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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-1998 DRB Minutes DESIGN REVIEW BOARD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1998 MEETING NOTES (A QUORUM OF THE BOARD WAS NOT IN ATTENDANCE. NO FORMAL ACTION OCCURRED ON THIS DATE) ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Walt Willett, Acting Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m. Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Visitors Present Mara Gai Katz Ed McCrone John Sherman Al Davis Walt Willet Bill Hanson Dave Skelton Bob Bushing Roger Cruwys Therese Berger Culver Varnado Kim Walker Debbie Arkell Wally Beil Henry Sorenson Lewis Burton Carroll Henderson AS A QUORUM OF THE BOARD WAS NOT PRESENT, NO OFFICIAL ACTION COULD BE TAKEN. HOWEVER, THOSE PRESENT AGREED TO DISCUSS THE TWO PROJECTS, AS THE APPLICANTS WERE PRESENT. ITEM 2. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 1998 -- NO ACTION TAKEN ITEM 3. PROJECT REVIEW A. Machinery Power & Equipment Co., CAT Rental Store CUP/COA Z-9818 -- 30 Deadman's Gulch-- A conditional use permit application with a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the construction of a 12,000 sq.ft. rental and service facility and site improvements on 4.07+/- acres (Sherman) Al Davis, Bob Bushing, Culver Varnado, and Wally Beil joined the Board. Planner Sherman distributed memos from Board Members Ed McCrone and Kim Walker. Chairperson Willet noted that because there is no quorum, only a discussion among the members present will occur. Planner John Sherman reviewed the proposal, stating that the Planning Staff is recommending that this application be continued, as a number of issues need resolution before Staff can make a favorable recommendation to the Board. Bob Bushing stated they agree to reduce the height of the freestanding lights to 20-feet, and will change the wall mounted light fixture to be similar to the pole lights to ensure none of the luminaire is exposed. Planner Sherman discussed a condition placed on the project by the Development Review Committee which requires an 8-foot high screening fence and landscape on the north, west and west 300 feet of the south property line, so that the storage areas are screened. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, NOVEMBER 24, 1998 1 Walt Willett stated he thinks the project is very well designed, and considering the two buildings between which it will be located, it is outstanding. He stated it is very similar to the building on the south side of Gibson Guitar. He noted it is impossible to see the south exposure of the building unless you are standing outside the Gibson Guitar building, and that it cannot be seen from the freeway. He added that the accessory building on the Gibson Guitar site also blocks that facade from the North 19th. Mr. Willett stated visually he wouldn't have minded seeing a gable over the entry, but practically, a valley should not be placed on a metal roof. With regard to the south exterior, Mr. Willett suggested the wainscoat could be extended up to the roof around the doors to offer a visual break. Bob Bushing presented a revised elevation that shows an enclosed storage area that will break up the roof line and create a shadow line on the south side. He stated they have known all along that this could become an issue, and have agreed that certain guidelines must be met. They are in the process of addressing that. Walt Willett suggested the proposed revision would help that comer of the building, which is the only corner that can be seen. It would also help the west elevation. Walt Willett stated he likes the idea of displaying the large equipment. The store in Billings tastefully displays the equipment. The distinction between display and storage is his concern, to ensure that storage doesn't encroach into the display area. W. Willett stated he would like to see the display area raised because the site is lower than N. 19th. Mr. Bushing stated they cannot put a berm in because of the drainage of the site. He stated the display area won't be a solid gravel area, as the covenants require a certain amount of green space. They will probably just have a gravel driveway to pull the machinery on, but the remainder will be grassed. Walt Willett stated if the display area was raised, it would contribute to the screening of the storage area from North 19th. Based on what Mr. Bushing indicated,Mr. Willett stated he would rather see the display space more defined, so it doesn't look like they just pulled equipment onto the grass. Al Davis stated the Billings store is more of a sales store, and this store is a rental store, so the equipment will not be setting on the site a large amount of time. Wally Beil added that this is smaller equipment, and there will not be much large construction equipment here. Bob Bushing stated he doesn't agree that the area shown is all storage. He felt he delineated on this application what he was going to call display. Part of the operation of the business includes a large amount of circulation for loading and unloading. There will be some storage, but he strongly believes it is not the whole site. The fence is there for security purposes. The equipment on display is for sale or rent-- it is not being stored. Thus, they would like to see the fence visible. An opaque fence will not work. Walt Willett stated the Board has agreed in the past that slatted chain link fence is not appropriate in the entryway, and the Board prefers an open chain link fence. W. Bushing stated there may be a place appropriate for a solid fence, such as the tire storage area. