HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10042005 - D4 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ti...... .,
PJM: SUPERVISOR GAYLE B. UILKEMA -'`�` Contra
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Costa
DATE: October 4,2005
County
SUBJECT: City of Martinez adopted resolution for the proposed District Attorney's office
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider short presentation from Martinez City Council sub-committee regarding District Attorney proposed
Building downtown Martinez.
BACKGROUND:
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE: GAYLE B.UILKEMA �
ACTION OF BOARD ON October 4,2005 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
A 1D0&AVXA)k& ATPrC H6 t:>
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT � ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: - AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTEDI�O�/�o S�
John Sweeten,Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
I DEPUTY
Contact Person: _
CC: County Administrator
Supervisor District 2
ADDENDUM TO ITEM D.4
October 4, 2005
On this day,the Board of Supervisors considered a short presentation from the Martinez City
Council sub-committee regarding the proposed District Attorney building in downtown Martinez.
The Honorable Bill Wainwright,Vice-Mayor of Martinez,presented Martinez City Council
Resolution 097-OS requesting that the Board of Supervisors adopt a design for new District
Attorney building in keeping with the historic character of downtown Martinez,partner with the
City on a parking garage site planning process,and execute a MOU for future County projects
built in Martinez.The Vice-Mayor noted that the Martinez Specific Plan,now nearing
completion,calls for construction to adhere to certain architectural guidelines.
The Board then viewed a presentation from architects Isidro Farias and Eileen Tumlin, showing
slides of the proposed building and also slides of downtown buildings they considered to be
upholding or detracting from the historical context that the Council advocates retaining.
Chair Gayle B.Uilkema called forth speakers for public comment on this item. The following
persons provided testimony:
Lara Delaney,Martinez City Councilmember, spoke in favor of changing the design of the
proposed building in the interest of architectural harmony and suggested the development of an
MOU so that the Martinez General Plan could be incorporated earlier in the process of such
projects.
Robert Kochly,Contra Costa.District Attorney, said he believes the architect has designed a
building that,while modern,would complement and blend in with the surrounding area.He noted
that Martinez' design and review standards have not yet been adopted.He said he is happy to
meet with and accept the list of proposed changes from the ad-hoc committee for the City of
Martinez.He noted that most of the proposals would require major or vast redesign,which may
not be afforded in either time or money.He said he would be happy to incorporate changes if they
are feasible.He added that issues about parking will be dealt with in the CEQA analysis.
A comment from Nancy Hobert,Martinez resident,was read into the record, supporting the
proposed design, saying it is unique and stunning.
Elaine Lorenzo presented the comments of Earl D.Dunivan, Sr.,wherein Mr. Dunivan suggests
the District Attorney building fit in with the historic downtown theme.
Roy Jeans,Martinez resident,referred to the proposed building as a"metal box"and suggested
that by cooperating with the Martinez City Council,the Supervisors can dispel the community
belief that the County can do whatever it wants with Martinez.
Honorable Rob Schroeder,,Mayor of Martinez, said he seeks to maintain the relationship between
Martinez and the County, and noted the Council doesn't seek a total redesign,but just asks that
the County work with the City's subcommittee.He expressed appreciation of the Board's
consideration of this item.
D.4 October 4, 2005
Page 2 of 2
Janet Kennedy,Martinez City Councilmember,expressed support of the Martinez revitalization.
Chair Uilkema said the next stop in the process will be the Capital Facilities Committee meeting,
and invited the Martinez subcommittee to be a part of the process. She suggested that after the
specifics of the design have been adopted,there should be thought given to the process itself so
that there can be even better communication for any future projects. She noted that the Board is in
sync with the recommendations outlined in the Martinez City Council Resolution.
Chair Uilkema moved approval, seconded by Supervisor Piepho, and by a 4-0 vote with
Supervisor Glover absent, the Board of Supervisors took the following action:
ACCPETED the comments provided today by members of the Martinez City Council sub-
committee on the proposed District Attorney Building in downtown Martinez.
