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Home My WebLink About2015-01-15 Architectural Review Board Summary Minutes City of Palo Alto Page 1 ===== MEETINGS ARE CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 26 This agenda is posted in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Thursday, January 15, 2015, Meeting 8:30 AM, Council Chambers Call to Order Roll Call: Chair Randy Popp, Vice Chair Robert Gooyer, Board Members Alexander Lew, Kyu Kim, Catherine Ballantyne Staff: Amy French, Chief Planning Official; Diana Tamale, Administrative Associate III; Elizabeth Ames, Senior Project Manager; Christy Fong, Planner; Clare Campbell, Senior Planner; Jodie Gerhardt, Senior Planner Oral Communications: Members of the public may speak to any item not on the agenda; three minutes per speaker. The Architectural Review Board reserves the right to limit oral communications period to 15 minutes. None. Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions: The agenda may have additional items added to it up until 72 hours prior to meeting time. None. Minutes Approval: None. Public Hearing Items: 1. Bike Bridge Design Competition: Review and Comment on the Three Proposed Designs for the Palo Alto Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Overcrossing Design Competition. For more information contact Elizabeth Ames at Elizabeth.ames@cityofpaloalto.org. Recommendation Staff requested that the board provide general comments on the bridge concepts that will be forwarded to the City Council. Public comments: Vita Gorbunoval, spoke to the board about her personal opinion on aesthetics, noting the first project, the arc looks more prominent because it’s unnecessarily taller. Carl Jones, asked whether Palo Alto has to accept the designs as is or can ask for changes or modifications. He noted there are some wonderful parts of both designs that the other doesn’t necessarily have; for example, one has a pathway, stairway that allows you to get down on the west side. The Board provided comments on Item #1. 2. 429 University Avenue [14PLN-00222]: Request by Ken Hayes Architects, Inc. on behalf of Kipling Post LP for Architectural Review of a proposal to demolish two existing one-story ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MINUTES City of Palo Alto Page 2 commercial/retail buildings with a total of 11,633 sf and construct a 31,407 sf, four-story mixed use building with two levels of underground parking providing 40 on-site spaces on an 11,000 sf site in the Downtown Commercial (CD-C (GF)(P)) zoning district. Environmental Assessment: Initial Study and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration public review period was November 17, 2014 through December 12, 2014. The hearing of this item was continued from the December 18, 2014 ARB meeting to this date. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommended the Architectural Review Board (ARB) recommend the Director of Planning and Community Environment approve the proposed project, based upon the Architectural Review findings (Attachment A) and subject to the conditions of approval (Attachment B). Note: Verbatim minutes have been prepared for this item. Public Comments: Tim Orbelier, noted that he supports the project, and that Palo Alto needs more parking and housing. Vita Gorbunoval, stated that the scale of the building is out place for the area. Michael Harbour, noted that Kipling Street is unique and that the building being considered at the corner should not dominate the street. Architectural Review Board Action Vice Chair Gooyer moved seconded by Board Member Lew to continue the project to the meeting on February 19, 2015. Vote: Approval, 5-0-0-0 Board/Staff Announcements, Updates, Reports, and Comments: Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). Adjournment Subcommittee Members: Randy Popp and Catherine Ballantyne SUBCOMMITTEE ITEMS: 3. 456 University Avenue [14PLN-00226]: Request by Gensler for Subcommittee Review of signage and lighting details for a previously approved project for exterior modifications to the entry courtyard that include outdoor seating, new entry doors, signage, storefront system, and lighting for a Category 1 historic resource (Varsity Theater). Zone District: CD-C(GF)(P). Environmental Assessment: Categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA, Sections 15303 and 15331. The subcommittee approved the details with the following revisions: (1) The lettering on the three panels of the marquee cannot be modified with exception of updating new events; the remaining Hanahaus and Blue Bottle Coffee lettering and logos shall remain consistent with plans approved. (2) Once installed, the Subcommittee shall perform a site visit to determine the appropriate light intensity of the wall sign at the rear of the building. 