Design Review Commission Meeting Location: Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue June 19, 2013 MINUTES 75 Rowland Way, #200 Novato, CA 94945-3232 415/899-8900 FAX 415/899-8213 www.cityofnovato.org Mayor Pat Eklund Mayor Pro Tem Eric Lucan Councilmembers Denise Athas Madeline Kellner Jeanne MacLeamy City Manager Michael S. Frank Present: Absent: Staff: Patrick MacLeamy, Chair Michael Barber, Vice Chair Joseph Farrell Beth Radovanovich Jon Strickling Tom Telfer Elizabeth Dunn, Planning Manager Alan Lazure, Principal Planner CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order. APPROVAL OF FINAL AGENDA: The final agenda was approved. PUBLIC COMMENT: None CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 2013 (PM, JF, TT) The March 6, 2013 meeting minutes were continued. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 17, 2013 (TT, MB, JS) The April 17, 2013 meeting minutes were continued. PUBLIC HEARINGS CONTINUED ITEMS: None 6dm1913 1
NEW ITEMS: 3. CHICK-FIL-A (RM) P2013-005; DESIGN REVIEW APN 153-320-07; 35 ROWLAND WAY Conduct a public hearing to consider the site design, architecture, and revised landscape plan proposed for a Chick-fil-A restaurant at 35 Rowland Way. The Novato Environmental Coordinator has determined the Chick-fil-A proposal is categorically exempt pursuant to Sections 15302- Replacement or Reconstruction, and Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. The architect for Chick-fil-A provided highlights the proposal: No outdoor seating area Ivory colored stucco, with a smooth trowel finish Install plants with vibrant color Tulip trees along Rowland Way replaced, with four 24 box London Plane trees; onegallon crepe myrtle to be installed in the parking lot; variegated flax material to be installed COMMISSION COMMENTS WITH STAFF RESPONSES: Commissioner MacLeamy wanted to know how this proposal complies with parking lot tree standards. The project architect indicated as close as possible to the City s standards. Commissioner MacLeamy thought this is a well articulated building, and takes architecture of fast food restaurants a step further. Commissioner Farrell felt that the applicant was missing an opportunity along Rowland Boulevard for installing shade trees. Commissioner Barber wanted the applicant to consider an exterior color other than white. Commissioner Radovanovich was disappointed about the appearance of a building that s been designed to be a box in a parking lot. There s not outdoor seating it s all about the car. Commissioner MacLeamy stated this is a use that s needed but it s a tough decision to make. It s elegant: the inside is for the people/customers; the outside is for the car. Consider installing more London plane trees. Commissioner Barber agreed that more trees at the south end of the building should be installed. He also suggested painting large (3 x 3 ) areas of color on the building for the DRC to consider 6dm1913 2
and approve. He felt that three color patches would be sufficient in order to make a decision about an exterior color. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. COMMISSION ACTION: Motion/Second, Michael Barber/Joe Farrell, to approve the proposal as presented with two new conditions: 1) add four more London plane tree at the south end of the building along Rowland Boulevard; and 2) on site approval of exterior color with at least three colors to be applied to the building. The DRC can hold a meeting at the site to choose the color. Ayes: 3 (Barber, Farrell, MacLeamy) Noes: 1 (Radovanovich) PROJECT DESIGN WORKSHOP: 4. PUBLIC ART AT UMPQUA BANK (ED) P2013-027; DESIGN REVIEW APN 153-061-03; 999 GRANT AVENUE Conduct a workshop to discuss the proposed public art for the Umpqua Bank building at 999 Grant Avenue. An environmental review is not required to conduct a workshop. Liz Newhouse, representing Umpqua Bank, and Dardinelle Troen presented the public art proposal for the Umpqua Bank site. Umpqua is a community bank, and as such, embracing the community is part of Umpqua s corporate culture. A neighborhood narrative is proposed. This is an idea that is researched and designed to be specific to a neighborhood. They propose to tell a story that represents the character of the community. Their idea is to install a light panel along one of the window areas along Redwood Boulevard. The light panel is of Novato Creek with a view of the tress in the foreground, and hills in the background. Installing the light panel at this location allows the inner workings (back of house) functions of the bank to be screened and private while telling this story to the passersby who see the art. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. COMMISSION COMMENTS: 6dm1913 3
The Commission felt that the art is tucked away. It would have been nice to have the art integrated into the building. As proposed, the art isn t prominent, and inquired if other locations, and treatments had been considered. A more prominent place for public art would be at the corner of the building or at the concave area along Grant Avenue. Additionally, one Commissioner felt the art at this location was jarring with the ATM at this location. As a whole, the Commission also had concerns about the potential for graffiti and vandalism to occur on the art piece. As this is a Workshop, the Commission gave the following direction to Umpqua Bank: Consider the corner of the building or at the other return of the building (concave area along Grant Avenue) Concerns about vandalism Consider installing art in the sidewalk Have the neighborhood narrative tell the story both inside and outside the building 5. SHELL GAS STATION RENOVATION (ED) P2013-017; DESIGN REVIEW APN 132-183-12; 2085 NOVATO BLVD Conduct a Design Review workshop on the renovation, new architecture, and enhanced site plan for an existing gas station and convenience market. An environmental review is not required to conduct a workshop. Muthana Ibrahim, architect for the applicant, presented the proposal to the Commission. A complete renovation of the gas station is proposed. The fuel pumps would be in the same area, just staggered to allow greater separation between vehicles. The biggest change is at the convenience market, where the building is pushed back to be parallel to the property line, and is a larger building, with a second story element for the office. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner MacLeamy reminded the Commission that the order of review of plans should be site plan, architecture, and everything else. Commissioner Radovanovich likes the orientation. The proposal creates a front to the site, and likes the canopy. Commission MacLeamy thinks the edge between the asphalt and concrete at Novato Boulevard needs to be softened, as does the transition at Novato Boulevard, and the alleyway between the gas station site and the residential neighbors to the west. 6dm1913 4
As this is a Workshop, the Commission gave the following direction to the architect: Increase the landscaping near the median island near the store Articulate the parapet wall Move the office back, if possible Create a more residential feel to the slope of the roof; create more interest at the northern elevation Install more plants, and less lawn, and install trees along Novato Boulevard GENERAL BUSINESS: None ADJOURNMENT: Adjourned by the Vice Chair at 10:10 p.m. 6dm1913 5