Planning & Design Meetings Landscape Subcommittee 3/17/2011 - Minutes03/21/2011 11:01 IFAX
GUNN HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
LANDSCAPE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
DATE: 17 March 2011, 3:30pm-5:00pm
SUBJECT: Landscape Review of Group One Projects
ATTENDEES: See attached list
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
� E IM 001/003
Alex Morrison (AM) gave a brief update of the Gunn HS projects
• Four projects will commence construction this summer: (1) Gym, (2) Classroom
Buildings, (3) Air Conditioning Retrofit, and (4) relocation of the bike cage.
• Restriping of the parking lot will also take place once the existing bike cage is relocated.
• Projects will go to bid as soon as they are approved by the State which is anticipated by
the end of next month.
• The Air Conditioning project is currently out to bid with a prebid job walk yesterday.
2. In preparation for construction of Building B along Arastradero Road, an existing memorial
oak tree needs to be transplanted so that it is out of the construction area. AM asked for
suggestions on where it might be transplanted to. Debbi Ellis(DE) recommended that the
sooner it takes place the better it will be for the tree. The site will discuss further but the
general consensus is that it be moved near the northeast end of the tennis courts where
there are other existing oak trees.
3. Erwin Lee (EL) reviewed the Gunn Landscape Master Plan with the attendees to reacquaint
everyone with the design goals and concepts. This helped the group understand the
proposed landscape design for the individual projects.
4. Todd Young (TY) with Gates Associates, presented the landscape design for each of the
three projects. The following were the discussion and comments:
Building A
• Much was discussed regarding the selection of the plant material. Of particular concern
was the understory selection of `Persian Ironwood' which is proposed for the bike area at
the back of the building. TY indicated that the plant selections were made from a list that
was previously compiled by the subcommittee. Chuck McDonnell (CM) and DE
indicated that the list is not current and that it has been modified.
• Tom Jacoubowsky (TJ) suggested that the location of the proposed bike area will be
very popular and that the number of bike racks should be maximized at this location.
• The proposed tree cutouts at the Spangenberg Theater raised the issue of whether the
roots would lift the adjacent pavement_ TY shared that the proposed tree species will not
be a problem.
• Mary Gordon (MG) raised the question whether deciduous trees are desirable for the
interior courtyard.
GUNN HS LANDSCAPE SUCOMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
17 March 2011
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03/21/2011 11:02 IFAX � E IM 002/003
EL suggested that the landscape design be thought of as a base plan with upgrades or
enhancements to provide more flexibility with the budget and bid. AM shared that the
project is currently trending high and any bid alternates would help.
TY explained that the "river of knowledge" paving pattern was initiated as a master plan
concept and carried through to the detail design. Several materials were discussed and
considered for finishes for the walking surfaces. The base finish will be strained concrete
with the upgrade as permeable pavers.
Building B
• The discussion regarding Building B was how much landscape is appropriate and is the
proposed plant material low water use. CM shared that their plan is to gradually reduce
the irrigation along Arastradero to beneficially reduce the water at and around the
existing oak trees.
• The question was raised about a providing a path from the bus stop to the campus. TY
explained that a path was not provided because it would need to be fully accessible
which would result in a costly ramp system. Everyone agreed that the configuration as
shown was fine.
Gymnasium
• EL explained that the landscape scope for the gymnasium is limited and consists of
planting around the existing aquatic building where a new seattretaining wall is proposed.
5. The existing redwood logs must be removed from its current location before construction can
start. Originally they were planned to be used as part of a natural habitat. The timing or
eventuality of that project is unknown. TJ said that the art department wanted,a few of the
logs. Others suggested that there they have value and that someone might remove them if
they could have them. DE shared that she might have a contact of someone whole might be
interested.
6. TY shared some photographs of similar boulders that could be incorporated into the plan.
The boulders were part of the original master plan concept.
• TY discussed the pros and cons of sandstone vs. granite. The sandstone is native to the
area but is soft and can be carved and damaged. The granite is a more durable material
but is not native and does not have the look of the boulders found in the local hills.
• Anne Ingels (Al) offered that the sandstone is more fitting with the concept of the master
plan and that the colors are more compatible with her vision of the master plan.
• TY shared a photo of a granite boulder that had been cut with a flat top for seating. The
group was not impressed with this configuration.
7. DE and TY will review the plant selections and provide a revised plant list for the group to
review. AM will post the revised drawings and plant list when complete.
END
Prepared by Erwin Lee of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise if you feel that any of the°above items
are inaccurate or need further clarification or detail.
cc: Attendees
File
GUNN HS LANDSCAPE SUCOMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
17 March 2011
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GUNN HIGH SCHOOL DATE: 17 March 2011
Palo Alto Unified School District
LANDSCAPE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
GROUP 1 PROJECT REVIEW
SIGN -IN SHEET
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END