Citation in context
May 2, 2016 — Meeting Minutes
Cited passage
Chairman Lichtenfeld informed Mr. Smith that the changes are up to them to make and re-present to this Board.
Notice of this request was sent to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property.
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Hearing no further questions or comments, Pepe Finn made a motion to approve the addition per staff recommendation and to table the signage pending modification by the applicant. The motion was seconded by Craig Owens and unanimously approved by the Board.
Chairman Lichtenfeld called for a 2 minute recess (7:53 p.m.)
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT SUBDISTRICT/SITE PLAN REVIEW/ ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW - NEW CONSTRUCTION – COMMERCIAL BUILDING – 8125 FORSYTH BOULEVARD (APOGEE)
Rick Clawson, project architect, was in attendance at the meeting. Also in attendance were Jared Novelly, Apex Oil, developer, and Mike Schoedel, also with Apex Oil.
Susan Istenes provided an overview of the project as follows: The 0.52-acre site is located on the north side of Forsyth Boulevard between Brentwood Boulevard and Maryland Avenue, and has a zoning designation of Special Development District (SDD). The property is improved with a two story commercial building that was constructed in 1947 and is currently vacant. Adjacent land uses include retail and office buildings and Shaw Park to the south. In 1982, the subject property and the other properties in the block bounded by Brentwood Boulevard, Maryland Avenue and Forsyth Boulevard were rezoned to a Special Development District (SDD). As part of the SDD ordinance, the individual parcels on the block were to be developed in phases in accordance with general development standards for height, size and parking found in the Special Development Plan. Since approval of the rezoning in 1982, four office buildings and a shared parking structure have been constructed. Two parcels, including the subject property, have not yet been redeveloped. The property is subject to the use, area, height, and parking requirements which are specified in the Special Development Plan. The project consists of the demolition of the existing structure and the construction of a 238,097-square-foot, 14-story office building including 1,655 square feet of ground floor space for a financial institution and a 3,737 square-foot retail/restaurant tenant. The proposed building will be constructed primarily of architectural precast panels with brick veneer, glass, and metal accents. Parking will be located in the existing parking structure which serves other buildings on the block. A drive through is proposed on the east side of the building for a future bank tenant and is screened by a street level fountain. On December 7, 2015, this project was presented to the Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board for Conceptual Review. This project requires approval of the following applications, each of which is accompanied by a staff report detailing the specific request and the criteria for approval:
Notice of this request was sent to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property.
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Chairman Lichtenfeld agreed; stating however he doesn’t see that sign serving the purpose they need. He asked that the discussion go back to the street trees along Carondelet; noting that Clayton is honored as being a tree city, an honor that the City would like to keep. He stated that Carondelet is the secondary street.
Mr. DeGagne stated that their front elevation is along Carondelet.
Mr. Smith commented that this restaurant is going in an urban center, which is unique. He noted that at night, sign D will look like it is floating in the air; sign A is halo lit and will provide a softer glow.
Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that at night, the curved sign will be more visible.
Mr. Smith agreed.
Chairman Lichtenfeld questioned the relevance of the curved sign at the corner.
Sherry Eisenberg commented that a smaller sign would fit better on the front elevation.
Mr. Smith indicated that they could reduce the “C” down to 24-inches.
A discussion ensued about various options of letter heights.
Mark Winings asked if the signs under the lions are essential; noting that there are a lot of signs; three in a 6-foot area.
Mr. Smith informed the members that the plaques are critical; the Capital Grill lion signs are their signature.
Chairman Lichtenfeld asked about sign C.
Mr. Smith stated that they could live without that one.
Mark Winings asked how far in excess of the sign ordinance they are requesting, as he is not sure of the justification here.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that signs A & D are lit differently; at night sign D will be predominate.
Mr. Smith agreed.
Mr. Smith agreed.
Notice of this request was sent to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property.
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Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that signs C & E are superfluous; sign A should be reduced. He stated that seven signs for a restaurant are a lot.
Mr. Smith commented that signs A & D are important.
Chairman Lichtenfeld indicated that he would like to stay as close as possible to the sign ordinance regulations, while still allowing the opportunity for the restaurant to be successful.
Mr. DeGagne again asked that the City allow them to provide a botanical area rather than planting three trees along their front.
Susan Istenes informed the members that the streetscape (trees, included) regulations are not something this Board can waive; this is a Public Works Department matter, there are adopted streetscape regulations and not up for discussion this evening.
Craig Owens stated that there may be some flexibility with the tree variety.
Chairman Lichtenfeld asked that the discussion go back to the signage.
Mr. Smith stated that he can reduce signs A & D, E and possibly the plaques.
Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that it seems that is going in the right direction.
Craig Owens asked that, because this is such a variance from what is allowed and because there will likely be various reductions, this Board be given the opportunity to review the changes at a future meeting.
Mark Winings asked that the applicant explain the materials.
Mr. DeGagne stated that the white brick will encompass 70% of the façade and that there will be granite along the bottom.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that the building looks good.
Mr. Smith asked the members how they would feel about him reducing signs A & D to 48.88 square foot each, for roughly 97.76 square feet total; the code currently permits 78 square feet, so this would be 19.76 square foot more than permitted.
Chairman Lichtenfeld informed Mr. Smith that the changes are up to them to make and re-present to this Board.
Rick Clawson introduced Mr. Novelly and Mr. Schoedel to the members. He then asked the member how they would like him to proceed. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked for a brief summary of the project. Mr. Clawson indicated that the project is similar to the one that was conceptually presented back in December. A sample of the brick (thin) was presented. Mr. Clawson noted that the brick is similar to that on the Merrill Lynch Center. Samples of the high performance Low-E glass and canopy glass, stone and metal were also presented. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked Mr. Clawson to discuss the first agenda item for this project; the special development sub-district; specifically the square footage and parking. Mr. Clawson stated that they looked at the Special Development District (SDD) Ordinance and that a 14 story building was approved for this parcel. He noted the shared garage, stating that they discussed the parking situation with staff and worked with Crawford, Bunte & Brammeier (CBB) in conducting a parking and access study. He stated that there is a substantial amount of parking in the shared garage, which was increased by 7 levels back when Merrill Lynch took occupancy. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked if this would be the only building in the SDD without its own parking. Mr. Clawson replied “no”; noting that there are three, including the existing building. He stated that the amendments they are requesting are for an increase in square footage and no parking within the building. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked how many parking spaces there are. Mr.
Chairman Lichtenfeld asked how many parking spaces there are. Mr. Clawson indicated that in the block, there are 2,806; 2,134 of them in central garage. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked if 1/3 of those spaces are unoccupied. Mr. Clawson replied “yes”. He added that levels 10 through 14 are essentially vacant daily. Susan Istenes informed the members that a representative of CBB is here this evening.