SR 06:079 - Laserfiche WebLink

PDA On February 8, 2006, staff undertook several information-gathering meetings regarding the design of the Firehouse with the leadership ofPDA and its Design Review Committee responding to concerns expressed by the PDA in its initial letter to the Planning Commission. Additionally, the Planning Commission directed staff to engage in additional meetings to continue discussions related to the design and architecture of the proposed addition to the historic Fire Station. There was consensus by the Commission for staff to meet with architect, Charles Huff, particularly because he is known for his expertise regarding the history of the City, is concerned with ensuring historically sensitive design for projects in the Downtown area, and is also a member of the PDA. On February 28, 2006 staff met informally to discuss the various issues with Mr. Huff. He expressed support for the project, but suggested that the design does not conform with the nature and style of the surrounding neighborhood. He pointed out that the Firehouse has been at the site for a century and has become part of the neighborhood fabric. He also expressed concern that, in his opinion, the design did not conform to the architectural guidelines laid forth in the Downtown Specific Plan. His main concern focused on the Railroad Avenue side of the building and the fact that the center volume of the building uses different exterior materials other than brick. He would prefer that the exterior of the entire new addition be a brick treatment that matches the historic Firehouse and that it replicate the silhouette; he did concede that this is a very difficult design challenge. PDA. Task Force. ELS. and City staff On March 2, 2006 a second meeting was held at the project site. Those in attendance included members of the Executive Board, its Executive Director, Design Review Committee, City staff, and representatives from ELS Architecture and Urban Design. City staff stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review the design developed by ELS and the City Council-appointed Firehouse Task Force, approved by the Civic Arts Commission, providing an opportunity to take comments from those in attendance. Several members of the PDA Executive Board, who had been appointed to the Firehouse Task Force, expressed their firm support for the existing design. Several members of the PDA Design Review Committee, while expressing support for the project, stated that in their opinion the exterior design did not conform to the architectural guidelines contained in the Downtown Specific Plan. They requested that representatives from ELS explain their basic approach to the design of the new additions to the facility. ELS consultants responded by describing the design approach in the development of the project (please see the section entitled "Design Philosophy for the Preservation of the Historic Firehouse" above for a summary of ELS' basic approach). The Chair of the Design Review Committee expressed support for the project, but felt it was regrettable that he and other members of the Committee would not have more opportunity to work with the architects to further refine the design, as well as explore how it might conform more closely to his and the SR 06:079 Page 13 of 17