4. 1730 Embarcadero [13PLN-00515]: Review of revisions to Audi's front landscaping, site fencing, exterior storage and bird friendly glass. Recommended approval with the following conditions: (1) Redesign of front landscaping, front auto display area, and retention of the requirement to provide two specimen trees. (2) Ornilux bird-friendly glass for the large expanses of glass in the auto showroom. (3) 6 gauge wire fence material for City of Palo Alto Page 3 perimeter fencing. (4) Exterior storage enclosure with no roof for parts that will be kept in their own containers. STAFF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW. Project Description: Re-facing of two exiting wall signs Applicant: Indiana Ortega Address: 525 University Avenue [14PLN-00441] Approval Date: 12/16/14 Request for hearing deadline: 12/29/14 Project Description: Re-facing of one existing monument sign Applicant: Indiana Ortega Address: 1860 Embarcadero Blvd [14PLN-00442] Approval Date: 12/16/14 Request for hearing deadline: 12/29/14 Project Description: To allow the installation of one non-illuminated wall sing on a commercial building Applicant: Thuy Tran Address: 2720 Middlefield Road [14PLN-00420] Approval Date: 12/30/14 Request for hearing deadline: 1/12/15 Project Description: A minor exterior modification that includes new paint color for an existing multifamily residential Applicant: Lee Lippert Address: 360 Sheridan Avenue [14PLN-00481] Approval Date: 12/31/14 Request for hearing deadline: 1/13/15 Project Description: Re-facing of two existing externally-illuminated monument signs Applicant: Stephanie Chong Address: 3400 Hillview Avenue [14PLN-00457] Approval Date: 1/5/15 Request for hearing deadline: 1/20/15 Project Description: Addition of three new panel antennas and three new remote radio heads installed behind the existing roof-top screen Applicant: Tom Derkas Address: 3600 W. Bayshore Road [14PLN-00456] Approval Date: 1/6/15 Request for hearing deadline: 1/20/15 Project Description: Addition of three new panel antennas and three new remote radio heads installed behind the existing roof-top screen Applicant: Tom Derkas Address: 925 Commercial Street [14PLN-00455] Approval Date: 1/6/15 Request for hearing deadline: 1/20/15 Sub-Committee Members: Terms: Randy Popp January 15, 2015 to May 7, 2015 Catherine Ballantyne January 15, 2015 to July 16, 2015 Alexander Lew May 21, 2015 to October 15, 2015 Kyu Kim July 16, 2015 to December 17, 2015 Robert Gooyer July 16, 2014 to December 17, 2014 City of Palo Alto Page 4 Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Architectural Review Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Planning and Community Environment Department at 250 Hamilton Avenue, 5th floor, Palo Alto, CA. 94301 during normal business hours. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA). The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation for this meeting or an alternative format for any related printed materials, please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 650.329.2550 (voice) or by e-mailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. PUBLIC COMMENT. Members of the Public are entitled to directly address the Architectural Review Board concerning any item that is described in the notice of this meeting, before or during consideration of that item. If you wish to address the Board on any issue that is on the agenda, please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the Board Secretary prior to discussion of the item. You are not required to give your name on the speaker card in order to speak to the Board, but it is very helpful. RECORDINGS. A DVD of the proceedings may be reviewed by contacting the City Clerk's Office at (650) 329-2571. LATE RECEIVED MATERIALS. Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Architectural Review Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Planning Department on the 5th floor, City Hall, 250 Hamilton Avenue during normal business hours. During the 9/80 Friday closure, materials will be available at the Development Center, 285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto. Please call 329-2603 to reserve a copy. All correspondence relating to any of the agenda items or non-agenda items, which were not received by the 2:00 PM deadline for inclusion into Board packets on the Thursday preceding the meeting date, need to be received before 3:00 PM on the date of the meeting for distribution to staff and Board members.