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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeparture Narrative Departure Narrative The following are our requests for departures from the Bozeman Municipal Code. Departure 1.0 38.510.030.C Landscaped Block Frontage: Facade Transparency For buildings designed with ground level non-residential uses, at least 25% of the ground floor between 4'-8' above the sidewalk. Windows must be provided on all habitable floors of the facade. Window area that is glazed over or covered in any manner that obscures visibility into the storefront space shall not count as transparent window area. As this facade proposes a change in removal of the doors on the east portion of this elevation, a change in use in this location, as well as a change in the windows and windows in the area where the doors were, transparency requirements are applicable. Please provide these calculations accordingly. Departure Request: Due to the tenant’s needs and sensitivity of patients within the facility, the modifications to the southwest corner of the building are intended to maintain future ability for transparency in the facility while ensuring safety and security from the behavior of the patients. Our plan is to leave the windows in place and replace the door with storefront windows, however we are planning on putting a non-transparent film on the glass that can be removed in the future. Within the facility we will building a small wall behind the window so that the patient cannot harm themselves nor make obscene gestures to people walking buy. This wall will be able to be able to be deconstructed in order to expose the window in the future as needed. On the south side of the facility, we will be adding higher windows to allow natural daylight into the patient overnight rooms but will be constructed so a patient cannot harm themselves or create a scene for people walking by. Our plan is to allow for the existing transparency to be maintained and reversed easily if future use of the space change. Departure 2.0 38.520.070.E Location and screening of roof mounted mechanical equipment. 1. All rooftop mechanical equipment, including air conditioners, heaters, vents, and similar equipment must be fully screened from public view both at grade and from higher buildings with the exception of solar panels and roof-mounted wind turbines. Screening must be located so as not to interfere with operation of the equipment. 2. For rooftop equipment, all screening devices must be well integrated into the architectural design through such elements as parapet walls, false roofs, roof wells, clerestories, or equipment rooms. Screening walls or unit-mounted screening is allowed but less desirable. Wood must not be used for screens or enclosures. Louvered designs are acceptable if consistent with building design style. Perforated metal is not permitted. 3. The screening materials must be of material requiring minimal maintenance, and must be as high as the equipment being screened. 4. Locate and shield noise producing mechanical equipment such as fans, heat pumps, etc. to minimize sounds and reduce impacts to adjacent properties. Departure Request: As part of the design of this space, we’re required to meet certain safety precautions due to the use and risk of patients within the facility. One of those requirements is to keep our ceiling heights at 9’-0” or higher to protect them from trying to create harm by having access to any equipment mounted to the ceiling. Due to this requirement, we need to move two existing mechanical on the roof in order to keep the associated ductwork up high enough to maintain this ceiling height requirement. One new unit on the roof is also required to help with this zoning in order to keep the ductwork size smaller. Also, because this is an existing building, the existing roof structure (SIPS Panels) would not be able to support this structure without additional structural support added within the roof or below. Because of the drifting of snow against the requirement for a solid or louvered screen, this load would again conflict with the requirement for the 9’-0” ceiling height. This structure was not designed for this requirement when it was originally built and with limited adjustment to the existing rooftop units we are requesting a departure.