Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2017 06 08

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes May 11, 2017 Page 14 of 18 Brauneis makes a motion to enter the material board into the record, seconded by Moline. Passed by voice vote. Commission Questions of Applicant: Moline says I was struck by the contrast between your initial design for 608 Main and the current one. Can you speak about the materials and color differences? Johnson says the original 608 Main Street design was a different building with different orientation and relationship to Main Street. The new design has more presence on Main Street. The Blue Parrot has a grounded solid feel. It is probably one of the best built buildings in Downtown. We felt we needed a more grounded first level. Brauneis says I have some questions about the rear of the building. I see no doors or windows. Is there is no emergency egress request for the center retail unit? Is there an internal corridor for the middle unit to get out of on the side? Johnson says all egress requirements are met on the sides. We are a zero lot line. The south and the north elevations both have second egress access points. The middle unit has an exit through a second door to a front main entry. Based on building code, we are not allowed to have any penetrations that are within the 5' setback from the property line. Brauneis asks if we can discuss deliveries to the back. With no rear doorways, we are looking at deliveries to the front and side. Sheets says I wonder how will deliveries be made to this structure. They can come through the alley to the parking lot. Will the parking spaces be designated or are they part of the City lot? Johnson says they are non -designated parking spaces. Sheets says if they are non -designated and the City decides to do something different in the future, this building has no access except the front through Main Street. All deliveries will be from Main Street. Johnson says as a part of the agreement with the City, this building does have access to the alley across Lot 2. This is public access and provides the opportunity for deliveries to happen without impeding traffic in the alley. Rice asks if part of the land exchange contract provides access to the alley. Johnson says yes. Sheets says I saw information on parking but nothing about deliveries. This is a different design than any other Main Street property. Brauneis says there are no doors on the back sido there is little incentive for deliveries to be made to the rear. Sheets says my concern is Main Street will be, by default, blocked by a delivery truck. Pritchard says deliveries should be using the alley. Johnson says with the access we provide on both sides, the side doors are close to the east corner. I work behind Koko Plaza which has a big parking lot. The City leases it after 5 pm. My parking lot backs to the alley. Trucks happen all day long and block our parking lot and access. It is common, but primarily it is in the morning. Those deliveries can be scheduled and typically are in the morning. Brauneis asks about sustainability. Johnson says we are looking at a structural steel building, insulating the walls properly, and being above code for 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. Hsu asks about the north area in the Core area where there is a deep setback. What is that? Johnson says it is the main entry (stair and elevator) for Voltage. It does have access to all retail spaces on the main level through a back corridor. Hsu says my initial impression is this is a modern type of building and not traditional. I believe this is what the HPC people were talking about. How does this building fit in with the Downtown character? Johnson says we feel the approach with the design is primarily the street level perspective. The brick detailing, while it is simple and not heavily articulated, it does have some corbelling and detailing found typically in a historic building. The store front entries are more typical in a main street environment. There are few buildings like this on Main Street, so there is little context. 16