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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-2004 Approved HCAC Minutes ■ CITY OF HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES OF:SEPTEMBER 9, 2004 Chairperson Vonheeder-Leopold called the September 9, 2004 meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Dublin Heritage Center,Dublin, California. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Vonheeder-Leopold led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Acuff,Fasulkey,Lussie,White,Mack,Muetterties and Vonheeder-Leopold Commissioners Absent: None Oral Communications-None Approval of Minutes ON A MOTION BY CM.MUETTERTIES AND SECONDED BY CM. MACK AND BY UNIANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MINUTES OF JULY 8,2004 AS PRESENTED. Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business 81. Donlon Way Historic Area Design Guidelines Parks & Community Services Director Diane Lowart introduced Kristi Bascom,Associate Planner, City of Dublin, who advised that for several years,the City.Council has been considering how to take a more proactive approach to building the Donlon Way area into a cohesive district to better highlight Dublin's historic resources. In August 2001, the City Council authorized Staff to prepare a Specific Plan for the Donlon Way Area, although work on the plan did not proceed immediately due to work on other priorities. In August 2004, the City Council approved a contract with RBF Consultants to prepare Design Guidelines for the Donlon Way Area, one of the steps identified to complete development of a Specific Plan. The Design Guidelines will be used to guide the design and architecture of future development (and re-development) in the area so that it is compatible with the City's historic resources. Since the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission plays a pivotal role in discussions regarding Dublin's historical resources, it is important that there be an opportunity for the consultants developing the Design Guidelines to talk to the group and receive their input. The consultants will be presenting the Commission with an opportunity and constraints analysis of what is possible in the area as well as a visual preference survey to determine what site and architectural features are preferred by the Commission. Bascom introduced Bill Wiseman, Project Manager, RBF Consultants to the Commission. Wiseman advised the Commission that he would be presenting a video presentation of the Donlon Way Historic Area Design Guidelines. Wiseman advised that he would be presenting an overview and timeline for this project. Wiseman's video presentation included the following components. • Workshop Agenda • Workshop Goals • Project Overview , , Minutes—September 9,2004 Page 2 of 5 • Project Schedule • Opportunities and Constraints Analysis • Study Area Characteristics • Historic Context • Existing Historic Resources • Issues and Challenges • Confirmation of Objectives Wiseman discussed each component of the video presentation in detail with the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. Wiseman introduced Jason Jones, Urban Designer, RBF Consultants. Jones would be administering a TownScan visual preference test to the Commission. Jones explained that the Commission would be shown a series of images from seven design-related topics. The Commission was asked to rate each image on a scale from 1-5. Jones explained that rating an image a "1" means you like it and rating the image a "5" means you dislike or hate the image. Jones advised that the categories that they would be shown images of were of architectural character, building materials, building colors, commercial signage, gateway signage, way finding and public space and amenities. Jones presented 100 images, in six-second increments, for the Commission to rate and notate on their TownScan form. Wiseman asked the Commission for their feedback and comments on each component of the Visual Preference Survey. Steve and Sue Hagan, Dublin Residents, 6572 Donlon Way, Dublin, stated that they would prefer to see natural material like wood with natural colors like greens,browns and tans be used for this project. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated the most important decision for the Commission is to decide which era to recreate. She further stated that most of the houses built during the 1850's were built primarily of sideboard. Cm. Acuff stated that wood was the most reasonable building material to use at that time because it handled well during earthquakes and was plentiful in the area. The wood detailing that was done during the Victorian era was tremendous. Cm. Mack stated that it would be great if the consultant could provide a software program that the Commission could use to try different colors and materials to buildings to better visualize what they are planning. Wiseman advised that this type of a program is available. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she wants to create a downtown area that is viable for people to shop in and does not like the idea of five people deciding what exact color blue is appropriate. Then, every four years, the majority changes and the new majority wants things changed and, we end up with a mix of buildings that don't match. She feels we should give some flexibility to the actual contractors completing the work. Cm. Fasulkey stated that she wants the colors to stay within the era they are representing and set up an appropriate parameter for the builder to follow. For instance, if we decided that the building would be blue,we would obtain a pallet with the appropriate blue colors that existing during that time period. Cm. Acuff felt that she did not want to "ban"a specific color because it could be used along with natural tones and goes well-together. ,Minutes—September 9,2004 Page 3 of 5 Cm. Fasulkey stated that she would like-to see the larger buildings with softer tones and the smaller buildings with brighter colors. Cm. Muetterties stated that she would like to see Dublin Square taken out and Donlon Way opened up so you can see the Heritage Center and its amenities. Wiseman asked the Commission to envision what the street landscape might look like on Dublin Square. Cm. Acuff stated she did not want to emphasize parking and would like to see this area dedicated to pedestrians with possible trolley service to and from public transportation. Cm..Fasulkey felt that we had to offer some type of parking and suggested putting the parking in the back. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that the Dublin Boulevard intersection is way too busy to try and include trolley use. Wiseman asked the Commission how they feel about offering mixed use with commercial/residential and/or office space use. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she could see residential and office space use but would not like to see the area used for big retail stores or restaurants. Cm. Fasulkey stated she would like to see benches, pedestrian walk ways, picnic areas, small retail stores and maybe a space to hold Arts and Crafts shows. Cm.Acuff stated she likes the idea of installing the built in chess and checkerboard in the park area. Wiseman suggested opening up Donlon Way, next to the Green Building. He feels this is the most quiet, pedestrian friendly place of the whole area and it also brings you into the entire historic area. The Commission suggested wide sidewalks with benches and trees and flowers and simple lampposts that reflect Dublin's heritage. The Commission would like to see wood looking material used that is not wood and holds up well through time. The Commission also liked the wrought iron benches. Wiseman asked the Commission to think about signage. Cm. Acuff suggested an arch going across west Dublin Boulevard to note this area as the entrance to Dublin. Wiseman stated that this area has a very wide span, which would be very costly but could be done. Wiseman suggested placing the archway across Donlon Way. The Commission felt this was also a good choice. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold stated that the area east of San Ramon Road should not be included in the project because there is nothing historic on that side of the street. Wiseman pointed out the area that the Commission would like to remove as part of the historic project, on the map and confirmed that the historic area should not include anything east of the west side of San Ramon Road. Wiseman asked the Commission how they envision linking areas together with way finding signs. Cm.Acuff liked the kiosk stations. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold likened her vision to the gas light section of San Diego. Cm.White would like to see the corner of Donlon Way be made the focus of the area. • ,Minutes—September 9, 2004 Page4of5 Cm.Acuff suggested creating street scapes or public art in the area. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold asked if the rezoning of the area would happen now or later on in the process. Bascom advised that if rezoning is needed, it would happen later on in the process. Jones asked the Commission how they felt about the use of adobe. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold felt that historically, adobe was used much earlier than the existing historic buildings in Dublin. • Cm.Acuff reiterated that adobe did not hold up during earthquakes and was not used in the 1800's in Dublin. Cm. Acuff suggested using The Spring's blank wall for a mural of a stagecoach or a mural on transportation since this location was a travel station. The Commission felt this was a wonderful idea and could even be tied into the two murals we have along the underpasses on Dublin and Amador Valley Boulevard. Jones stated that the Petco. wall would also be a great location for a mural. Roger Stern, See's Candy,Dublin, CA. stated that See's Candy is trying to develop their parcel of land to include a candy store. The Heritage Tree is located on their lot and they are planning on putting in benches in the plaza to give the public access to this historic location. Stern also stated that the See's building would look like the cottage on the box of See's candy and would not be a commercial retail building. Charlie Filbers, Hooter's Restaurant Property Owner, Dublin, CA. stated that he was encouraged to hear that the Commission does not consider his restaurant to be located on a historical site. Filbers would like to make a formal recommendation for the Commission to make a motion tonight to remove this area from the historical planning process. Filbers stated that he felt the City was trying to create a new town,which he feels is not necessary and too expensive for Dublin to undertake. • Bascom thanked the Commission for their input and said that the draft guidelines would be presented to the Commission in November. Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioners and/or Staff Cm. Muetterties gave the Commission an update on Camp Parks Strategic Planning Committee meeting she attended. Cm.Mack stated that the Fallon Park Task Force is moving along nicely. Chair Vonheeder-Leopold asked Lowart to take Theresa Yvonne off of the City of Dublin website. Lowart advised that the final filing date for the Heritage Director position closes on September 10"'. Lowart reminded the Commission about the Day on the Glen festival to be held at Emerald Glen Park on September 25th and 26th. Lowart stated that the artwork for Phase II is complete. Cm.Fasulkey stated she would be going to Ireland shortly. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ,Minutes-September 9,2004 Page 5 of 5 Respectfully submitted, 51(670/ta— Vj6g--) Christie Marks Senior Office Assistant APPROVED: 411 da '- ,Chairperson/ / % t ju t �