HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB 2019-10-22 Minutes
In the Council Chambers of the City of San Rafael, October 22, 2019
Regular Meeting
San Rafael Design Review Board Minutes
For a complete video of this meeting, go to http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/meetings.
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Jeff Kent
Stewart Summers
Don Blayney, Alternate
Larry Paul
Sarah Rege
Samudzu Singai, PC Liaison
Absent: Samina Saude
Also Present: Steve Stafford, Senior Planner
Raffi Boloyan, Planning Manager
STAFF COMMUNICATION
BOARD COMMUNICATION
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes 10/8/19
Jeff Kent moved and Larry Paul seconded to approve Motion to approve minutes as presented. The vote
is as follows:
AYES: Jeff Kent, Stewart Summers, Larry Paul
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Don Blayney, Alternate, Sarah Rege
ABSENT: Samina Saude
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
2. 9000 Northgate Dr (Costco at Northgate Mall) – Pre-Application/Conceptual Design Review
of a proposal to demolish the existing multi-story Sears building at the southern portion
of Northgate Mall and build a new 146,985 sq. ft. Costco Warehouse Center, including a
141,773 sq ft warehouse, 5,185 sq. ft. attached tire center, along with a detached fueling
station. The proposal also calls for 2-3 levels of rooftop parking on top of the proposed
Costco warehouse; APN: 175-060-40; General Commercial (GC) Zoning District; Merlone
Geier, owner; Michael Okuma, Costco, applicant; File No(s).: PA19-008/CDR19-004.;
Downtown Neighborhood. Project Planner: Raffi Boloyan
Staff Report
There was no vote as this is a Conceptual Item. The Board's general comments were:
• Reduce the scale of the project (i.e., height, lot coverage, etc.) so that it is closer in size to the
existing Sears buildings and takes into consideration the lower scale of both the adjacent
residential neighborhood and the existing Mall. Making the height Exception findings will be
difficult.
• Improve the pedestrian circulation around the project and connecting to the Mall by relocating or
eliminating the fuel station element, and converting the proposed new driveway between the
project and Mall to pedestrian only
• Improve the visual connection to the mail by incorporating some of the existing material palette
i.e., (more stone, less concrete).
• Eliminate tall wall sections by Increasing articulation along all or portions of all elevations,
particularly along the south and north elevations.
ADJOURNMENT
___________________________________
ANNE DERRICK, Administrative Assistant III
APPROVED THIS _____DAY OF_______, 2019
_____________________________________
Stewart Summers, Chair