and form, but added ten inches to the height and cantilever stair on the side of the building. Lastly, the landscape palette was presented, showcasing plants that are low maintenance, low water intake, and with non-evasive roots.
   
   The Committee questioned why the team chose to have the cantilever stairs as it seemed like an appendage and not fully incorporated to the building. They suggested finding a simpler and muscular way to handle the cantilever stairs. The Committee appreciated the unifying campus planting palette.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the SEP Power Feed and Primary Switchgear Upgrades project contingent upon the stairs being more holistically incorporated with the concrete massing of building.
4. SEP New Headworks Facility: Phase #1
   Victor Shih, Project Designer, SF PUC
   Jignesh Desai, Project Manager, SF PUC
   Jean Von Bargen Root, Architect, MWA Architects
   Linda Cyra-Korsgaard, Landscape Architect, CH2M
   
   The design team presented the project, beginning with the design guidelines and moving on to the updated design of the project. They presented the existing conditions, floor plans, functional and structural/ screening components, material palette and precedents, elevation studies, and the four episodes of the perimeter façade. The team went on to describe each episode theme, which include power, influent, screening, and settling. Each episode was designed in relation to actual filtering process in the structures behind. They also shared that the artist chosen for the public art component was Norie Sato. She would be involved with the architects in providing design guidance for the wall and taking on the public art opportunity for this project. Lastly, the team shared the landscape plan for Evans Avenue that showcased vegetated bulbouts and tree options.
   
   The Committee stated that the entire façade needed a more unified rhythm and proportioning, especially the ribbed wall of the second episode. They suggested the team simplify their design so that the identity of episodes is clarified, as well as focus on the connections between the masses. The Committee asked the team to come back for an Informal Review before coming back for the next phase. They suggested that the artist be present to participate in the Informal.
   
   Public Comment:
   
   Robin Chiang, volunteer Executive Director of Friends of Islais Creek, shared his observations of the area since co-founding Friends of Islais Creek thirty years ago. He mentioned that there is a high incidence of cancer due to the surrounding environment and expressed the importance and need for environmental education of the area. He commended the designers and asked them to imagine themselves living in the neighborhood and what it may be like to experience this project long term to better assist their perspective of the design.
   
   There was no further public comment.
   
   Motion to approve Phase #1 of the SEP New Headworks Facility project contingent upon 1) creating a unified rhythm by developing the proportions of the wall through patterns and materials, 2) resolving the ribbed walls of the influent episode wall, and 3) addressing the transitions of the episode walls.

 

5. SFO AirTrain Extension and Improvements Project: Conceptual Review
   Robin Chiang, Project Designer and Architect, Design by the Bay
   Tony Breslin, Project Manager, SFO
   
   The design team presented their project partners, existing train system, proposed station extensions, sections, floor plans, and elevations of the stations. The hotel station showcased a two floor plan with similar design elements to emulate the hotel facades. From this station, riders would be able to have direct access to airport hotel. The one level long term parking station would be located right next to the long term parking garages #2 and #3 and car rental building. This station would allow riders to access the adjacent buildings and may have an optional elevator. The long term parking station would also have a vestibule that would serve as a central lobby for the surrounding buildings and gallery-like space that would be a possible placement of Robert Arnerson sculptures.  
   
   The Committee expressed that rather than having the hotel station be a mini version of the hotel, that the team explore using architectural aspects of the airport itself as precedence. They also asked the team why the long term parking station was not more of a linear expression versus having a vestibule head house at the end of the station. If there was no programmatic driver for the head house, the Committee asked if it was necessary. They explained that there was opportunity to simplify the design and build less. The Committee asked that the team schedule an informal.
   
   There was no further public comment.
6. Golden Gate Park Tennis Center Project: Conceptual Review
   Marc L’Italien, Project Designer, HGA
   Anne Baskerville, Project Manager, SF Rec & Park
   Architect, EHDD
   Landscape Architect, Lutsko Associates
   
   The design team presented their proposal for the new design of the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center. The introduction included site context and history, the project goals, the community engagement process and feedback. The next half of the presentation focused on design of the center, including the layout and technical requirements of the courts, design inspiration, concept design, site plan of the courts and clubhouse, and sketched illustrations of the proposed elevations. The team shared that they kept the original outline of the perimeter of the courts, but minimized the number of courts to ensure each was updated to the guidelines of the US Tennis Association. In addition, the team implemented lights that provide additional hours of play. The clubhouse would be renovated to integrate glass and walls that could open and focus on the tennis courts. A model of the clubhouse was passed around to share with the Committee.
   
   The Committee commented on the beautiful and fluid massing of the clubhouse and appreciated the model presented at this stage of conceptual review. The Committee suggested that the team work on the relationship with the existing landscape and park itself, specifically on how the building touches the west side. It was recommended that more focus be put on this area. Additionally, the Committee clarified to the team that the percent for arts was voluntary as this project is on public land that is not privately funded.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
7. Visual Arts Committee Update
   
   Commissioner Dorka Keehn shared Norie Sato’s public art experience and images of her past work. Sato was provided only a short timeline for her public art proposal; however, it was expressed that Sato would work with the architects to ensure an artist’s perspective and guidance in the design of the SEP Headworks façade. During this update, it was also announced that a second public meeting would occur that week in regards to the development of the Treasure Island arts program.
    
8. Staff Report
   Jill Manton shared that Committee Chair, Commissioner Stryker, wanted to renew and improve communications with other city agencies, such as Public Works, Public Utilities Commission, Airport Design Review Committee, and other agencies Civic Design Review works with to reconcile differences and relationships. It was suggested that there could be a commission-to-commission, peer-to-peer conversation with other departments to form a cohesive framework of their architecture and the project, along with how to be more effective in supporting and working together. Jill Manton also mentioned that she will set up a meeting with Commissioners Stryker, Commissioner Schnair and the City Attorney to revisit the interpretation of the Administrative Code in relation to Civic Design Review jurisdiction on landscaping.
    
9. New Business and Announcements
    
10. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
    posted 10/28/16, 1:10 p.m., akl
    approved 12/5/16
     

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.