The minutes were approved, after having been previously forwarded to each member. LOT CONSOLIDATION PLAT – 8321 MARYLAND AVENUE

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Josh Barcus, engineer with Stock & Associates, was in attendance at the meeting.

Susan Istenes explained that the subject property is located on the north side of Maryland Avenue between Crandon Drive and Lancaster Drive. The development plan for this property was approved by the Plan Commission-Architectural Review Board on March 6, 2017. The project consists of a freestanding bank (Regions Bank), a remote drive-through associated with the bank, a freestanding retail building and a surface parking lot. The 2,743-square-foot bank building is located at the southwest corner of the site and the 3,457-square-foot retail building is located at the southeast corner of the site. The bank and retail buildings will measure 21-feet 6-inches to the top of the parapet. The project is currently being reviewed for Building Permits. As originally approved, the bank building and retail building were to be located on separate lots. Due to restrictions of the Building Code, it has been determined that the lots should be consolidated. The proposed plat consolidates two existing lots (Lots C and D, Block 14 of Clayton Gardens No.3 and No.4) that have historically been under common ownership and addressed as 8321 Maryland Avenue. The consolidated lot measures 34,888 square feet. Director Istenes stated that staff believes the lot is consistent with the lots located in the immediate area with regard to size, frontage and arrangement and recommends approval to the Board of Aldermen with the following conditions:

Subdivision Ordinance requirements after Board of Aldermen approval;

In the R-1 Zoning District, a front circle drive is allowed if the lot has a minimum of 100 feet of linear street frontage, is a minimum of 15,000 square feet in area, with Public Works Department approval for a second curb cut and with Architectural Review Board approval. The subject property meets both the width and area requirements and the Public Works Department approved the request for a second curb cut. Director Istenes continued by stating that there are examples of circle drives or enlarged front paving areas in the vicinity of the property. Some front yard drives feature knee walls or landscaping to screen the driveway or parked cars from the public right of way, while others do not. In the R-1 Zoning District, front yard impervious coverage is limited to 45 percent and total lot impervious coverage is limited to 55 percent. Existing front yard coverage is approximately 11 percent and proposed front yard coverage is approximately 44.5 percent. Existing total lot coverage is 22 percent and proposed total lot coverage is approximately 32.8 percent. With the proposed increase in impervious coverage, the property will still stay below the maximum coverage allowed. The property currently features a shared driveway with the adjoining property to the east, which leads to a detached garage in the rear yard. The applicant is proposing to install a circle drive leading from the existing shared driveway west across the front of the house, then turning south along the property line and connecting back to Ellenwood Avenue.

The property currently features a shared driveway with the adjoining property to the east, which leads to a detached garage in the rear yard. The applicant is proposing to install a circle drive leading from the existing shared driveway west across the front of the house, then turning south along the property line and connecting back to Ellenwood Avenue. The proposed driveway footprint will be centered between existing trees located in the southwest corner of the property. The proposed material is exposed aggregate, which is an approved driveway material according to the Architectural Review Guidelines. The topography of the lot is generally flat, with a slight slope along the existing driveway edge. Significant regrading is not required to install the driveway. The existing stone retaining wall located near the southeast corner of the house will be extended to support some excavation near the front of the house. It is staff’s opinion that the proposed driveway will not cause an increase of storm water runoff to be shed onto adjoining properties. The applicant intends to remove the existing brick walkway leading from the sidewalk to a small patio at the front door. The project proposes to replace the walk and patio with a stamped concrete walkway and enlarged front patio. Stamped concrete is an approved paving material according to the Architectural Review Guidelines. The proposed patio will also feature a brick knee wall with a limestone cap. The proposed wall is similar the existing wall at the southeast corner of the house, which currently displays the property address.