HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-19 Architectural Review Board Summary Minutes
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Thursday, November 19, 2015, Meeting
8:30 AM, Council Chambers
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: Chair Robert Gooyer; Vice Chair Alexander Lew, Board Members Kyu Kim, Wynne Furth,
Peter Baltay
Absent: None.
Staff Present: Jodie Gerhardt, Current Planning Manager; Diana Tamale, Administrative Associate III;
Rebecca Atkinson, Planner; Clare Campbell, Senior Planner; Sheldon Ah Sing, Contract
Planner
Oral Communications: None.
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions: None.
Minutes Approval: November 5, 2015
MOTION: Board Member Furth moved, seconded by Board Member Kim, to approve the minutes of
November 5, 2015 as presented.
MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Continued Business:
1. 180 El Camino Real [15PLN-00350]: Request by Sarah Petereit, on behalf of the Board of
Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, for Major Architectural Review of façades and
signage for Victoria's Secret/PINK in Building CC at Stanford Shopping Center. Environmental
Assessment: Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act per Section 15301. Zoning District: Community Commercial (CC). This item was continued
from the meeting of November 5, 2015.
Rebecca Atkinson reviewed the key issues and proposed deviations for the project. Staff recommended
approval subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Erica Nelles, McCall Design Group, shared changes made to the project in response to Board Member
comments.
Board Members inquired about the new bump-out in relation to the lease line; letter size for the sign on
the eyebrow and deviation therefor; and compliance with City Code.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Board Members commented regarding a detail of the eyebrow over the door on Quarry Walk; Finding
15(a); the condition of approval to add a window on Lady Ellen Place; line of sight from Lady Ellen Place
to Electioneer Court; and the polka dot material sample.
MOTION: Board Member Baltay moved, seconded by Board Member Kim, to recommend approval
subject to Subcommittee review of the eyebrow sign and deletion of Finding 15(a).
Board Member discussed Condition of Approval No. 5 and Finding 15(a).
AMENDED MOTION: Board Member Baltay moved, seconded by Board Member Kim, to recommend
approval subject to Subcommittee review of the eyebrow sign and deletion of Condition 5.
AMENDED MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0
2. 180 El Camino Real [15PLN-00355]: Request by Jason Smith, on behalf of the Board of
Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, for Major Architectural Review of façades and
signage, including a sign exception, for The North Face in Building CC at Stanford Shopping
Center. Zoning District: Community Commercial (CC). Environmental Assessment:
Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per
CEQA Guideline Section 15301. This item was continued from the meeting of November 5, 2015.
Rebecca Atkinson noted proposed signage required approval of sign exceptions. Staff provided other
North Face building facades that were more successful than the proposed project. Staff recommended
continuing the project to a date certain to allow the applicant to revise the project further. Draft Findings
did not include approval of sign exceptions.
Jason Smith, applicant, noted changes eliminated the need for exceptions to the Sign Code.
Eli Petricka, North Face, explained that the North Face wanted to debut a new store design at this
location. He went on to review changes to the proposed design.
Vice Chair Lew questioned screening of mechanical equipment.
Board Members commented on stone on the façade; updated design on the blade sign; illuminated
cabinet signs; placement of video displays; the south façade; size and placement of the logo; the living
wall; and placing a vitrine on the Quarry Walk side.
MOTION: Vice Chair Lew moved, seconded by Board Member Furth, to continue the item to December
17, 2015.
MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0
New Business:
Major Reviews
3. 1700 Embarcadero Road [15PLN-00394]: Request by Deeg Snyder, on behalf of Jones Palo
Alto Real Property, LLC. for a Major Architectural Review to demolish the existing approximately
18,000 square feet building and to construct a new approximately 62,000 square feet building for
an automobile dealership in the CS (D) Service Commercial and Site Design Review Combining
District. The application includes a Design Enhancement Exception request to allow deviation
from the 10 feet build-to-line from Embarcadero Road and a request to allow zoning change for
the Automobile Dealership (AD) overlay.
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Sheldon Ah Sing reported Staff review had not been completed and requested the ARB provide feedback
rather than a formal recommendation. Staff recommended the item be continued.
Deeg Snyder provided details of landscaping, public art, and the building.
Board Members remarked regarding drawings submitted; the bike station; the Baylands monument sign;
plant selection; height limit including elevator overrun; color of the building; lighting of the public art;
height and mass of the building; the car wash building; font of signage; and integration of the project
with the Baylands.
4. 2747 & 3045 Park Boulevard [14PLN-00388/14PLN-00389]: Scoping meeting for the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the redevelopment of two parcels on
Park Boulevard with a new three-story 33,323 square foot office building at 2747 Park and a two
story 29,120 square foot office building at 3045 Park. Zone District: GM and GM(AD).
[Heard after Item 6.]
Karly Kaufman, Rincon Consultants, advised that the purpose of the scoping meeting was to inform the
community and interested parties about the project and the Environmental Impact Report and to receive
input. The two sites would be analyzed as one project. The comment period was open until
December 4, 2015.
Board Members provided remarks regarding underground parking and underground contamination;
neighbors' concerns about contamination during construction; on-street parking; proximity to high speed
rail; broadening the project description; and impacts to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Study Sessions:
5. 2747 Park Blvd. [15PLN-00388]: Request by DES Architects and Engineers, on behalf of the
Jay Paul Company, for Study Session review of a proposed 33,323 square‐foot, three‐story
R&D/office building with surface/deck parking for 140 vehicles, and other site improvements.