Of KA
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city of Martinez
72.5 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94553-2394 (925)372-3505
FAX (925)229-5012
1876
September 9, 2005
C E
Ga Yle Uilkema, Supervisor � SEP 9
Contra Costa Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa County SUPERVISOR GAYLE 3.UltYEMR
651 Pine Street, 11th Floor cor�rka cosTA couNTr
Martinez, CA 94553-
Dear
Gayle:
We are very pleased that the County will be constructing the new District Attorney
building in the Downtown. This will provide an excellent- opportunity for the continuing
revitalization of Martinez.. District Attorney Kochly has been extremely cooperative with
the City in .discussing design issues related to the building.
As part of that discussion, the City Council adopted the attached resolution. In addition,
Vice Mayor Bill Wainwright and Council Member Lara. Delaney (appointed by the
Council as an ad hoc subcommittee to review the building) request the opportunity to
address the Board of Supervisors regarding the resolution. Please let me know if this
is convenient.
We thank the County for its continuing cooperation.
Sireel ,
00
Rob Schroder
Mayor
RS:elm
Attachment: City Council Resolution
cc: City Council
Contra Costa County District Attorney
Contra Costa County CAO
ROB SCHRODER, MAYOR
RESOLUTION NO. 097-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARTINEZ
REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA CO -I- Y ADOPT
A DESIGN FOR NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUILDING IN KEEPXNG WITH THE
HISTORIC CHARACTER OF DOWNTOWN MARTINEZ, PARTNER WITH TSE CITY ON
A PARKING GARAGE SITE PLANNING PROCESS, AND EX38CUTIS A MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING FOR FUTURE COUNTY PROJECTS BIIILT XN MARTINEZ
EREAS, the offices of the Contra Costa County District Attorney
have traditionally been located in the Seat of County Government
and in proximity to the Courts in Downtown Martinez; and
WHEREAS, this location has made a considerable contribution to
the efficient functioning of County Government and the Court
System; and
WHEREAS, the District Attorney is in need of new off ices to
consolidate all employees of the various functions and offices of
the District Attorney in one building in order to continue to
deliver quality services to the justice system of Contra Costa
County; and
WHEREAS, tile, construction of a new building and the presence of
the District Attorney's personnel will make a significant
contribution to the desired revitalization of the City's Downtown
and stimulate economic development ; and
WHEREAS, the City fully supports having a new building in the
chosen location and desires to cooperate with the District
Attorney and the architect and project managers who are
developing the new building; and
WHEREAS, extensive work has been undertaken by the City and the
community to develop a Specific Plan that includes design
guidelines that preserve the historic character of the Downtown
and -guide c1e�r-e l�opmer�t in the-area ; ....a-n-d-..
WHEREAS/ it is the Council Is expectation that the County will
respect the, efforts and values placed in preserving the historic
character of the Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the Council is striving to develop solutions to Downtown
parki.ng concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Council has created an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the
specl.f ic purpose of working with the Contra Costa County District
Attarney and Board of Supervisors to these ends.
NOW, THEREFORE, 8E IT RESOLVED that the City Council _ requests
that the County be responsive and sensitive to the C ity Is
concerns regarding the manner in which this proposed_ new building
Will fit into the fabric of the historic Downtown an_d work with
the Council 's Subcommittee to adopt a new design tre zatment for
the new District Attorney building that is more ink_eeping with
the historic heritage and character of Downtown Mart -inez.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council request -s the County
to partner with the City (and the Courts where neces sary) on a
site planning process for parking structures and/or parking near
County facilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council requests the County
to work with the City on the development of a Memory ridum of
Understanding for , future County' projects in Martinez , '
incorporating the City's Design Review Committee in the design
review process early on in project development.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the City Council of the Cit=y of Martinez
at a Regular Meeting of said Council held on tie 7th day of
September, 2005, by the following vote0
AYES: Counc i lmembers Delaney, Kennedy, Ross, Vice Mayor
Wainwright and Mayor Schroder
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
' RICHARD HERNANDEZ, CITY CLERK
CITY OF MARTINEZ
EARL DUNIVAN & ASSOCIATES
P.O. BOX, 747
MARTINEZ, CA 94553 E-mail: earlsr@som*c.net
October 4J. 2005
To: The Board of Supervisors:
I. As you all know, I am. very much in favor of keeping County
services in the downtown, and I favor accommodating these services
as much as possible. And, of course, iny family is the landlord for
some of these services.
