Citation in context
July 17, 2017 — Meeting Minutes
Cited passage
Sorth stated that she realizes the importance of the City’s process and that this is simply a matter of dollars. She added that they have been up front and honest throughout the entire process.
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Joanne Boulton stated that she does not understand the issue they have with the easement.
Ms. Sorth referred to their budget, their debt and their commitments. She stated that although it’s not in their plans now (City streetscape), they are hopeful to find a donor, which they are seeking.
Craig Owens suggested that it would be preferable to approve this project with staff recommendations rather than to deny it; the applicant would then have to take City’s approval conditions to their governing body.
Hearing no further questions or comments from the members and hearing none from the audience, Ron Reim made a motion to approve the site plan per staff recommendations (outlined above). The motion was seconded by William Liebermann and received the following vote: Ayes: Craig Owens, Chairman Lichtenfeld, Ron Reim, William Liebermann and Brian Maguire. Nays: Joanne Boulton. Motion carries.
The architectural aspects of the project were now up for review.
Susan Istenes stated that the primary building material for the proposed building is grey brick with an accent material of teal brick. The building features a flat roof with brick parapet walls and metal coping. Structural glazed storefront windows are proposed. A 6 foot tall composite wood fence is proposed in the northeast corner of the site to screen the service area from adjacent properties. The existing concrete retaining wall at the southeast corner of the property, adjacent to the driveway, will remain and a new guardrail added. Two colored concrete retaining walls are proposed along the Maryland Avenue frontage, perpendicular to the street. One is located at the southwest corner of the building, which will allow for a more natural slope along North Central Avenue and create the proposed tree lawn along Maryland Avenue. The second wall is located just west of the driveway. The applicant is proposing to re-use the existing library ground sign. The existing ground sign was approved by the Architectural Review Board on January 22, 2013. After receiving approval for the design, a Sign Permit was never obtained. A Sign Permit will be required for re-installation of the ground sign. Two wall signs are proposed, one for each street frontage. The proposed wall signs each measure 13.33 square feet in area and are constructed of aluminum. The wall signs will be illuminated by mounted strip lights. The applicant is requesting that the Architectural Review Board approve sign modifications to allow wall signs in addition to the ground sign as well as wall signs larger than the maximum area allowed. The proposed wall sign facing North Central Avenue is located near the building entrance and the wall sign facing Maryland Avenue is located near the parking garage entrance. Both proposed signs are also larger than the allowed 12 square feet. Because the main entrance and the garage entrance are located off different streets, staff supports the request for two wall signs. Because nearby commercial and retail tenants are allowed wall signs of at least 15 square feet in area, staff believes the size of the proposed wall signs is compatible with the surrounding context. Director Istenes stated that staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
sidewalk along Maryland Avenue, for streetscape installation and maintenance.
Mr. Ringwald introduced Steve Wheeler, landscape architect, to the members.
Mr. Wheeler presented a slide depicting the proposed hardscape/landscape plan.
Joanne Boulton asked why they are not doing City streetscape.
Mr. Wheeler indicated that it is a cost issue and widening seems out of place.
Ron Reim asked City staff about the progress of the Kol Rinah church project (just up the street on Maryland Avenue).
Susan Istenes indicated that staff anticipates the project coming back for reconsideration.
Ron Reim asked if streetscape was part of their project.
Susan Istenes replied “yes”.
Mr. Wheeler announced that their property line goes all the way up to the sidewalk.
Joanne Boulton replied “hence the easement”.
Mr. Wheeler stated that they moved the entrance further up Central Avenue, they moved the ADA parking spaces further up as well, they are providing bicycle racks and that the sidewalk is 6-foot wide along Central Avenue.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that the public sidewalk is only 5-feet wide.
Wheeler stated that they moved the entrance further up Central Avenue, they moved the ADA parking spaces further up as well, they are providing bicycle racks and that the sidewalk is 6-foot wide along Central Avenue. Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that the public sidewalk is only 5-feet wide.
15 Mr. Wheeler indicated that the trash will remain inside, there is no requirement for BMPs and that they are adding greenspace.
More slides depicting the proposed building were shown. Mr. Wheeler stated that there are eight on-site trees that are being removed; however, the 19-inch Bradford Pear is to remain. Slides depicting proposed landscaping were shown. Mr. Wheeler noted that they are compliant with the native species requirement.
Slides depicting the proposed fencing, bicycle racks, benches, flagpole and lighting were shown. Mr. Wheeler noted that there will be no light spillage of the LED lights.
A discussion regarding what parts of City streetscape are missing and what is being proposed as part of this project ensued.
Ron Reim asked the applicant if they object to the City installing trees.
Ms. Sorth replied “no”.
Ms. Harlan stated that if they do the easement, it takes a public sidewalk onto private property and then there would then be a need for a retaining wall which would change the appearance.
Joanne Boulton disagreed; she suggested eliminating four parking spaces. She added that doing that would also preclude the use of the sidewalk by bicyclists.
Ms. Sorth stated that implementing the City streetscape would cost them an additional half million dollars. She added that there are serious dollar issues here and that they’ve made a commitment to doing this building, but they have limitations.
Ms. Harlan stated that they feel they are in line with what is on the street now and what will be on the street in the future.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commented that the new church to the east has set the tone.
Ms. Sorth commented that they are political subdivision of the State of Missouri and that the City can only make recommendations here.
Joanne Boulton stated that she is having a hard time supporting this project.
Ron Reim stated that this can be denied and the applicant can decide themselves how they wish to proceed.
Ms. Sorth stated that she realizes the importance of the City’s process and that this is simply a matter of dollars. She added that they have been up front and honest throughout the entire process.
Because nearby commercial and retail tenants are allowed wall signs of at least 15 square feet in area, staff believes the size of the proposed wall signs is compatible with the surrounding context. Director Istenes stated that staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
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prior to installation.