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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPCC Minutes 1995-06-05SRCC MINUTES (Special) 6/5/95 Page 1 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, JUNE 5,1995, AT 6:15 PM Special Meeting: Present: Albert J. Boro, Mayor San Rafael City Council Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember Barbara Heller, Councilmember Gary 0. Phillips, Councilmember Dave Zappetini, Councilmember Absent: None Also Present: Jeanne M. Leoncini, City Clerk 1. PRESENTATION OF DRAFT FALKIRK GROUNDS CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN (Cult. Affs.) - File Mayor Boro announced that a couple of weeks ago this presentation was made to the staff and he had the opportunity to see it. He thought it was excellent and the all -volunteer group has done a great job on the grounds at Falkirk, with some expansion. He wanted it brought before the Council as soon as possible so that, assuming the Council would conceptually approve the ideas, they would like to go out to the community at large and talk about the plan. They did not want to do that without the Council seeing it first. Ms. Carol Adney, Falkirk Executive Director, announced that the volunteer committee of 7 people - one architect, landscape architects, and lay volunteers - and they have put in 864 hours as of about 3 weeks ago, with about 30 more hours since. Before they make their presentation, Judith Mallory, the Development Consultant, will set the context in which this plan is working so the Council can see the entire picture and why this plan is being created. Ms. Judith Mallory gave a brief presentation on the background of the plan. She explained that about a year ago the Capital Committee began working on a plan to restore the interior of Falkirk. She added that people are aware of the Victorian house, but not of the 11 acres which surround it. They also wanted to be "in sync" with the Downtown Vision. Ms. Mallory briefed the Council on the future events and activities planned, involving events of interest for the entire community. She also explained the Capital Campaign, and announced that the exterior renovations will be completed this month. Regarding the upgrading of the interior of the house, she pointed out how the first floor has deteriorated because of the public use and that it needs considerable work. She explained that when the volunteers came together to see what they might do with the grounds, their charge was to look at the grounds in terms of a multipurpose usage in ways that would help Falkirk increase its earned income, and increase its contributed income for support and maintain the vision. Mr. Barry Hibben stated that back in 1978 the City hired Bruce Judd to do a conceptual master plan for Falkirk, and there is a copy of the Master Plan in the exhibits in this report. He stated that because Mr. Judd is an architect who specializes in the restoration of old buildings, and because the building itself needed so much in the way of repairs at that time, that essentially nothing came of the Master Plan as pertained to the grounds. He did another plan in 1983 which had to do with the kitchen and the handicapped ramp, but that was the extent of it. Mr. Hibben reported they have done a 40 -page Master Plan for the grounds, and their agreement was to address everything except the mansion. They were to address any and all structure on the grounds other than the mansion. He briefly described the Mater Plan with drawings which is being submitted, and which lists the committees and chairs, and noted it also includes input form all of those sources. Mr. Don Blavnev, project landscape architect, gave an overview of how the Design Committee felt Falkirk should look. He showed each section, A through I, of the Conceptual Master Plan, and -explained each one in detail. It includes reconfiguring the Menzies parking lot, to accommodate Falkirk visitors in a special area, and also provide an area for the trash container at the rear of the lot, which would be fenced off. Mr. Blayne v added that they are proposing reversing the traffic pattern, with the entry gate on the east side, perhaps with stone columns. The exit would be through the parking lot. They are considering removing the asphalt driveway and putting in pea gravel. He also explained about extending the creek to the west, creating a rose garden where the pool was previously into an area for small events such as weddings or festivals. He described the concept of a pavilion at the end of the road where the garage burned down, which would be accessed by the road between the greenhouse and the rose garden. The pavilion would be used for banquets or other gatherings, with part reserved for art classes with room for storage of materials. The Woodlands area could be used by the Boy Scouts for a Day Camp, or other outdoor activities. The old barbecue area could be restored with a small stage and amphitheater effect. He stated the Design Committee feels that the City has a great opportunity here, to create a facility similar to Filoli or the Dunsmuire House. SRCC MINUTES (Special) 6/5/95 Page 1 SRCC MINUTES (Special) 6/5/95 Page 1 Mr. Thomas Hood, AIA, described the pavilion area in detail, and showed a colored rendering with the preliminary design. He noted it could be a source of income where groups of 200 to 300 people could be accommodated, and the patio area is designed so it could have a temporary cover. He noted the building is pressed into the hillside and spread horizontally. The area where the classes would be held would have movable walls to accommodate various size groups simultaneously. The building will have restaurant facilities including a kitchen suitable for use possibly by a concessionaire. He noted that while people could not park close to this area, it would be an easy walk back to the pavilion, and added that there is ample parking in the neighborhood. Mr. Hibben pointed out that this is conceptual, and that the building proposed may not look like this one. The area would be flexible so you could have outdoor and indoor activities at the same time. He added that the Committee has spent considerable time on ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, and have talked about the possibility of putting in an elevator. Mr. Hibben stated that the Committee agreed to recommend that a Falkirk Design Review Board be formed, to include the architect on this Committee. He explained that if someone comes in with an idea the Committee could sit down with them and discuss the idea. He stated they are aware of the lack of funding, but they hope that this Plan and the Capital Campaign will generate enthusiasm and bring in the necessary funding. Mr. Hibben added that another issue is maintenance, and stated they have spent a considerable amount of time on fire protection, which is a serious concern. The nearest fire hydrant to the Falkirk property is on the southwest corner of