II. The County's presence in the downtown has always been a gA_,VUL
benefit to Martinez business people.
III. Recently, however, we have seen that the County's presence is
not enough to keep even a drugstore or a supermarket, let alone a
department store., open downtown.
IV. Martinez needs more than the County to bring people to Martinez.
V. Much is being done by any in town to support the downtown's
revitalization.
VI. One approach 1*8 to boost Martinez as a destination.
VII. Martinez is an old and historic town, and that is one of its great
assets,, Emphasizing our town's quaint, small-town qualities is one of
the best ways to attract visitors here.
Phone: ('925) 228-4788 Fax: (925) 228--3789
VIII. Any new construction or rehabilitationof existing buildings here
should fit with the downtown's small-town, historic atmosphere. I
f rmly believe this and I believe I have shown this by the way I
renovated the old State Theater building at 800 Ferry Street and the
building at 627 Ferry Street next to the West America Bank, which
now houses some District Attorney offices!
IX. This does not mean "no modern buildings." It means "modern
buildings which mix well with the small-town, historic look of
Martinez."
X. I would like to see the County and the District Attorney work with
Martinez to achieve a dea%;"*% for the new District Attorney's building
which will add to the historic., small-town appeal of the downtown,
not undermine it or clash with it.
I believe the present design is too much of a departure from what we
are trying to achieve with the revitalization of our downtown.
I say this in no way wanting to discourage the District Attorney or the
County from going ahead with this project - or to delay it
unnecessarily.
Let's just work together for the benefit of both the County and
Martinez.
Sinc ely,,
Earl D. Dunivan, Sr.
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Subject:
New DA Building Martinez
Date:
Mon.03 Oct 2005 04:28:U3+0000
From,
"Kristin Henderson" <velvet lava@hotmaii.com>
To:
gayle@bos.cccounty.us,distl@bos.co.contra costa.ca..us,dist3@bos.cccounty.us
CC:
dist4@bos.cccounty.us, distS@bvs.cccounty.us
My name is Kristin Henderson and I am a citizen of Martinez and our great
County. I could not get out of my obligations as a librarian to attend the
October 04.,2005 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors redesign meeting
regarding the proposed District Attorney's building in Martinez,but I
submit this letter instead. It is worth reading.
Human beings from birth are built to recognize patterns and to be stimulated
by the interest found in those patterns. Moreover, natural,warm,and ornate
materials not only stimulate us,they also elevate mood. We are also created
to identify with one another, *including each other's art and craftsmanship.
Social binding is key to individual welfare and a functional society. The
care that was put into forming this art-deco,flesh-colored marble building
with its intricate,playful aluminum awning sends a positive message to all
of us that it matters what we do,what we create,how we treat our public
property,and that our governing bodies care about us. The new design as it
stands with cold cement,razor edges,dull patterns,and brutal glass will
only make us care less about each other,our environment, and our society.
Concrete jungles create stone hearts and indifferent minds. What we look at
matters. If this were not so,television,advertising,photography,
painting,and even pornography would have no effect onus. The new District
Attorney building will generate its own business by creating an impersonal,
non-human environment. it will be as if the judicial.process does not
matter; throw them from one cement block to another. Is there anything about
downtown Walnut Creek that makes you want to walk around in it just for
inspiration?What will such an environment do to the productivity of County
workers?
