HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-03 Architectural Review Board Summary Minutes
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Thursday, September 3, 2015, Meeting
8:30 AM, Council Chambers
ARB Retreat to be held afterwards
in the Community Room
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: Chair Robert Gooyer; Vice Chair Alexander Lew, Board Members Kyu Kim, Wynne Furth
Absent: None.
Staff Present: Amy French, Chief Planning Official; Diana Tamale, Administrative Associate III;
Jonathan Lait, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Environment; Jodie
Gerhardt, Interim Current Planning Manager; Matt Weintraub, Historic Preservation
Planner
Oral Communications: None
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions: None
Minutes Approval: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ARB Findings: Discussion regarding a proposed reduction in the number of ARB findings for approval.
Amy French reported she and Assistant Director Jonathan Lait had reviewed the Architectural Review
approval findings as part of the larger omnibus. The ARB would discuss the possibility of reducing the
number of findings from 16 to 5.
Jonathan Lait indicated staff was bringing the findings forward in response to comments made by the
Council and community members regarding the quality of findings. Some findings were no longer
relevant or were duplicative.
Board Members expressed concerns regarding consolidated findings could reduce the ARB's discretionary
powers; the lack of concrete nouns; the lack of applicant focus on pedestrian, bicycle and transit access
to sites; applicants' failure to address anticipated climate change impacts to the project; proposed
findings did not adequately address issues of parking and surrounding context; and not retaining some
specific language. Board Members suggested a finding to emphasize green buildings, combining Items 2
and 3, and retaining language regarding the project enhancing the quality of residential life.
Mr. Lait advised that the reduction of the number of findings was not intended to minimize the Board's
authority, but to allow the Board maximum discretion to impose conditions or require project
modifications. He was reviewing application materials to ensure the Board and the public received the
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES
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kinds of information they needed to have a thoughtful review of a project. Staff would include language
from existing Finding 11 regarding "appropriately preserve natural features" and would consider adding a
finding to capture green buildings. Parking issues were a matter of policy, and findings should reflect
policy set by the City Council. He proposed returning at the next ARB meeting with a revised version of
the proposed findings.
Board Members and staff discussed using the term "sustainable" versus "green" and integrating sign
design from the beginning of a project.
Retreat Topics:
A. Board Business:
1. Director and Council Decisions Post-ARB – Discuss communication of decisions back to ARB.
2. ARB v Staff Recommendation – Discuss modifications of projects via findings and conditions.
3. Signs – Discuss ‘wall sign’ v ‘roof sign’ definitions, projecting signs, and exception findings.
B. ARB 2015 Design Awards: ARB members will discuss projects eligible for the 2015 ARB
Awards to arrive at a short list.
Board/Staff Announcements, Updates, Reports, and Comments:
Subcommittee Members: Alex Lew and Wynne Furth
SUBCOMMITTEE ITEMS: None.
STAFF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW: None.