Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/04/2012

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Northgate Performing Arts Center: Site Plan Review September 28, 2012 Page 2 of 7 this 60% building frontage requirement. This method has been successfully used to frame the Allina Medical Clinic site. The proposed site and building plans do not include plans for a decorative wall to meet this frontage requirement along Sunwood Drive. Staff recommends an extension of a similar wall, as along the Allina Medical Clinic site, to fulfill the building frontage requirement and satisfy required parking lot screening for the proposed spaces facing Sunwood Drive. This addition will provide necessary consistency to the frontage of Sunwood Drive. The proposed building frontage along Peridot Street is 46%. When combined with the percentage along Sunwood Drive the total building to street frontage is 49%. Plans submitted indicate a building addition in the northern portion of the site. Once this addition is complete the site will meet the required 60% frontage requirement along the Peridot Street. In the interim, proof of parking is planned where the addition will be situated which may result in parking facing Peridot Street NW. Since a building addition is planned it seems onerous to require an architectural wall if it will eventually be removed for the building addition. Staff recommends installation of landscape screening that meets the 3 feet height minimum along the entire west property line extending north of the building edge to the northerly property line to provide parking lot screening and consistent "street presence" of the site along this western edge. As a matter of past policy, a similar provision was allowed as part of site plan approval for the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office. Architectural Standards: The design standards for this site are subject to the provisions laid out in the COR Design Framework referenced in City Code for The COR. The Design Framework places a high emphasis on high -quality architecture, materials, and site design, particularly with regard to building placement, parking areas, and the pedestrian environment. Overall, the submittal meets or exceeds these requirements except as related to off-street parking. Staff would like to call out the following specific items from the Guidelines: Provide parking spaces to support the use through a mix of on -street and surface lots internal to the block. Encourage shared parking solutions. The proposed parking plan utilizes on -street parking, surface lot parking, proof of parking and shared parking with adjacent users including Allina, NAU and PACT Charter school. Parking issues will be further address under the Off - Street Parking discussion. Generally, buildings should be located at the street right-of-way; with no more than 60% of the building beyond the maximum setback. Encourage recessed entries and windows to create street level interest. The proposed building appears to conform to setbacks along Sunwood Drive and Peirdot Street NW. In addition, a condition will be made that will require an architectural wall to be extended along Sunwood Drive and landscaping along Peridot Street NW to meet the 60% building frontage. A diverse mix of materials is encouraged, applied in a variety of proportions, exposures, and detailing, especially along all street frontages. The proposed building proposes a variety of materials and design elements on each elevation acceptable to the COR Design Framework. Proposed materials include brick inlay precast, architectural precast, and architectural masonry,