Most Of all,you are destroying the character of Martinez. I honestly
believe that if Martinez is governed in a way that it can adapt to progress
such that its overwhelmingly tender,historic,and textured beauty remain
intact,that it will become one of the most desirable places to live in
Contra Costa—and therefore a tremendous property tax base. Why cannot this
new design.leave the marble fa.rade of the current structure and build in,
around,and upwards from it just as occurs in San Francisco?Walk up
Montgomery, Sansome,and California Streets—a global financial
district—where retaining architectural integrity of buildings created in a
more aware era is accomplished over and over on a massive and upwardly
rising scale. Modem and intelligent DOES NOT mean looking like a dull gray
plastic computer hard drive casing with a few cheap cast-metal details. This
effacing building proposed for this site will correspond to the rest of
extremely valuable downtown Martinez Like a religious enemy,creating
psychological strife for residents,workers,and any visitor to Martinez.
You will devalue the most unique city in your county,which despite being
the county seat still belongs to itself and the people of Contra Costa.
County. Do not thieve the meaning of Martinez from the citizens of Contra
Costa nor the county tam base by installing this design. We know persons of
your stature and power have the capacity to think imaginatively,
intelligently, and outside the cement box. We look forward to another
design.
Sincerely,
Kristin Henderson
113 5 Estudillo#4
Martinez., CA 94553
92S•335-9563
khenderson@sfpl.org
-----Original Message-----
From: "Don Lively" <donlive@pacbell.net>
Sent: Sunday,October 02,2005 7:02 PM
Subject: DA Building
>Gayle,hope youll send the DA's building plan back to a"drawing
>board"...looks like something that would fit lower Manahattan,but not
>in Mtz.
>Regards,
>Don
Subject:
Re: New DA Building
Date:
Sat, 1 Oct 2005 21:19:02 EDT
From:
BJKapsalis@aol.com
To:
brocoli@pacbell.net
Bill, sorry I can't make the meeting on the 4th. Leon has an eye appointment in Antioch at that time.
Good.luck to all of you. I would like the design changed too. Martinez is not ready for this style of
building.
Barbara
Subject:
Re: New DA Building
Date;
Sun,,2 Oct 2005 09:58:49-0700
From:
"Nora Ostrofe" <nora ost@pacbell.net>
To:
<brocoli@pacbell,net>
CC:
<laradelaney@hotmail.com>
10/2/05
Bill,Lara:
Can you please add my name to any lists you have compiled of people who support a re-design of
the DA Office Building? (I don't have all the facts but trust your respective judgments sufficiently
such that if both of you oppose the design,that is good enough for me).
Nora Ostrofe
1530 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA 94553
I have just returned from being out of the country and would have liked to have assisted w/your
efforts,but will have no time before Tuesday.
Best,
Nora Ostrofe
Gary L.Wheeler,Architect
1191 Panoramic Drive•Martinez,CA 94553
925.692.5888(office)•925.917.0091 (cell)•925.692.5813(fax)
glwheelsCaoLcom
October 12005
Supervisor Gayle Uilkema,, District 2
651 Pine Street, Room 108a
Martinez,CA 94553
Re: Proposed District Attorney Office Building
in Historic Downtown Martinez
Dear Supervisor Uilkema.,
am writing to you today because I am unavailable to attend and speak at the Tuesday,,
October 4,, 2005 Board of Supervisors meeting regarding the proposed DA building and the
possibility of its redesign. 1 am o licensed architect and have had my own practice in Contra
Costa County for more than twenty years. I have also been a resident of Martinez for more than
eighteen years, and have served the City of Martinez as a Design Review Board (DRB) member
and Planning Commission (PC) member for more than seventeen of those years,, I believe that
am qualified to discuss the proposed design in a unique way and offer these thoughts about the
proposed design.,
Martinez is a town which is rich in history and struggling with how to maintain its historic
character. The city's residents are passionate about their town,, as evidenced by the recent
battle over Redevelopment. Two votes have placed the city voters consistently around an even
split on the subject. One side feels that the town is o treasure that redevelopment could
somehow destroy,, while the other side feels that the town is a treasure that redevelopment
would enhance. My discussions with people on both sides of this volatile issue has drawn this
one conclusion, people are most concerned that the histaic character of the downtown could
be lost forever.
