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February 24, 2007
Inside Job
 |
| I received an email from someone concerned about some
statements made by members of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) at their
2-21-07 meeting. The ARB is made up of 5 people appointed by the City Council,
3 of which must have experience in the visual arts (architect, landscape
architect, designer, artist). They review site plans and architectural
designs for new buildings
or
remodels(private residences are exempt from this
permit process). During a discussion of a property at 240 Main Street (used to be Attic Treasures) the ARB suggested that they should also review changes to the interior of the building. The ARB's purpose and procedures are guided by section 19.18 of the Chico Municipal Code. City Staff at the meeting apparently pointed out that the ARB is not supposed to review interiors, and a member of the ARB disagreed. Section 19.18.040.B of the Chico municipal code exempts building interiors from architectural review by the City. It would be interesting if the ARB started reviewing interior remodels. They could come down to my office and help out next time we start moving desks around. I can just imagine the public debate over whether my accent wall should be Royal Fuchsia or Fandango. Or the ARB could hold a series of Trading Spaces remodels in conjunction with the Planning Commission. Prior to the last election I was told by someone associated with the City staff that the ARB was focusing on things like the size and type of screws used in buildings. There was hope that some new members might practice a little less micro-management and a little more "architectural reviewing". That may not be the direction things have gone. |
Posted by Lon at February 24, 2007 12:00 AM
Comments
I met the new building owners awile back. I liked them a lot. They gave us temporary permission to paint the Storm Drian Mural on their wall. I was impressed that they were so enthusiastic about restoring and preserving its original, historical beauty since it's right across the street from my studio, right in the middle of downtown.
I'm sure everyone loves the double flight of stairs inside and has opinions about the interior, but I'd trust these folks to make it nicer than ever.
When people are this bright and motivated to do something great for our downtown, with their own money, I think they should get all the free reign and encouragement possible by the powers that be.
I'd hate to see another Chico tragedy like the disappearance of the historical pool table in the middle of Solutions Cubed, right downtown. This is where the ARB really needs to step in.
Posted by: Gregg Payne at February 24, 2007 08:36 AM
Gregg,
Was that during your "Frogs on Crack" phase?
The quality of life meter definitely dipped when the pool table left our office. But let it be known that it was donated to the Chico Boys and Girls Club, and is receiving more use than ever.
Helping our young people to learn the skills necessary to achieve pool-sharkdom has always been a core desire of our business.
I heard 240 Main Street was going to be a second KMART location. They are even bringing Marth Stewart out seclusion to promote it.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at February 24, 2007 10:21 AM
Everyone's always picking on those poor little gutter dwelling recovering substance abusers. It wasn't their fault. They didn't have the option to "just say no!"
Now that we don't dump as much of our scary chemicals and antifreeze down the stormdrains, they're doing a lot better.
Posted by: Gregg Payne at February 24, 2007 01:19 PM
For my other reader...
Gregg received a not so nice review in the Beats's 10-Spot that mentioned his clean creek murals and wondered if Gregg was over his "Frogs on Crack" phase.
It was a cheap shot. But as they say in the art world "those that can't do, review".
Lon
Posted by: Lon at February 26, 2007 08:33 AM