Board of Adjustment Agenda and Packet 2014 09 17

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LOUISVILLE MILL SITE LLC 950 Spruce Street, Suite 1A, Louisville, CO 80027 303.673.9304 Mr. Troy Russ. Planning Director Mr. Scott Robinson, Planner City of Louisville, Colorado 749 Main Street Louisville, CO 80027 22 August, 2014 Troy and Scott, Re: Louisville Mill Site Redevelopment Floodplain Development Permit 500, 540, 544 County Road (Front Street) Attached please find the supporting documentation for the Floodplain Development Permit for the above referenced properties. We understand that proposed improvements to the Grain Elevator building will require a variance for the new construction in the floodptain. Please consider the following responses to the variance criteria for this project. 1. That there are unique physical circumstances or conditions such as irregularity, narrowness or shallowness of lot, or exceptional topographical or other physical conditions peculiar to the affected property; The existing grain elevator is an historic structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The applicant is currently in the process of a structural stabilization project to preserve the historic structure, and also plans to accomplish additional renovations to the structure to be able to utilize it for a commercial use. The existing main level finished floor elevation is above the Flood Protection Elevation of 5334.0, but the lower areas of the building, including wood framed portions of the structure, are currently below the Base Flood Elevation of 5333.0. The applicant desires to re- construct the original porte cochere on the west side of the building, which was originally the location for wagons to unload grain to the lower level of the grain elevator. This area will consist of the existing foundation walls which have been excavated, with new concrete wall reinforcement, and wood floor, wall and roof framing, similar to the original porte cochere framing, to be constructed on top of the reinforced /reconstructed foundations. Enclosure of the porte cochere for commercial use is anticipated. The original ramp at the porte cochere over the lower level sloped from grade elevation at the scales, (5331.6 +1 -) which was approximately 12" lower than our proposed grade at this location, to an elevation of approximately 5333.3'. The proposed reconstruction would provide a finished floor for the majority of the space at the "wagon platform" (higher area within porte cochere) of 5334.3, above the FPE, but a portion of the floor at the lower north entry (less than 1000) would be at 5332.7, which requires a variance. All required building egress doors would be above the Flood Protection Elevation. Due to the unique configuration of this historic structure and site, it is not possible to reconstruct this area to be completely above the FPE and still maintain a sense of how the original building functioned with the original scales and porte cochere. Due to the existing construction of the historic structure, it is not possible to floodproof the basement and below grade areas of this building.