Planning Commission Minutes 2016 03 10

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 Page 6 of 20 South Boulder Road and located forward. The traffic study shows the commercial is an acceptable level of service for what we are proposing. Parking for Buildings 1, 2, and 3 will be parked below. The proposal meets the requirements for the PUD and the ratios for the commercial and retail. The sidewalks and pedestrian circulation throughout the neighborhood includes an outdoor plaza/gathering area formed between Buildings 2 and 3. Building 7 on the corner has an outdoor area on the south side suitable for a brewery or similar use. Between the commercial and the residential, a lane will create an urban edge instead of having a "back side" to the commercial. There will be more windows and a pedestrian feel, and is multi -sided for the pedestrian experience. The residential buildings will have elevators and adds to housing need and diversity. Building 4 and Building 5 will have varied roof forms and glass. Michael Markel, Markel Homes, 5723 Arapahoe Avenue #213, Boulder, CO We have been working with the City of Louisville for over 10 years on North End. The good news is this is the last block of North End. We have accomplished a lot of different goals. We started out in 2007 and decided on a certain amount of units. Markel has proposed some adjustments and changes over the years. With the economy in 2007- 2008, the homebuilding business was in a depression. We are now in an upswing and feel fortunate to be a survivor of that particular recession. We need to adjust to the general economy and what the demand is for the marketplace. We also need to adjust to the demand within the community. For Louisville, we have accomplished a lot of goals. We have a passion for creating products that are unique to each town. The units at North End are not built in any other community. We are product -driven and market -driven, not accounting -driven. This project works as the last piece of North End because on the commercial side, the site is too small to be a big anchored center and it's too big to be successful as a neighborhood service -oriented commercial area. We decided to go in this direction because our consultants and our own studies showed building the neighborhood commercial, having visibility from South Boulder Road, and providing housing not available in Louisville is beneficial. There are a couple housing segments that are difficult to target for developers. Moderately -priced condominiums for 55+ and an older segment of the population are difficult to build. That is why we are asking for some additional units. I think they are needed in the community. In the first phase in this commercial area, I am moving my company from Boulder to Louisville in the first building. We have a craft brewery willing to build a small tasting area in Building 7. I think we have a good idea here to create a successful commercial area. I hope you will approve this. Commission Questions of Applicant: Moline asks Markel to describe in more detail the orientation and treatment of the back sides of the commercial, retail, and office buildings. Markel says we anticipate the businesses to be neighborhood -type services and deliveries to be made by vans and smaller vehicles. The retail would be a "double -sided" through unit with a front door and a back door that will be nicely detailed. We think these businesses will be more vibrant because there is good access, especially with the traffic signal one-half block away, and South Boulder Road visibility. Brauneis asks if any units are built for wheelchair accessibility. Markel says yes, all residential buildings and commercial buildings will be elevator accessible. The majority of the units will be beyond ADA compliance. Brauneis asks about the challenges of building condos, whether it is the market climate or the legal climate within the State of Colorado. How are you able to do it? Markel says we are building the most affordable residential product in Louisville. The first building is sold out and the second building is almost sold out. We are able to provide good quality products, good floorplans, and they are well -priced. We feel confident we will not run into legal conflict.