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PZC Minutes 091900Minutes of Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting September 19, 2000 Council Chambers Town of Avon Municipal Building 400 Benchmark Road Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:OOPM. II. Roll Call All Commissioners were in attendance with the exception of Commissioners Fehlner and Klein. III. Additions and Amendments to the Agenda Final Design Items A and B were moved to the Consent Agenda. IV. Conflicts of Interest Chairman Evans has a conflict with Final Design Item B, Lot 20, Block 4, 5570 Coyote Ridge, Wildridge V. Consent Agenda A. Approval of the September 5, 2000 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes B. Lot 57, Block 4, Wildridge Project Type: Duplex Applicant: Annie & Bob Darnell Owner: Werner Fricker Address: 5178 Longsun Lane /Lot 57, Block 4, Wildridge The application was approved with the condition that the retaining wall between the adjoining units be stepped. All retaining walls over 4 feet in height need to be structurally designed and stamped by a Colorado registered professional engineer. Minutes of P &Z Meeting September 19, 2000 Page 1 C. Lot 20, Block 4, Wildridge Project Type: Minor Project/ Fence Application Applicant: Jack Hunn Owner: Jack Hunn Address: 5570 Coyote Ridge Commissioner Karow moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Sipes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Macik abstaining from Item A, the Meeting Minutes and Chairman Evans abstaining from Item C. VI. Work Session A. Lot 2 and 3, Avon Town Square Project type: Town Square Lofts Applicant: Parkhill -Ivins P.C. Owner: Jack Berga /AI Williams Address: 90 Benchmark Road Presented by Tambi Katieb. Staff did not find the applicant met the required findings for a Variance. Additionally, the Engineering department submitted comments regarding the Variance including safety issues related to sight distance, access and impact on pedestrian connections and access to adjacent properties. Staff cannot support the project as submitted. We ask the applicant pursue a project more consistent with existing zoning requirements with a design more compatible to the surrounding community. Applicant presentation was made by Bill Parkhill and Bruce Ivins with Parkhill -Ivins Architects representing Al Williams for Avon Town Square. Guy Thorton, a collaborating architect was also present. Both firms are located in Denver. Mr. Parkhill stated this project is conceived to be slightly different than some of the buildings in Avon. Guy Thorton has been involved with some loft projects in downtown Denver. This project has a higher floor to ceiling height and a lot of glass on the south facing skin. There are 35 units of which 3 are deed restricted. There are 179 parking spaces; they are required to provide 180. There is one floor of underground parking attached to the adjacent underground parking of the other two buildings. There will be one floor of surface parking covered by the building itself. The design has balconies that are hung off versus recessed. It has a series of rooftop gardens. On the exterior, the use of materials will primarily be efface and glass and the protruding balconies will be hung off in a more ornamental style using metal. There are also some recessed balconies. Mr. Ivins pointed out the rooftop gardens will have raised planters, trees and lawns. Minutes of P &Z Meeting September 19, 2000 Page 2 Mr. Parkhill said we are creating a wider separation distance between the White River Center and this project so we can provide the bridge from there to the Confluence site, across the tracks and over to Lot 61, which is part of the reason why we are asking for some of the setback variances. We have a shorter building and are asking for a little more width. The width of the building also allows for the covered parking. If the building were narrower, the parking would not be fully covered. We have also included the deed restricted units which fit on the north side of the building. Mr. Parkhill commented that we understand this is a work session and would like constructive criticism from you, but to keep in mind that we are trying to break the paradigm and have an urban loft -type building, not a residential looking project. Today's concept may be blocky, but that is what we are trying to achieve. Chairman Evans commented that the applicant is talking about the proposed elevated walkway from the Confluence over to Lot 61. He said he knows where the concept is coming from but where was it decided that it was coming through this site? Mike Matzko, Director Community Development, said it was discussed in the Lot 61 approval process and they anticipated it roughly going through there. Chairman Evans asked that in the PUD process for the Confluence site wasn't the proposed elevated walkway location coming through to the Seasons? Mr. Matzko said it may have been, but the primary direction was in the area of Lot 61. Commissioner Karow commented that this application does not meet the required findings to grant a Variance. Additionally, he said he was concerned with the overall height. Reducing the height would make the project more consistent with the existing buildings in this three - building development and would take care of the parking problem. This is a very tall, narrow structure. The lot itself is very narrow. A building more consistent in architecture to the surrounding buildings would be more appropriate for this lot. You say you want to break the paradigm, but it just seems like you are trying to get around our existing zoning codes. Commissioner Macik stated he does not agree with the application for a Variance and feels it is not warranted. He agrees with Staff comments 1 — 11. The boxy style is a negative. Commissioner Head stated that the landscaping at the base is minimal, especially in the pedestrian corridor. Commissioner Sipes said he cannot support this application. It does not meet the eight design criteria or the Town Center design guidelines. The overall massing is too large for the site with long, unbroken walls. The rooftop garden is just a way to get around not having a pitched roof. The project does not relate to its neighbors. He said there is very little he can support on this application. Chairman Evans commented that the only way he could support the hardship required for a Variance would be a public amenity crossing a privately zoned lot. Secondly, he Minutes of P &Z Meeting September 19, 2000 Page 3 said he was open to the idea of rooftop gardens, but the 80 foot building, which is the maximum allowed height under Town Center zoning, has an additional 15 or 20 more feet with the trees on rooftop. The additional height is a concern for the adjacent owners. The Commission is not reacting to the skin, but the overall massing of this project. We have problems with the fact that you don't even fit on the site. Mr. Parkhill said if we were able to step the massing down, create more articulation in and out so it is not just straight lines and create more variation, would that help? Tambi Katieb commented to the Commission that the Staffs primary concern is the Variance, although the design is certainly an issue. Chairman Evans said there is no support for the Variance from this Commission at this time. Mr. Ivins asked would a PUD be a better way to go on this project? Commissioner Karow answered a PUD would not help the Variance issue. You must have a finding of a hardship to give any Variance whether it be 2 feet or 20 feet. VII. Other Business A. Selection of P &Z Representative of Village at Avon Design Review Board Commissioner Karow said he would be agreeable to an appointment as an interim representative. He would attend the first few meetings. Commissioner Macik nominated Andrew Karow as an interim representative to the Village at Avon Board. The nomination passed unanimously. B. Staff Approvals were presented by Tambi Katieb 1. Lot 45, Block 4, Wildridge Subdivision 5129 Longsun Lane Repainting of Home 2. Lot 43, Block 2, Wildridge Subdivision (Canyon Oaks) Landscaping, Irrigation System on Unit #3 Tambi added an additional Staff Approval for Lot 50, Block 1, Benchmark at Beaver Creek - repainting. C. Chairman Evans commented that the new sign at Wildwood and Wildridge needed to have some kind of treatment on the backside of the sign which is bare concrete. Ruth said she would communicate that to Public Works. Minutes of P &Z Meeting September 19, 2000 Page 4 VIII. Adjourn Commissioner Sipes moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Karow seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cecelia Fenton Recording Secretary APPROVED: October 3, 2000 Chris Evans Chairman Andrew Karc Secretary Minutes of P &Z Meeting September 19, 2000 Page 5