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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.11.12 Design Review meeting -BYU-I Design Review Committee Meeting #12 00440, 12 00442 BYU-Idaho – Agriscience Project October 11, 2012 – 11:00 am Attendees Design Review Committee: Winston Dyer, Bruce Sutherland, Johnny Watson Applicant: Jedd Walker and Phil Packer of BYUI; Wally Cooper, Jeff Nielsen, and Mehrdad Samie of Cooper Roberts Simonsen Associates Staff: Natalie Powell, John Millar, Elaine McFerrin Winston Dyer welcomed everyone and explained that the Design Review Committee is composed of a P&Z Commissioner, a City Council member, and a professional from the community. The Design Review Committee meets if there is a development issue that may deviate from the design standards stated in the City of Rexburg Development Code Ordinance No. 1026, or the Committee may meet because of the size of a project. The BYU-I Agriscience buildings are a major project. This meeting will give everyone the opportunity to discuss any concerns. Bruce Sutherland stated he appreciates the cooperation and willingness of the University to discuss everything with the City. He appreciates the hard work of the P&Z Commission. Johnny Watson said he is excited to see more about the project. It is an important addition to the University. A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was approved by the City Council on October 3, 2012 for this location and development, to allow Veterinary Service for Livestock (totally enclosed); Livestock Services – Except Veterinary (totally enclosed); and Small Animal Veterinarian Services (totally enclosed) - to include 3 conditions: 1. Control of odors shall be managed, and scrubbers will be added if found necessary. 2. Waste management – review and approval of the City Engineer. 3. Operate the facility in accordance with all codes and regulations of governing boards for the handling and safety of animals, and to also protect the campus and the community. A PowerPoint presentation was given. Colored renderings and a visual wood board model of the project were also shown. Jeff Neilsen said the presentation will help to visualize why the buildings are designed the way they are and why they fit for the University and for Rexburg. The buildings are particularly tailored to the campus and the city. The buildings also reflect what they are being used for. This project has been put together with cohesiveness and coordination. Nothing has been arbitrary. Mehrdad Samie said many people at the college were involved in giving input on the buildings and what elements were important to them. The importance of agriculture in this community was taken into consideration in the project design. Key ideas in the planning: Capitalize on Northeast corner main entry Cross site pedestrian connectivity Encourage collaboration Transparency for visual connectivity Enhance connections to the land Several building materials will be used including concrete, brick, and terracotta. The use of windows adds to the invitingness of the buildings and includes a very large window at the northeast corner of the entry to the Academic Building. To the south of the buildings will be various test agriculture fields of different grass varieties. The Large Animal Building will have a green roof. Winston Dyer said at the September 6th P&Z meeting, the north elevation of the Large Animal Building was of concern because of the long expanse of wall and the necessity to break it up visually. Today, the building elevation looks very good. Jedd Walker said the image is the same but the projector used at the P&Z meeting did not pick up the visual detail. The building does not meet the 40-foot jog distance stated in the code, but he feels the building fits well. The jogs are not needed every 40 feet because of the use of other elements on the buildings. The north elevation appears more transparent, with two large classrooms. Winston Dyer said the Design Review Committee is charged with addressing the concerns of the City and of the community. One condition of the CUP was waste management of the project, to be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer. John Millar said this issue is in process and is still not complete. Winston Dyer said another condition of the CUP is control of odors and the possible use of scrubbers. Jedd Walker said charcoal filters will be put on from day one to recirculate air, clean it and put it back in the building. Wally Cooper wanted the minutes to reflect that they are continuing to work on odor control management. Bruce Sutherland felt the project is very attractive and well done. He likes the transparency and openness. He appreciates the University’s sharing of information on how this project was formulated and how it will progress. He thanked Phil Packer for being a great representative of the University. Johnny Watson thought the project looks beautiful and fits well. Everything is in the volume that is created. There is lots of visual interest. The City’s design standards do not apply very well to the scale of institutional buildings. All of the combined elements make these buildings friendly to a person walking down the street. Winston Dyer stated he agrees with his fellow committee members. He appreciates the perspective of human scale. He thanked everyone and expressed sincere appreciation for the professionalism and efforts taken by the University to keep the City fully informed. The completion date of the Agriscience building project is fall of 2014.