Contra Costa County and the City of Martinez share a symbiotic relationship that has existed for
many years,, As the seat of county government,, Contra Costa County should share in the
concerns of the citizenry of MartineL The county has many buildlings, old and new that reflect
the long historic nature of the downtown. Certainly the Contra Costa County Finance Building
(see photo 1) and the Contra Costa County Court House (see photo 2) stand as symbols of the
rich heritage of County government., The A.F. Bray Building (see photo 3),, a much newer
addition to the court house buldings is an example of the County's sensitivity to the historic
neighborhood in which it exists. Its column and pediment entry, together with the rustication on
the front facade of the building reflect the character of the other two previous buildings,, while
still displaying a contemporary interpretation of the classic style.
Recently,, Mr. James Busby had sought and received the approval to construct a new three-
story office building at the comer of Alhambra Avenue and Escobar Street from the City of
Martinez,, He instructed his architect to provide a building that reflected a more historic style of
architecture. Through the direction of the DRB the building was rotated ninety degrees to place
the main entrance of the building onto Escobar Street instead of Alhambra Avenue in order to
make a better connection to the downtown. It is my understanding that the County has
entered into a leasing agreement with Mr. Busby,, and may ultimately purchase the building,,
believe that this building represents a design that is very sensitive to its surroundings.
As an architect and past member of the DRB and PC.. I know that the one guiding principle of
good design is to consider the adjacent properties and character of the surrounding properties.
That does not mean that all new buildings must look alike,only that they reflect the character of
their neighborhood. I have witnessed many attempts at design in the downtown area and can
say with overwhelming confidence that this has been a consistent direction that has been
requested of applicants by the DRB and PC,, Unfortunately,, government buildings are not put
through the same design review process that private development must endure. Had they
been subject to the same design review we would not be here today discussing the redesign of
the DA building. The architect would have been directed early on in the process that the
proposed design was much too contemporary and void of any historic character. It looms over
its next door neighbor and is completely out of character with its surrounding neighbors. The
proposed building provides little or no relief along the street front and uses materials inconsistent
with other buildings in the downtown area.
It should be noted that there are many varying palettes of architecture within the immediate
area of the proposed DA building which could be used as the muse for the design of the DA's
new home. First the existing Contra Costa County Assessor's Office (see photo 4) on the project
site is classic Art Deco with smooth cut stone facade and decorative panels and stylized frieze
motif at the Court Street fa4;ade, The Contra Costa County finance Building (see photo 1) with
its Ionic entry columns, frieze and cornice detail and classic pediment structure is a good
example of Greek revival. The Contra Costa County Court House (see photo 2) with its light
stone walls, mansard roof and accentuated cornice is reminiscent of the classic Beaux Arts style.
The United States Post Office Building (see photo 5) on Court Street could be described as a
simplified Beaux Arts building as well with its decorative garland detail.. cornice and relief panels
at the windows. The Martinez Library Building (see photo 6) can also be defined in the Art Deco
style. Its vertical relief panels and decorative border with the classic instep at the windows
reflect the Art Deco motif. Even the local McDonald's Building is Art Deco in style. Two buildings
on either side of the new DA Building are historic in nature as well. Across Green Street from the
new DA Building is an example of Spanish Eclectic (see photo 7).,
finally,we have the Veteran's War Memorial Building (see photo 8)., This building might best be
described as a cross between Early Classical Revival and the Georgian style. Its use of brick with
lentil molding and columned entry give it it's an historic character different than those around it.
The proposed DA Building misses out on the opportunity to compliment this building. Instead it
completely dwarfs this building and makes no historic connection to it whatsoever.
have only touched on a few of the surrounding buildings of the proposed DA Building,, but
hope that you will consider the comments that have been made and consider the rich history
that our downtown has,, I urge you to consider a redesign of the exterior of the DA Building and
direct the architect to work to develop a style of architecture for the building that reflects the
historic nature of our downtown. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Gary L.Whe r, Architect
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