E Street at Mission Avenue. That is roughly 500 ft. of hose to lay to get up to the house. There is no sprinkler system in the house, and if it caught fire it would be tinderbox (quoting the Fire Department). If they had to go and hook up to the hydrant at E and Mission and lay house, it would be probably 15 minutes before they had water on the house and probably most of it would be gone, and in his judgment the house is irreplaceable. The Committee would like to encourage the installation of a new hydrant system, as quickly as possible. He stated he has been over this with the Fire Marshal and essentially it involves running an 8 -inch line from E Street up Mission and in though the parking lot and a 6 -inch line which would run approximately up to the greenhouse. There would be a hydrant up by the greenhouse which would be easy access to the mansion and also to the pavilion if it is built. There would also be a hydrant down near the Mission Avenue frontage which would deal with car fires, or whatever. Also, these lines could be tapped into for the irrigation system, or for water for the new buildings. The estimated cost of putting such a line in, onto the Falkirk property, is roughly $50,000. That estimate came from Mr. Andrew Preston, Civil Engineer with the Public Works Department. The Committee strongly encourages this as one of the most crucial things which need to be done in terms of priorities. They have also gone over the sewer situation. A new sewer line was put in this year, and runs up to the west side of the house, and that line would have to be extended from the manhole at the west side of the house if the new pavilion building is built. That would be another $15,000 or $20,000. He added that they are working on a new water system for irrigation, which will encompass both MMWD water which is down at the Mission Avenue west gate with a 11 inch meter, and also a spring line which comes down from the tanks above which runs to the side of the house and down to the east gate. Mr. Hibben noted there is a revised curve coming in the east gate, so that a fire truck of the largest dimension could make that turn in off Mission. The Fire Department said it was not necessary to get a fire truck back to the pavilion building as long as they could get an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance back there. That, of course, is contingent upon there being a hydrant near there. Mr. Hibben concluded by mentioning the deer, which are a constant problem in the gardens. He stated it would be unreasonable to try to fence the whole property, but some individual portions of the property will have to be fenced to keep the deer out, or there will not be any flowers. They think that can be accomplished by simply hiding it with trellises, or vines, or climbing roses. He stated the report contains details on the subjects he outlined. Mayor Boro stated he knows the Council will agree that this is a wonderful project, and very important. He noted that the group was thinking of going out to some of the service clubs, and the Cultural Affairs Commission is working on that. He stated he marvels at the level of volunteer effort included in this project. Councilmember Heller asked about what they could do about the parking, particularly for an event in the pavilion. Mr. Hibben responded that parking is a problem, for a major event. If there was an event with over 200 guests we would have to arrange with the City for the City Hall parking lot, or a nearby commercial lot with mini -bus service. He stated we could encourage paving more of Falkirk, but did not like that idea. Councilmember Cohen noted that the conceptual plan calls for relocating the handicapped access ramp, and it was not clear to him where the relocated handicapped access ramp would be. Mr. Hibben showed on the site plan the location of the proposed second floor a proposed elevator second floor. Mr. Blayne v noted that on the plan there is a proposed elevator to the back portion of the building, to the second floor. He explained there would be the emergency exit out the back side. Mr. Hibben noted that ADA says that you cannot get out. Mr. Blayne v pointed out the alternate handicapped exit. Councilmember Cohen was satisfied with the explanation. Councilmember Phillips noted that when he was on the Planning Commission they had to vote to demolish the Dominican motherhouse and Mr. Hibben's remarked with regard to the fire hydrants was of particular interest. He stated he would not want to loose another structure, and asked what the City can do. Mr. Hibben responded that since the cost is $50,000, perhaps the City could get a matching grant. mayor Boro stated that can come SRCC MINUTES (Special) 6/5/95 Page 2 SRCC MINUTES (Special) 6/5/95 Page 1 before the Council at budget time, at least what the cost might be, and its priority in relationship to other issues. Mr. Hibben noted the large amount of dry brush on the hill, which is a serious hazard. Councilmember Zappetini asked about the available water on the hill, and Mr. Hibben showed the location of the water tanks. Mr. Blayne y noted it is gravity feed down to the vicinity of the "Great Lawn" in front of the house. There is uncertainty regarding the rate of flow, and the water is nonpotable. The tanks hold 17,000 gallons each. Councilmember Cohen asked the architect about what he meant about the possibility of a concessionaire for the pavilion. Mr. Hood replied that the Committee viewed this as a viable option for a destination for dinners in that area. He noted the McInnis Park operation, with a private investor involved in the kitchen facility. He understands it is highly successful. He stated that to operate a facility like this on a daily basis would be costly for the City otherwise. Mayor Boro stated that the key would be that if the rest of the grounds were improved to the level we have been talking about, that in itself would make them an attraction and a natural stopping -off point for the tourists and the restaurant would be an extension of that, plus the other activities. He stated that the McInnis Park facility is something to look at, because that was all built with private funds. Mr. Hibben stated that the Committee is extremely receptive to any comments the Council might have about any aspect of this project, and if they would write a note to Mrs. Adney at Falkirk she would see that they get it. Councilmember Heller asked if they are talking to and working with the Boyd House Historical group because they are beginning to plan ahead. Ms. Mallory stated they have been in touch with them. Ms. Leslie Simon, a landscape architect on the Committee, stated they would like the Council to look hard at the options, and give them feedback. Mayor Boro thanked the group for their presentation. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk APPROVED THIS day of 1995 MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL SRCC MINUTES (Special) 6/5/95 Page 3