City Council Agenda and Packet 2018 04 17

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes March 20, 2018 Page 7 of 19 David Sinkey, 712 Main Street, with Boulder Creek Neighborhoods thanked City staff for help in answering questions and helping them study any conflicting policies. Boulder Creek came to Louisville in 2010 to be a part of a community where they build homes. The company takes pride in being a part of Louisville. He noted companies of the size of theirs often are housed in a more corporate setting. Their current offices have become too small. They now own 4 buildings in downtown. Boulder Creek has about 80 employees along with contract employees. 30-40 are currently housed in downtown Louisville. He felt the company is an asset to downtown, but noted they have displaced some retail space. Talking to his neighbors on Main Street he realized the need for providing retail space. The design has gone through several iterations. The setback of top floors loses square footage but provides a better feel. He appreciated the thoughtful feedback they have gotten. Erik Hartronft, 950 Spruce Street, project architect, stated this project has been in the works for about 4 years. The economics of downtown are dependent on every single lot. Retail is important and they tried to respect the surrounding buildings. Historic structures should not be copied but complement the inventory of buildings. Downtown is quite eclectic. He noted they had several design drivers to look at as they developed the design. He stated providing parking on site is expensive. The parking has a gate and lights telling if there are open spaces. The third level is set back 49' from the front of the building, subordinate and not visible where the two story element is. The third floor is setback on the alley side as well. The balcony on the second floor gives relief to what would otherwise be just a two story facade. He showed the design board and described the different siding elements for the building. There is space for a mural on the side of the building. The stair tower and two balconies are the only waivers requested. Director Zuccaro addressed the downtown parking calculation and staff's belief that a parking structure doesn't count toward FAR in downtown. Public Comments Joel Hayes, 187 Harper, said the mass and scale are incompatible with this location in historic downtown. The height dwarfs everything on the block. It changes the character on the block and invites other buildings to change as well. Parking doesn't meet needs and will be full. Andy Johnson, 920 Lincoln, felt a flier he received on his door needed some correction from his view as an architect. He commended the applicant, architect and staff for putting together a difficult project. Parking calculations are met. The basement as an area should not be considered as habitable space. He said the flier didn't correctly portray the look. Charles Haseman, 247 S. Lark Avenue, showed slides and voiced his objection to combining the two lots; two buildings would be better. There is not enough space to view artwork in the alley. He felt the third floor towered above and showed images to 34