HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB 2017-02-22 Minutes
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, February 22, 2017
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: Eric Spielman
Jeff Kent
Bob Huntsberry
Don Blayney, Alternate
Absent: Cheryl Lentini
Stewart Summers
Also Present: Steve Stafford, Senior Planner
Paul Jensen, Community Development Director
Alan Montes, Assistant Planner
STAFF COMMUNICATION
BOARD COMMUNICATION
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. November 9, 2016
Because there was no quorum to vote, on this item, there was no action and it will be continued to the
next meeting.
2. February 7, 2017
Don Blayney, Alternate moved and Eric Spielman seconded to approve Minutes with correction to Item 3
as noted by staff "Landscape plan shall include vine plantings at the base of the lower driveway retaining
wall, such as Boston Ivy (5-gallon container size, planted 10" on center). The vote is as follows:
AYES: Eric Spielman, Bob Huntsberry, Don Blayney, Alternate
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Jeff Kent
ABSENT: Cheryl Lentini, Stewart Summers
CONSENT
OLD BUSINESS
3. 210 3rd Street (San Rafael Fire Station 52) – Request to review final exterior building
elevation details and colors, and final landscape and irrigation plans for a new fire station,
training tower and training classroom facility. This project was approved by the Planning
Commission in 2016. Conditions of City permit approvals require that the final details and
plans be reviewed and approved by the Design Review Board; APN: 014-101-11;
Public/Quasi-Public (P/QP) District; City of San Rafael, owner/applicant; File No: ED15-
081. Project Planner: Paul Jensen
Staff Report
Jeff Kent moved and Don Blayney, Alternate seconded to support the proposed return item details, as
designed, subject to the following recommendations:
1) The Landscape Plan shall eliminate the proposed oak trees for a more medium-growth pattern species
of tree more suitable for the site(Board Member Kent offered to meet and work with the Landscape
architect for the project to finding a better tree species);
2) Top portion of exposed exterior wall along the east elevation shall be finished, preferably stucco to
match the building or at a minimum painted to match; and
3) The appropriate signage for the site shall be determined by the SRFD Chief though simpler, less wordy
sign design is preferred.
The vote is as follows:
AYES: Eric Spielman, Jeff Kent, Bob Huntsberry, Don Blayney, Alternate
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Cheryl Lentini, Stewart Summers
4. 3530 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE (San Rafael Fire Station 57) – Request to review final exterior
building elevation details and colors, and final landscape and irrigation plans for a new
fire station. The new fire station project was approved by the Planning Commission in
2016. Conditions of City permit approvals require that the final details and plans be
reviewed and approved by the Design Review Board; APN: 179-270-12; Public/Quasi-
Public (P/QP) District; County of Marin, owner, City of San Rafael, applicant; File No:
ED15-082. Project Planner, Paul Jensen
Staff Report
Jeff Kent moved and Don Blayney, Alternate seconded to support the proposed return item details, as
designed. The vote is as follows:
AYES: Eric Spielman, Jeff Kent, Bob Huntsberry, Don Blayney, Alternate
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Cheryl Lentini, Stewart Summers
NEW BUSINESS
5. 3773 Redwood Highway (Oakmont Senior Living) – Conceptual Design Review for
redevelopment of a 1.29 acre site with a three story senior assisted living facility
containing eighty-seven (87) units and 53 parking spaces; APN: 179-064-01; GC Zone;
William Mabry, Applicant; Eric Ziedrich, Owner; Civic Center Neighborhood. Project
Planner: Alan Montes
Staff Report
There was no vote as this was a Conceptual Review item. Follow-up conceptual review generally
responded will to the Board's previous comments. The Board (and the PC Liaison) did indicate concern
for the proposed use, the sensitive receptors (residents) and their close proximity to environmental impact
resulting from U.S. Highway 101. Design comments were generally:
1) The stone wainscoting should be increased, both higher and along all exterior elevations;
2) The proposed plant species should be more appropriate for a "shade garden" which the courtyard will
be due to the limited sunshine;
3) The proposed plant species should be more appropriate for the site;
4) Elevator tower projection should be clad in stone and expanded to meet grade;
5) The operational function of all the parking spaces should be re-evaluated, particularly #32.
6. 1833 and 1835 Fourth Street (Shell Fueling Station)– Conceptual Design Review for a new
gas station and convenience store on two adjacent Downtown parcels: 011-231-24 and
011-231-25; West End Village (WEV) Zone; Muthana Ibrahim, Applicant; Nick Goyal,
Owner; Case Number: CDR17-003. Project Planner: Alan Montes
Staff Report
There was no vote on this item as it was Conceptual Review. Design comments were generally:
1) This is not a high-quality design as required by the Planning Commission during their recent policy
review on whether to allow continuation and expansion of a legal non-conforming use (service
station). Site is located within an existing residential neighborhood and is a Gateway site to the
Downtown. Consider relocating building entrance and tower element closer to 4th street frontage;
2) Exterior Colors do not work, too dark;
3) Trash enclosure should be off the 4th Street frontage, setback along the east property line and
integrated into the building;
4) Site landscaping should be increased both in size of planters and overall landscape character. The
Board indicated their continued willingness to support a Parking Modification to allow a reduction in the
required parking for service stations and count vehicle spaces at the fuel pumps;
5) Consider stone wainscoting around entire building;
6) Enlarge awning projection over entrance.
ADJOURNMENT
___________________________________
ANNE DERRICK, Administrative Assistant III
APPROVED THIS_____DAY____OF_______, 2017
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Eric Spielman, Chair