San Luis Obispo Store Chronology

In late 2005 Apple began moving forward with plans for a store in downtown San Luis Obispo (Calif.). By May 2006 the company had engaged a local architect to present their plans for a retail store to the city's various commissions for approval and the necessary permits.

However, Apple's identity was masked in all the officials filings until much later in the process. Initially the paperwork mentioned only the building landlord (Copelands) and the architectural firm (Holst Architecture).

Here is a chronology of the official hearings that were held. Material within brackets [] are my notes.

Cultural Heritage Committee

May 22, 2006

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mark Rawson, architect for the Copeland’s Downtown Center, requested that the Committee schedule a special meeting to consider a remodel to the storefront at 899 Higuera Street. He explained that a new tenant plans to occupy the space and proposes a storefront remodel to better reflect the tenant’s business needs and image. He is working with the tenant’s architect to meet the City’s Community Design Guidelines, but wasn’t sure that would be possible in time to handle the review at a staff level without the need for a public hearing. The building is not historic but its location in the Downtown Historic District calls for architectural review. He added that there was some urgency associated with the tenant’s request to get into the building and felt expedited CHC review would be extremely helpful in this instance. On a motion by Committee member Wheeler, seconded by Committee member Breska, the Committee directed staff to schedule a special CHC meeting on Monday, June 5, 2006 to consider the proposed storefront remodel.

[Note that Apple's name is not mentioned by Rawson, who was attempting to obtain approval of the store to allow the store to open before the 2006 holiday buying season by an quicker review by the Committee.]

Cultural Heritage Committee

July 24, 2006

3. 899 Higuera Street. ARC MI 79-06; Review for a façade remodel and tenant improvements to a downtown building; C-D-H zone; Copeland’s Properties, applicant.

Jaime Hill presented the staff report and provided background on the proposed remodel. Architect Mark Rawson and Apple representative Benjamin Fay described the project and thanked staff for a thorough and well-written staff report. Under public comment, Brian Lawler, Gary Williams and Jim Dummit spoke on the project, voicing concerns with various aspects of the project’s architectural design, exterior architectural materials and compatibility with the Downtown Historic District. Committee members had mixed feelings about the project, with members about evenly split on whether the project was consistent with the Historic Preservation Program and Community Design Guidelines, with or without design changes. After extended discussion, and on a motion by Committee member Breska, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee voted 4-2 (Carpenter, Crotser) to determine that the proposed project is consistent with the Community Design Guidelines and with the Downtown Preservation Program Guidelines provided that changes are implemented to insure the project will not adversely affect the historic, architectural, or aesthetic significance of the Downtown Historic District, and to refer the matter to the Architectural Review Commission with a recommendation to approve the project subject to the following conditions:

1. The “Rose Tan” brickwork, modified fascia detailing and upper window design shall be continued along the Morro Street Elevation of the tenant space to the third pilaster, where the pattern of upper level windows currently ends.

2. All windows on both the Higuera and Morro Street elevations shall permit at least 88 percent light transmission and allow uninterrupted viewing from the street into the tenant space. They shall not be additionally darkened, shaded, or otherwise covered with signage which would obscure views into the store.

3. Samples of all window glass shall be submitted to the Community Development Department and prior to installation, shall require approval by the Director as being consistent with the intent of Architectural Review Commission approval.

4. A separate building permit is required for all signage, including wall, window, awning, hanging or projecting.

5. Applicant shall construct the project so as to substantially conform to plans and material samples approved by the Architectural Review Commission. Any change to approved design, colors, materials, or signage must be approved by the Director or Architectural Review Commission, as deemed appropriate by the Commission.

6. The design shall retain the existing bulkhead on the Higuera Street façade.

7. In addition to condition # B above, the design shall use clear glass on all or most of the Morro Street windows.

8. The applicant shall eliminate or significantly reduce the amount of “beaded stainless steel” siding used on the storefront.

Architectural Review Commission

August 7, 2006

4. 899 Higuera Street. ARC 79-06; Review of a facade remodel to a downtown building; C-D-H zone; Copelands Properties, applicant. (Jaime Hill) staff report.

Architectural Review Commission

August 21, 2006

3. 899 Higuera Street. ARC 79-06; Review of a façade remodel to a downtown building; C-D-H zone; Copelands Properties, applicant. (Continued to a date uncertain) (Jaime Hill)

Architectural Review Commission

November 20, 2006

3. 899 Higuera Street. ARC 79-06; Review of a facade remodel to a downtown building (formerly Structures) including new storefronts and removal of Morro Street windows; C-D-H zone; Copeland Properties, applicant. (Jaime Hill)

[These three last entries were from the meeting agendas of the ARC. In the first two cases, Apple requested a delay in presenting any modified designs to the Committee. In the last case, Apple asked for an indefinite delay in the Committee's consideration of the design application.