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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB 2011-06-07 #2 CITY OF Community Development Department – Planning Division Meeting Date: June 7, 2011 Case Numbers: ED11-007; UP11-024 Project Planner: Sarjit Dhaliwal – (415) 485-3397 REPORT TO DESIGN REVIEW BOARD SUBJECT: 350 Los Ranchitos Road (Guide Dogs for the Blind) – Request for an Environmental and Design Review Permit and Use Permit to demolish an existing 22,560-sq. ft. residential hall and rebuild it as a 26,626-sq. ft. structure (this application if approved would amend a previously approved Environmental and Design Review Permit (ED10-001) and Use Permit (UP10-002) for this facility); APN: 175-250-03; Public/Quasi-Public (P/QP) District; Phred Starkweather, applicant; Guide Dogs for the Blind, owner; Rafael Meadows (Los Ranchitos) Neighborhood. BACKGROUND On May 17, 2001, the Design Review Board reviewed this project in detail. At the end of the meeting the Board unanimously voted to continue the project with the following recommended changes: 1. The plaster color is too bright and needs to be toned down with a darker color. 2. Assure that parking lot lighting along the south edge of the site is sensitive to neighbors with cutoff shields and landscaping (used to screen light sources and prevent spillover). 3. The main building entry needs to be more pronounced. Recommendations were to modify the roof and/or materials to enhance the entry. 4. Consider reintroducing more of the wood siding to break up the amount of plaster wall area and bring back the warmth of that material. The entry might be a good location to use more of this material to enhance/distinguish the entryway. 5. Landscape diversity is good, however, Redwood trees do not thrive with reclaimed water so an alternate water system such as a source of potable water will be needed for Redwood trees. SUMMARY In response to the Board comments, the applicant has resubmitted the project materials (narrative addressing the Board comments, addendum plans and material color board). Briefly, the project has been redesigned as follows: 1. The plaster color has been darkened to a medium warm grey to complement the slump stone used on some of the existing buildings. 2. Parking lot lighting fixtures have been lowered from 14-ft. to 12-ft. high to match the existing lighting-pole height. 3. The main building entrance has been redesigned with deeper eaves, additional cedar siding flanking, broad stairs leading to the terrace, etc. 4. Additional re-sawn cedar siding has been incorporated into the north façade. 5. According to the landscape architect, the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) has confirmed that the recycled water produced by the MMWD, with some precautions, is completely safe to use on all species of plants. Addendum plans are attached to the original project plans reviewed by the Board on May 17, 2011. CONCLUSION Overall, staff recommends that the project redesign is consistent with the Board’s comments. The Board’s recommendations and comments are requested on the proposed redesign. 2 EXHIBITS 1. Applicant’s Letter Dated June 1, 2011 2. CMG Landscape Architecture Letter Dated May 31, 2011 Full-sized and 11”x17” addendum and original plans have been provided to the DRB members only. cc: Phred Starkweather. 110 Linden Street, Suite 110 Oakland, CA 94607 Mike Fryer Guide Dogs for the Blind 350 Los Ranchitos Road San Rafael, CA 94903 Rusty Rubinsky Marin Gardens HOA 200 Los Ranchitos Road San Rafael, CA 94903 Jay Morse Rafael Meadows Improvement Association 33 Corrillo Drive San Rafael, CA 94903