by Brian A. Sehnert, AIA
President, bVerdant Consulting
Dear AIA & Allied Members:
The Chapter has recently had a tremendous opportunity come to us in the area of building design advocacy. Concern by architects and others in the design community came to our attention soon after the City of Sacramento’s Ordinance 2017-0061, Section 71 came into effect on January 12, 2018. The bulk massing/volume requirements in the Ordinance resulted in unintended consequences including project delays, design and aesthetic challenges, increased cost, and frustration by design professionals and their clients. In addition there was no public notice or education outreach required prior to the Ordinances’ passage.
AIA Central Valley responded by setting up an information session with City staff and other stakeholders. As a result of that meeting, a group of members volunteered to review and provide feedback, and a letter was written by the Chapter to the City. These actions started a dialogue which has resulted in greater flexibility for review of projects.
City staff then returned to the Chapter on April 10th to share the February 2018 revised drafts of the Multi-Unit, Single Unit/Duplex and Commercial Guidelines, to be submitted to City Council to be approved in May. The volunteer group members continues to meet on a regular schedule to address concerns and recommended modifications and revisions to these documents. Based on our concerns, the group unanimously agreed it would benefit the City, its citizens and design professionals, to request a 90-day continuance/extension to the Planning Department to allow more time to identify and address our concerns–and it was granted. We continue working with City staff to make certain that they are aware of our concerns, and we are aware of theirs.
This is an evolving work group and we welcome any members interested in participating–particularly architects that can foresee how these Guidelines might limit our ability to design innovative and healthy buildings. Please let us know if you want to be added to the Basecamp communication group to stay informed on this issue. This is your opportunity to assist with how design is implemented and will make a difference on a house-by-house basis, by neighborhood and is also our opportunity to influence the General Plan, which is just beginning its most recent update.
These activities tie in beautifully because, beginning this June, the Chapter is re-initiating monthly meetings with City planning and design staff to discuss issues of importance to architects and design in our City. We are incredibly appreciative to have this opportunity and thank Bruce Monighan, AIA for prompting this communication.
As I reported at the beginning of 2018, architectural advocacy is also served by the Chapter’s involvement in many other avenues including: the I Street Bridge design; riverfront and cultural district development; and a presentation from staff and consultants working on grant funding with the goal of updating Capitol Mall. Also, as a pilot, we are surveying the feasibility of initiating the PASS (Prequalified Architectural Submittal System). This regional streamlining permitting program has 17 jurisdictions in the Sacramento Valley that have been involved with projects ranging from Commercial TI’s to new commercial and multi-family projects.
Aligning themselves with an issue that Mayor Steinberg keeps in the forefront, our Chapter’s Emerging Professionals are interested in the growing homeless housing issue that Sacramento is facing. They have plans to develop a design competition in 2019 to provide tiny home plans for a community non-profit.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly with comments, questions and suggestions: [email protected].