HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUMMARY OF PRE-APPLICATION HEARINGSUMMARY OF PRE-APPLICATION HEARING
The applicant attended the May 22, 2020 pre application hearing. The
comments from the commissioners are summarized as follows:
SITING Given location and no structures, okay with zero lot line. The
project does not generally conform to the prevailing development
patterns in the immediate surroundings. However, given the location of
the property and the likelihood that no other developments will be
proposed that would be affected, I feel it reasonable to allow a zero-lot
line. Although the applicant is asking for a variance (or something like
that) to allow minimal setbacks, there is no problem with that in the
absence of other buildings around it.
HEIGHT Okay, fits guidelines. The building height is in compliance with
the guidelines. No exception taken. At ~ 28 feet, there is no problem.
PROPORTION Okay. The building proportion is in compliance with the
guidelines. No exception taken. It has the proportions of a warehouse,
i.e., it is rectangular.
RHYTHM Okay. The building rhythm is in compliance with the
guidelines. No exception taken. The windows and openings are regular
and similar in size. There is no problem with this factor.
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SCALE Okay, may not be applicable, lone structure. The building
scale is in compliance with the guideline. No exception taken. Even
though this reminds one of a warehouse repurposed for human
habitation, it is about the size of many two-bedroom houses.
MASSING Okay, square footage and height is compliant. The building
massing is in compliance with the guidelines. No exception taken. No
problem. See comments on scale, supra.
ENTRANCE AREA Glass or wood garage door – okay either way. The
building entrance has a recessed front entry more common to
commercial retail buildings of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, which
appears to be the intent. The building also has a front-loaded garage
which is generally (not) seen within the district as a whole. However,
as mentioned above in item 1, I feel lit is a reasonable design
typography for this location. Because there is both an opening for an
entrance and a garage door, it is acceptable, although different. The
garage door now is shown made entirely of glass, which is something I
have never seen. The applicant states that he might well change the
composition of that door to wood. While either one would probably do,
the wood would probably do better because it would make the front
solid, whereas glass makes it visually less so.
WALL AREAS Okay – brick coursing, etc. The building wall area are
in compliance with the guidelines. No exception taken. It is all brick,
and nothing unusual. See, facade, infra.
ROOF AREA Flat roof, okay. The building has a flat roof more
common on commercial structures within the period of significance.
Generally residential buildings within the district exhibit pitched roof
forms. However, as mentioned previously, I feel it is a reasonable
design typology for this location. This is a flat roof, which seems to be
what this design calls for.
FAÇADE Okay, check with Staff for changes. The building facades are
in compliance with the guidelines. No exception taken. As it is
presented here, it is all brick and all the same brick except for a course
of brick separating the first story from the second story. I think that is
fine.
DETAILING Brick details, check with Staff. The building details are in
compliance with the guidelines. No exception taken. As it is presented
here, it is all brick and all the same brick except for a course of brick
separating the first story from the second story. I think that is fine.