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, NOVEMBER 24, 1998 2 Walt Willett stated the area between N. 19th and the building is very large. He understands that the use requires this, but noted there is no landscape shown on the south boundary. He stated some landscape along the south side could soften and break up that large area. Bob Bushing agreed that that may be possible. With regard to the fence, Walt Willett reiterated he would prefer an open fence with landscaping, except in areas of true storage. Dave Skelton stated the Code requires an opaque wall or screen for outside storage. He stated the use of this site is for rental purposes, and is not for sales. Thus, it is required to be screened. They would have to apply for a deviation from the ordinance to not screen the site, and due to the location in the entryway, an alternative must be found to provide adequate screening. John Sherman stated it is imperative that they determine what is display and what is storage. Walt Willett stated there is a difference between what's displayed outside the fence and inside. The display area can't be used for storage. John Sherman reviewed a condition placed on the project by the DRC that addressed that. Bob Bushing indicated they agree with that condition, and that all concerned have to work out what is display and what is storage. He referred to a section in the Code that defines display of equipment that is for sale or rent. Mara Gai Katz stated she would like to see a layout of their screening and storage. Bob Bushing displayed a sketch that they are currently considering that further defines storage and display. He stated if continuing the project will allow him to submit revised drawings, he could further address that. Walt Willett stated this has to be continued due to lack of quorum. John Sherman stated that as long as he has revised drawings by December 1, they can be submitted to the Board for their December 8 meeting. Mara Gai Katz stated she does not have the same concerns expressed in the letters submitted by members Walker and McCrone, and that adding the overhang is a positive feature. She does have concern regarding the complex issue of display versus storage, and it needs to be clarified before going forward with what has been presented. Walt Willett stated he doesn't see much wrong with the building or site on the east end. The problem is on the west end, and the sketch Mr. Bushing submitted could address that problem. Mr. Bushing expressed concern with the asphalt path the PUD guidelines require, as the path will not connect to anything. He stated they might instead want to donate to the park fund referred to in the PUD section. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, NOVEMBER 24, 1998 3 B. Henderson Concept PUD Z-98191 -- 1005 East Griffin Drive, A Concept Planned Unit Development proposal for the development of roughly 500 storage units and 28 mobile home lots on approximately 18.5 acres located north of Griffin Drive, between Bridger and Griffin Drives. Carroll Henderson and Lewis Burton joined the Board. Walt Willett reminded those in attendance that they cannot take any action today due to lack of a quorum. Planner Therese Berger stated generally there isn't a motion on a Concept Review, but that Board member comments are forwarded to the applicant for their use in preparing the preliminary submittal. Planner Berger reviewed the proposal. Mara Gai Katz stated she was uncomfortable with two members of the Board commenting on the proposal without a full Board present, because it would be more beneficial to the applicant if they reviewed it with a full Board present. Lewis Burton stated he doubted they would get very far until the next meeting anyway, because of the holiday. Mr. Burton asked if any other Board members submitted written comment. Planner Berger stated no written continent was received except from Ed McCrone who stated he would not be commenting because of a potential conflict of interest due to his owning property next to the subject application. Walt Willett agreed that the project should be continued until a full Board is present. Lewis Burton indicated the major concerns that need to be addressed by the Board before they prepare the preliminary plan. Carroll Henderson stated he puts value on good landscaping, and referred to the Sylvan Springs condominiums he developed in the 1970s. He stated most of this area prior to 1986 was in the flood plain, and showed the two ponds that are proposed. It was noted these will be actual ponds, and not detention ponds. Mr. Henderson stated the storage facilities must be fire proof and made of non-combustible materials or be fire coded. The only building in the rental area that will require sewer is the office and manager's house. There is contemplated usage of shipping containers like those at his warehouse on North Rouse. Where those are used, he plans to put a steel face on them to dress them up. He displayed colored brochures of the other type of units he is proposing, which are portable units. Mr. Henderson stated he wants the front building to be attractive, and he is considering having it masonry. He stated he is aware that it is in the secondary entryway to the city, and it should be attractive. Walt Willett stated that when the full board is present what is visible from Bridger Drive will be the biggest concern. Mr. Henderson indicated he may not get the cargo containers, and then would use all of the pre- made storage units. He stated they are considering using the shipping containers on the outside perimeter because they offer better security, as a chain link fence would only be needed between units, and along the other sides. It was indicated intermittent breaks along the south side units might be wanted. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, NOVEMBER 24 , 1998 4 Walt Willett indicated another thing the Board will consider is the treatment of the area between the river and the units. Mr. Henderson reviewed the flood plain and flood way. Mr. Henderson indicated that the improvements being required to the road are not feasible, and he may not pursue the mobile home portion of the project because of the costs associated with its development. This item will be continued to the December 8 meeting for further discussion. Planner Berger will provide an additional memo reviewing the PUD standards. Meeting ended at 5:00 p.m. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, NOVEMBER 24 , 1998 5