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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDESIGN REVIEW MINUTES 7/29/14 - 14-00315 - Monkey Bars - New Commercial Building1 Design Review Committee Meeting 14 00315 Monkey Bars – 348 & 366 Dividend Drive July 29, 2014 - 11:00 am Attendees Design Review Committee: Bruce Sutherland, Bart Stevens, Brad Wolfe Applicant: Johnny Watson of JRW & Associates; Kris Nielson of Monkey Bars City: Val Christensen, Elaine McFerrin Bruce Sutherland opened the meeting. The Design Review Committee is composed of a P&Z Commissioner (Bruce Sutherland), a City Council member (Brad Wolfe) or the Mayor, and a professional from the community (Bart Stevens). Several other individuals serve on the committee as necessary. The Committee usually meets if there is a development issue that is non-conforming or differs from the Design Standards requirements that are stated in the City of Rexburg Development Code Ordinance No. 1115. Val Christensen clarified the reason for today’s meeting. The subject property on Dividend Drive is zoned Light Industrial (LI). Design standards for the LI zone are not specific and are done on a case by case basis for each project. It does not have to follow the same requirements as in commercial zones. Per the Development Code Ordinance No. 1115, Section 3.20.140 Light Industrial – Project Plan Approval: “All Project plans for projects in the LI zone must be prepared and engineered by A/E professionals and be submitted for review and approval from conception on by the Design Review Boards….” Today the Design Review Committee needs to determine if this project meets the spirit of what was required in this zone in the past. Bart Stevens clarified that if projects are located on property in the LI zone, the projects are set up to be reviewed; there are not specific design standards. Val Christensen said that was correct. Kris Nielson said the building will be the headquarters (distribution, offices) for the business and will not involve retail. They want to elevate the look of the whole business park with their development. Johnny Watson explained that they are basing the design of the project with consideration of previous reviews of LI buildings that they have built. The project will be located close to the AMET and Premier buildings. “Eyes to the Street” for vehicles and pedestrians going by is important and is addressed The property backs up to the railroad tracks on the east. The building size is about 12,000 square feet. The building will be a pre-engineered metal building. The building faces west. They may landscape the entrance. The people coming to and going from the building will mainly be employees. It is functionally based for in and out and parking for the employees. The building will have a distinct office area and a distinct warehouse area. 2 Mr. Watson stated that on the front of the building there will be different types of metal panels with different colors for variation. There will be a canopy over the main entrance. The building is simple but professional looking and fits in with the surroundings. Val Christensen said the front of the building looks fantastic. He said there are standard requirements for buffering the parking lot to minimize the visual impact. The back side (east) of the building next to the railroad tracks is the most visible and will be the first building here that will do so along this street. He asked if there would be any kind of buffer – possibly some trees to break the visual line. Today’s decisions would set precedent for other lots in the future. Johnny Watson said they had not planned on buffering the east side but they are willing to do so if the Committee finds it necessary. Bruce Sutherland thought some simple buffering such as a couple of trees would be a positive step. Brad Wolfe agreed. Bart Stevens said his concern is consistency – treating everyone the same. For the future perhaps the City Council could look at issues like this one and determine some type of standard to go by for guidance. There was consensus of the Design Review Committee that the presented site plan and elevations are satisfactory. It was suggested by the Committee that the developer consider planting some trees on the east side as a buffer. The Committee members thanked the applicants. The City is glad to have this business in Rexburg. The building will be a positive addition to the community.