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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOUTH TRANSIT CENTER - PDP - 9-10 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESthe eastern side of the property to minimize disturbances to the residential subdivision. The STC site was purchased by the city for a transit center so the proposed use is in accordance with the city plan, and the lighting for the site will be in accordance with city standards as well. Additionally, in the time since the neighborhood meeting took place the site design has been refined and the transit center and bus guideway have shifted east (away from the residential subdivision) approximately twenty feet. (ix) Project name and previous project names. • The project name is South Transit Center, which was its name during Conceptual Review. Statement of Planning Objectives Page 4 of 4 (ii) Open Space, Buffering, Landscaping, Circulation, Transition Areas, Wetlands and Natural Areas Open Space: • Open space will be provided in the platform interior south of the transit center building. Open space will also be provided at the north end of the site. Buffering: • The site is a substantial distance from residential neighborhoods to the west; however some landscaping will be installed along the west property line. Additionally, substantial buffering will occur along the north, south, and east property lines to screen the parking lot and transit center. Landscaping: • Appropriate landscaping will be installed in the parking area, around the transit center building, and at the north and south sides of the site. Circulation: • Site will be accessed from the south via existing Fossil Boulevard and in the future from the north via the Mason Corridor (BRT Buses only). Additionally, the Mason Regional Bike trail provides bicycle access to the site along the western edge. Wetlands and Natural Areas: • There are no wetlands or natural areas on site. (iii) Proposed ownership and maintenance of public and private open space areas. • Transfort will own and maintain the public and private open space areas. (iv) Estimate of Number of Employees for Commercial and Industrial Uses • Seven. (v) Description of rationale behind assumptions and choices made by the applicant • This project will comply with all applicable city standards in an effort to create a satisfactory addition to the City of Fort Collins. (vi) Variances • Two Modification of Standards and a parking alternative compliance are included in this submittal. (vii) How Conflicts Between Land Uses are Being Avoided • There are no wetlands or natural areas on the site. However, owl nests have been identified on site and will be addressed per the recommendations proposed in the Raptor Nest Survey for South Transit Center, which is included in the PDP Submittal. (viii) Neighborhood meeting • A neighborhood meeting took place on December 2, 2009 and the comments received were from residents located in the subdivision west of the proposed STC regarding the proximity of the project to their homes. This residential development is located approximately 1,000 feet away from the proposed STC project and elevated railroad tracks exist between the residents and the STC property. Existing vegetation along the western edge of the site has been retained to buffer the two uses, and supplementary tree plantings are proposed to enhance this vegetative buffer. The transit center building is 2 stories tall and the parking lot servicing the transit center has been located on Statement of Planning Objectives Page 3 of 4 high R-value and potential to minimizes thermal breaks. Where the building meets ground surfaces a ground -face CMU block will be used for durability and to give the building a strong visual base. Above this base a composite material of either fiber reinforced concrete panels or an eternit composite panel as a part of a rain screen system will be used. The rain screen system creates a cavity behind the finish material which acts as a drainage plane and allows air circulation behind the material to keep the cavity dry while minimizing conduction of heat into the building envelope. Cast -in -place or precast concrete will create the vertical fins of the lobby that tie to concrete beams carrying the joists for the roof of the lobby . The vertical fins provide shade and glare control to the glazing of the lobby. Concrete will also be used for the wall separating th entry vestibule from the lobby to create a trombe wall. Using the mass of the concrete to collect heat from the south facing clerestory window will help offset energy costs in the winter. In the summer this wall is shaded from the sun by the roof overhang. The sloped roofs of the lobby and driver's break room will be constructed of standing seam metal roofing over a rigid insulation with nail base on metal decking. The canopies flanking the building and platform provide shelter for passengers and shading for glazing. The canopy structure is a standing seam metal roof over an exposed structural wood deck supported by a steel structure resting on a concrete base. Sustainability Sustainability has been a dominant factor in the design of this project. The design team has used the U. S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED Green Building Rating System as a guide and will achieve a "Gold" certification upon completion, and will continue to explore strategies to move beyond LEED "Gold" to a fully net -zero energy project. Sustainable design features incorporated into the project include: • In -floor radiant heat throughout the facility, using a high -efficiency boiler. ■ Evaporative cooling. ■ Permeable concrete pavers used for hardscape on the passenger loading platforms to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality. ■ Water conservation optimized by use of dual -flush toilets and low -flow faucets, urinals and shower heads. ■ Energy conservation maximized by highly efficient mechanical equipment specifications, performance and controls, and highly efficient lighting fixtures with automatic daylight and occupancy sensor controls. ■ Extensive daylighting and views to the outdoors throughout the facility. ■ Enhanced indoor air quality through the use of low-VOC materials, furnishings and casework, high -efficiency filters and carbon dioxide occupancy sensors. ■ Bicycle racks in excess of local requirements provided with the majority of the spaces being provided with cover. ■ Maximized use of recycled materials. Statement of Planning Objectives Page 2 of 4 Statement of Planning Objectives South Transit Center (1) Statement of appropriate City Plan Principals and Policies The proposed South Transit Center is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan as per the following: • The South Transit Center (STC) will provide the opportunity for the reduction in use of the private automobile, which promotes good air quality while advancing compact development through the use of mass transit. Both bicycle and pedestrian modes of transportation will be accommodated at STC, and the project is being designed to minimize soil and water pollution while being efficient with its energy use. There are no natural areas or hazardous materials on site. (LU-1, T-1, T-2, T-4, T-5, CAD-2, ENV-1, ENV-2, ENV-4, ENV-5) ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN NARRATIVE Overview The South Transit Center is a transportation hub located at the south terminus of the Mason Corridor, a 5.5-mile multi -modal transportation corridor running north -south along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad through the heart of Fort Collins. Improvements will include a new 4,500 sq. ft. building, 10 bus bays for Bus Rapid Transit and Transfort fixed -route buses, covered passenger waiting areas, a 170-space park and ride facility, as well as bike and pedestrian trail connections. Building Areas Building areas are arranged around a 1200 sq. ft. entry vestibule and lobby that contain public restrooms, a ticketing and customer service counter, passenger waiting areas and a small coffee shop. The lobby has been designed to provide flexibility in building operation allowing access to portions of the building while the remaining areas can be secured. Visibility from the lobby and ticketing counter to individual bus bays has been maintained to allow waiting passengers to view arriving buses and customer services representatives to monitor the platform. Building entrances have been located to minimize the negative effects of prevailing winds, maximize solar access and be easily identifiable to patrons. Two private offices, workroom, information technology room and conference room are located adjacent to the ticketing counter. Two entrances accessed from either side of the platform provide drivers with a private access to restrooms, break room, locker room and a shower. Mechanical and electrical systems are consolidated and have been provided with a separate exterior entrance for maintenance access. Building Materials Insulated concrete form walls extending from the footing the full height of the wall will be used in all exterior wall applications with the exception of the lobby. This wall system has been selected for its Statement of Planning Objectives Page 1 of 4