The existing 4,800 square‐foot commercial building would be demolished. Zone District: GM
General Manufacturing.
Clare Campbell reported both Items 5 and 6 were subject to the recently adopted cap on office
development, and all entitlement steps had to be completed by March 31, 2016 in order for the projects
to be eligible for approval in 2016.
Tom Gilman, DES Architects, shared the concepts for and details of the project.
Board Members inquired about zoning for the site and height requirements; parking; and the street
connecting to the Caltrain station.
Board Members commented on outdoor spaces; bicycle accommodations; pedestrian pathway between
the building and the parking structure; height of the stair tower; amount of glazing; the mechanical
screen; use of the main entrance versus the plaza entrance; location of the garage; and relocating the
oak tree.
6. 3045 Park Blvd. [15PLN-00389]: Request by DES Architects and Engineers, on behalf of the
Jay Paul Company, for Study Session review of a proposed 29,120 square‐foot, two‐story
R&D/office building with 121 surface/deck parking, and other site improvements. The existing
17,756 square‐foot two‐story commercial building would be demolished. Zone District: GM(AD)
General Manufacturing with Automobile Dealership overlay.
City of Palo Alto Page 4
Tom Gilman, DES Architects, related details of the proposed project. Based on comments in the previous
item, he would consider methods to limit the mechanical equipment areas.
Board Members remarked regarding the building addressing Olive Avenue; landscape screening for the
adjacent residences; sunscreens; number of entrances; lights on the parking deck; landscape buffer for
adjoining property; and interior stairway.
Board/Staff Announcements, Updates, Reports, and Comments: None.
Adjournment
Subcommittee Members: Robert Gooyer and Wynne Furth
SUBCOMMITTEE ITEM
7. 180 El Camino Real [15PLN-00123]: Review responses to Condition of Approval #13
regarding bird-friendly glazing, refinements to facades, and refinements for the outdoor seating
area and environs for Anthropologie at Stanford Shopping Center.
Subcommittee Action: ARB Subcommittee reviewed the responses to Condition of Approval #16
regarding bird-friendly glazing, refinements to facades, and refinements for the outdoor seating area and
environs for Anthropologie at Stanford Shopping Center, dated received November 17, 2015. The ARB
Subcommittee approved the responses, with the following requirements for building permit plans: a) to
incorporate a method of screening within the railing design that is not solid, such as use of a hanging
planter box or a decorative perforated panel, b) to provide a minimum of 8 feet of sidewalk clearance
with safe footing between the open entrance doors and the adjacent planting strip, c) to resubmit tables
and chairs that do not contain ornate decorative metal, and d) to review bird-friendly specifications with
the City’s Green Building Coordinator.
Subcommittee Motion:
STAFF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW:
Project Description: One new wall sign and re-facing of two existing monument signs
Applicant: Bruce Brenton
Address: 3000 Hanover [15PLN-00376]
Approval Date: 11/4/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/17/15
Project Description: Six new signs, including one monument sign, one wall sign, and four window signs
Applicant: Craig Yeszin
Address: 816 San Antonio Road [15PLN-00252]
Approval Date: 11/5/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/18/15
Project Description: To replace one existing externally illuminated freestanding sign
Applicant: Bruce Brenton
Address: 1501 Page Mill Road [15PLN-00380]
Approval Date: 11/5/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/18/15
Project Description: Exterior building signage including two free-standing and three wall mounted
nonilluminated
signs
Applicant: Marco Aguirre
City of Palo Alto Page 5
Address: 853 Middlefield Road [15PLN-00274]
Approval Date: 11/5/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/18/15
Project Description: Removal of an existing freestanding and directional sign, and installation of a new
freestanding sign
Applicant: DeAnn Jurach
Address: 770 Welch Road [15PLN-00415]
Approval Date: 11/6/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/19/15
Project Description: Improvements to an existing parking lot and landscaping
Applicant: Ryan Marlin
Address: 3412 Louis Road [15PLN-00169]
Approval Date: 11/9/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/23/15
Project Description: Two halo-illuminated wall signs and new exterior paint color
Applicant: Christy Ortins
Address: 180 El Camino Real [15PLN-00402]
Approval Date: 11/10/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/23/15
Project Description: Relocate a strom drain catch basin and to alter landscaping and a drive aisle
Applicant: Jacob Nguyen
Address: 3431 Hillview Avenue [15PLN-00329]
Approval Date: 11/10/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/23/15
Project Description: To allow façade improvement to an existing multiple-family residential building
Applicant: Tommy Derrick
Address: 3101 Middlefield Road [15PLN-00430]
Approval Date: 11/10/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/23/15
Project Description: Site improvements that include landscape and parking lot changes
Applicant: Alfonso Socias
Address: 4139 El Camino Real Way [15PLN-00358]
Approval Date: 11/10/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/23/15
Project Description: Site signage for six new signs, including one illuminated free-standing sign and one
illuminated wall sign
Applicant: Ruth Bennett
Address: 1730 Embarcadero Road [15PLN-00296]
Approval Date: 11/13/15
Request for hearing deadline: 11/30/15